A grass is often far too colorless on its own. A perennial, on the other hand, often lacks dynamism and lightness. However, when the two are combined, wonderful climaxes can emerge. But what is the best way to combine grasses with perennials?
What is the best way to combine grasses and perennials?
To combine grasses and perennials harmoniously, consider factors such as foliage color, flower color, flowering time, location requirements and height of growth. Suitable combinations include pennisetum grass with coneflowers, feather grass with sedum or miscanthus with autumn anemones. Additionally, grasses and perennials can be used as bouquets.
What factors should you consider when combining grasses with perennials?
Considerations should be made in advance in order to ultimately achieve a fantastic interplay of grasses and perennials. When choosing grasses, consider the following perennial factors:
- Foliage color: green, gray-green, blue-green or yellow-green
- Flower color: from white to yellow, red, pink and violet to blue
- Flowering time: April to October
- Location requirements: sunny to partially shaded, sandy to loamy soil
- Growth height: 15 to 150 cm
As a rule, any foliage color on perennials harmonizes with grasses, as grasses are rather plain. But the growth height of the respective perennial should be tailored to that of the grass.
When combining perennials with grasses, consider the relevant location requirements. There are perennials that grow best in the sun and those that prefer to live in the shade. Preferences also vary when it comes to grasses.
A combination of grasses and perennials is most intoxicating when both plants are in bloom at the same time. The majority of ornamental grasses bloom from late summer onwards. Therefore, perennials that bloom from August are usually used in combination with grasses.
Combine grasses and perennials in the bed or in the pot
Perennials such as autumn asters, autumn anemones, coneflowers and sedum are often combined with grasses. Here you can let off steam and let your tastes run wild. However, in order to show off the combination of grasses and perennials perfectly, it is recommended to place the perennials in the foreground and the grasses either behind them or between individual perennials.
Popular grasses to combine with various perennials include:
- miscanthus
- Feather grass
- Pennisetum grass
- Diamondgrass
- Pipegrass
- Sedge
- Pampas grass
Combine Pennisetum grass with coneflower
With the Pennisetum as a companion plant, the coneflower gets that certain something. Together, the two form an almost tangible symphony. They also have similar location requirements and their growth heights match each other.
Combine feather grass with stonecrop
The feather grass suits the sedum because, like it, it stays rather low. Since the sedum appears rather massive and strict and lacks balance and tenderness, the feather grass comes in handy. It makes up for what the sedum lacks and adds some magic to the overall effect.
Combine miscanthus with autumn anemones
Autumn anemones are perfect as companion plants for the towering Miscanthus. The miscanthus gives its already lively and gentle appearance a touch of structure. Place these two sun-drenched plants one behind the other so that the miscanthus can easily surround the autumn anemones from behind.
Combine grasses and perennials as a bouquet in the vase
Which bouquet looks perfect only with perennials? It is the grasses that provide the icing on the cake and make bouquets appear natural. Diamond grass, feather grass, switchgrass, pipe grass and hare's tail grass are particularly suitable for bouquets.
The following perennials are often used in vases and in combination with grasses:
- Asters
- Coneflower
- Dahlias
- hydrangeas
- woman's coat
- larkspur
- Phlox
- Anemones
