Companion Plants for Tall Ornamental Grasses: Enhance Your Garden's Beauty

Oleh Anonymous June 30, 2023 Post a Comment

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Tall ornamental grasses bring a unique beauty and charm to any garden. They can serve as focal points or be used as fillers in mixed borders, providing height and texture. However, planting them alone can sometimes make the garden look incomplete. Companion planting can help to enhance their aesthetic appeal and provide additional benefits such as pest control and soil enrichment. In this article, we will discuss the best companion plants for tall ornamental grasses.

Companion Plants for Tall Ornamental Grasses:

1. Coneflowers:

Coneflowers are an excellent choice for companion planting with tall ornamental grasses. They bloom in mid-summer and have daisy-like flowers that come in a variety of colors. They also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which help to increase the biodiversity of your garden. Coneflowers prefer well-drained soil and full sun, making them ideal for planting alongside tall ornamental grasses.

How to plant coneflowers with tall ornamental grasses:

When planting coneflowers with tall ornamental grasses, make sure to give them enough space to grow. Plant them in groups of three or more to create a focal point. Coneflowers can also be planted in a zig-zag pattern between the grasses to break up the monotony of the planting scheme.

2. Black-Eyed Susan:

Black-eyed Susan is another great companion plant for tall ornamental grasses. They have bright yellow petals with dark centers that bloom from mid-summer to early fall. They also attract pollinators and provide a source of food for birds in the winter months. Black-eyed Susan prefers well-drained soil and full sun, making them perfect for planting alongside tall ornamental grasses.

How to plant black-eyed Susan with tall ornamental grasses:

Plant black-eyed Susan in groups of three or more to create a visual impact. They also look great when planted in clusters between the tall ornamental grasses. Make sure to water them regularly during their growing season to keep them healthy and blooming.

3. Salvia:

Salvia is another great companion plant for tall ornamental grasses. They have long spikes of flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. They come in a variety of colors, including blue, purple, pink, and red. Salvia attracts hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden, adding to its biodiversity. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun, making them ideal for planting alongside tall ornamental grasses.

How to plant salvia with tall ornamental grasses:

When planting salvia with tall ornamental grasses, make sure to give them enough space to grow. Plant them in groups of three or more to create a focal point. Salvia can also be planted in a zig-zag pattern between the grasses to break up the monotony of the planting scheme.

4. Russian Sage:

Russian sage is a tough, drought-tolerant herbaceous perennial that pairs well with tall ornamental grasses. It has silver-grey foliage and small lavender-blue flowers that bloom from mid-summer to fall. Russian sage attracts bees and butterflies to your garden and is resistant to deer and rabbits. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun, making it an excellent choice for planting alongside tall ornamental grasses.

How to plant Russian sage with tall ornamental grasses:

Plant Russian sage in groups of three or more to create visual interest. They also look great when planted in clusters between the tall ornamental grasses. Make sure to water them regularly during their growing season to keep them healthy and blooming.

5. Daylilies:

Daylilies are a popular choice for companion planting with tall ornamental grasses. They have trumpet-shaped flowers that come in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, red, and pink. Daylilies attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden, adding to its biodiversity. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun, making them ideal for planting alongside tall ornamental grasses.

How to plant daylilies with tall ornamental grasses:

When planting daylilies with tall ornamental grasses, make sure to give them enough space to grow. Plant them in groups of three or more to create a focal point. Daylilies can also be planted in a zig-zag pattern between the grasses to break up the monotony of the planting scheme.

Other Companion Plants:

Apart from the plants mentioned above, there are several other companion plants that pair well with tall ornamental grasses. These include:

Verbena: With its showy clusters of flowers, verbena adds color and beauty to any garden. It attracts butterflies and bees and prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Butterfly weed: This bright orange flower attracts butterflies and adds a pop of color to any garden. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Blanketflower: With its daisy-like flowers, blanketflower adds a touch of whimsy to any garden. It attracts butterflies and prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Coreopsis: With its bright yellow flowers, coreopsis adds a burst of sunshine to your garden. It attracts pollinators and prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

Companion planting is an excellent way to enhance the beauty of your garden while providing additional benefits such as pest control and soil enrichment. When planting tall ornamental grasses, consider pairing them with one or more of the companion plants mentioned in this article. By doing so, you'll create a garden that's not only beautiful but also beneficial to the environment.

FAQs:

1. What is a companion plant?

A companion plant is a plant that is grown for its beneficial properties when planted alongside another plant. Companion planting can help to improve soil fertility, repel pests, and attract beneficial insects.

2. How do I choose companion plants for my garden?

When choosing companion plants for your garden, consider the type of plant you're planting and its growing conditions. Look for plants that have similar water and light requirements and that bloom at different times to provide seasonal interest.

3. Can companion planting help to reduce pest problems in my garden?

Yes, companion planting can help to reduce pest problems in your garden by attracting beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings that feed on pests like aphids.

4. Do I need to fertilize my companion plants?

It depends on the plant. Some companion plants, like legumes, can help to fix nitrogen in the soil and reduce the need for fertilizer. However, other plants may require regular fertilization to stay healthy and bloom.

5. Can I grow companion plants in containers?

Yes, many companion plants can be grown in containers. Make sure to choose a container that's large enough for the plant and that has good drainage. Use a quality potting mix and fertilize regularly to keep your plants healthy.