Photo:© Kool Cats Photography, via Flickr.

Some say that there are two types of gardener: the true gardener and the tidy gardener. The true gardener has the time, patience and knowledge to care for a garden on a long-term basis and the tidy gardener is one who likes the idea of a garden, but doesn’t have the time to care for it.

If you’re a tidy gardener with a lovely garden but you just don’t have the time or the energy to care for it, consider planting ornamental grasses that will require minimal upkeep and little fuss.

Ornamental grass are a great addition to any garden. These striking plants come in a wide range of colors, sizes and shapes and just adding a few of them to your front or your back garden can create real impact.

Photo:© Swallowtail Garden Seeds, via Flickr.

Grasses are popular due to their striking look and almost exotic feel, yet they require minimum care and attention. Most species are very tolerant and can grow in most types of soil, and despite their beauty, they are not appealing to average garden pests such as snails, slugs, and caterpillars.

Photo:© Phil Parker, via Flickr.

How to Care for Ornamental Grass
Ornamental grasses require minimum upkeep throughout the year. In fact, they only really need to be pruned with a pair of grass trimmers about once a year when the plant gets too dense. The general rule of thumb is to leave 2 to 3 inches behind when pruning smaller grasses and leave 4 to 5 inches for longer grasses. If you’re looking for grass trimmers, Tesco stocks a large variety to suit every budget.

Every three to four years you might find that the grass has begun to outgrow its plot in your garden. To deal with this, spade off pieces of the plant to make it more manageable and then replant the cuttings as soon as you possibly can in a different part of your garden. In this way, the initial purchase of just a few plants can soon fill your whole garden in just a couple of years.

Photo: © JerPhotography Twentyten via Flickr.

Which Ornamental Grass Should You Choose?
All ornamental grasses have their own unique characteristics, but some of the most popular include purple millet, maiden grass, and zebra grass. Purple millet features a beautiful deep purple foliage which attracts birds.  Maiden grass, which can grow up to eight feet tall, features silver blooms. Zebra grass can be grown in pots and features striking yellow foliage.

Having a garden doesn’t mean having to work on it all year round. Just buy some ornamental grass and a pair of grass trimmers and you’ll have a garden to be proud of.

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