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Grass is where it's at, man. And no, your faithful plant person has not regressed back to the '60s. Rather, I'm referring to the fact ornamental grasses are fast be-coming a must-have in the garden or in containers.
And ornamental grasses look great, regardless of the time of year.
Pure Prairie Ornamental Grasses in Acme, Alta., a family-owned seed business, has been growing grasses for years.
The Moore family's business evolved from their idea that flax, canary seed, copper wheat, starburst millet and other selected prairie grasses can become, without much effort on the gardener's part, welcome additions to most any garden in the city or the country.
"The wonderful thing about ornamental grasses is that they are very low maintenance right from the start," says John Moore.
"You spread the seed, give it a light rake and the seed takes off. It really is as easy as that."
Ornamental grasses have caught the attention of Jeff de Jong, head of horticulture education at the Calgary Zoo as well.
"The most effective way to use the grasses in a residential landscape is to keep the look natural. In my garden, I am sowing the seeds in clumps and in between the perennials. They will add an exciting textural element to the herbaceous perennial border. As the border reaches its peak in the summer, these grasses will shine brightly well into the autumn and winter months."
More natural gardens, part of what is now called the "prairie garden movement" have naturalistic appeal and provide great backyard habitats for birds and insects.
"The bird attraction is a wonderful benefit to adding ornamental grasses to the garden," says Moore. "The grasses can be harvested and used as a natural bird feeder in the fall and winter to attract and feed migrating and non-migrating birds."
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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