Grasses For Late Interest by Martin Blow

Ornamental grasses are popular for their long season of interest and their ability to provide a backdrop for flowers in summer. In late autumn some grasses become the stars in their own right with plumes of flower that catch the low sunlight and drops of dew. These are three of my favourite types.

Perhaps the best and easiest to grow are the Miscanthus, commonly known as silver grass as some have a silvery stripe along the middle of each leaf. In autumn and winter, they come into flower with silky upright tassels in bronze or pinkish brown. I love the tall varieties as the flowers look stunning against a blue autumn sky or in silhouette against the fading light in the evening, but there are shorter, even dwarf varieties as well. There are also variegated types with bold horizontal gold bands across the leaves. Miscanthus can be planted singly or in drifts and will make large imposing clumps in time. They are easy to grow and tolerate sandy and clay soils but not prolonged flooding. Flowering is best in a sunny spot. They are easy to care for as well, just cut them down to about 6-12” / 15-30cm tall in late winter before new growth starts in spring.

Molinia or moor grass is a tough survivor taking dry, wet, cold, and hot conditions equally well, but they won’t thrive in chalky soils. The narrow sprays of flower appear in late summer, but the full glory comes in late autumn or early winter as the leaves and stems take on shades of pale gold or even orange. In late winter gales the stems obligingly detach from the base and fall over, ready to collect up without the need to prune. There is a big range of heights to choose from, starting with 1ft / 60cm dwarves, up to 6ft / 180cm giants.

Calamagrostis is a mouthful of a name for an elegant and attractive grass, and the common name of feather reed grass is only a little better! The plume-like flowers appear in early autumn and last well into winter, although they keep best when sheltered from strong winds. They like good moist soil and not too much shade. In autumn and winter, they become bejewelled with dew or frost and glisten in the slanting beams of the morning sun.

So, when it’s time to stop mowing the lawn grass, stand back and admire the grasses in the flower border.

Janet & I organise Plant Hunters’ Fairs, specialist plant fairs at wonderful locations including Middleton Hall & Gardens and The 1620s House & Garden at Donington Le Heath. Please see www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk for a full list of our 2026 plant fairs.