Why are ornamental grasses so popular?
• low maintenance • make a nice rustling sound in the wind • hardiness and longevity • largely unaffected by disease and pests • especially appropriate for golf courses • four seasons of interest • variety of size and form • speed of growth and vigor • useful in a wide range of soil types • revitalizes poor soils • largely deer resistant • softens massive projects • sway gently in the slightest breeze • provides shade • often at their best in the Fall • make wonderful dried flower arrangements (thanks to Anne Kivari) • many varieties are drought tolerant, once established (thanks to Richard A. Barry) • fantastic for container planting (R Barry) • great for slope stablization (R Barry) • effective as specimens in borders, ground covers and other designs (R Barry) • easy to propagate and test for other areas (R Barry) • provides a habitat for birds and other wildlife (thanks to Derek Wood) • stems that have been cut off in spring make good mulch or compost material (D Wood) • provides a
