Gardeners of all stripes appreciate the versatility. Ornamental grasses can serve as a lush green backdrop or a contrasting texture.
Plant canary grass around daisies for a beautiful texture and height combination.
When the daisies are spent, the canary grass will continue to mature and ripen.
Left to overwinter in the garden, canary and other ornamental grasses offer the garden a winter palette with snow-catching beauty.
"Ornamental grasses will jazz up any garden. They have a way of tying together all the other plants in the beds," says Moore.
"Sudan grass is a magnificent grass -- dominant and eye-catching. It can grow five feet high, which makes it an interesting addition against a fence or wall as a backdrop.
"Or you might choose to centre it in a flower bed and surround it with other ornamental grasses and colourful flowers. The combinations are endless. In the fall, the cut grasses make beautiful dried bouquets. "
If you're wondering if these grasses will invade and take over your garden, Moore, an experienced farmer and gardener, says the species chosen are not invasive.
"You may get a few volunteers, but those can be easily removed if you choose not to grow them again."
De Jong says, "I have not heard of any of these seed varieties becoming invasive or problematic. I have plans to gather seed and use it in the border again next year."
For more information, visit www.williammoorefarms.ca.
-- with files from William Moore Farms
