Ornamental grasses are an excellent proposition for a balconyMany of them grow well in large pots and boxes on the balcony, being an ideal background for annual plants planted in early summer. The multitude of varieties of grasses allows you to create interesting compositions from them, thanks to which the balcony will acquire a unique charm. Seewhat species and varieties of grasses grow best on balconies !
Decorative grasses are perfect for a balcony
Fig. © Rafał Okułowicz
Ornamental grasses planted in potsgive lightness to the compositions.They can also enrich them with dynamism, texture and color. They work well as filling empty spaces in pots. Anotheradvantage of ornamental grasses, predisposing them to be grown on the balcony , is high resistance to drought and hot sun. Thanks to this, they are perfect for balconies of people who are constantly in a hurry.
The best varieties and species of ornamental grasses for planting in pots on the balcony:
1. Gray fescue
One of the most popular ornamental grasses. Its steel-gray leaves will surely enrich balcony pots. Forms small tufts up to 40 cm high. It is evergreen, sothis grass can also decorate the balcony in winterIt is better when it grows from not very fertile soil, then it is more vital and has more intense leaf color.
Gray fescue in composition with heather
Fig. © Piotr Moliński
2. Red Reed Reed 'Karl Foerster'
One of the tallest ornamental grasses, reaching even 180 cm in height. The variety is very desirable due to the abundance of flowering and low cultivation requirements. It can be used as anatural grass screen on the balconyIt is best to plant the Karl Foerster reed in larger pots (minimum 40 cm in diameter). It starts blooming in June.
Red Reed Reed 'Karl Foerster'
Photo. © Piotr Moliński
3. Hakonechloa slender
Hakonechloa slender, also referred to as bamboo grass, is certainly one of the most beautiful ornamental grasses. It is a yellow grass with striped leaves. A thin green stripe runs in the middle of the leaf. The leaves are arranged in a cascade, so the hakonechloalooks very good in multi-storey balcony arrangementsThe height is 30 to 90 cm. It grows best in a place with a little shade.In excessively sunny places, the sun can burn delicate leaves, while in strong shade the leaves may become blurred. It likes moist, quite well-drained and fertile soil. It gets tired in very dry soils as well as in very clayey and compacted soils. It is not fully frost-proof, so it is better to protect the base of the tuft with garden bark or conifer branches for the winter, and wrap the pot with nonwoven agrotextile.
Slender Hakonechloa 'Aurea'
Fig. © Piotr Moliński
4. Cylindrical imperata 'Red Baron'
This ornamental grass quickly won the hearts of many gardeners and garden owners. Its red discolored leaves look beautiful. The 'Red Baron' variety is a grass not too large. It has long and medium narrow leaves directed upwards, up to 40 cm long. The soil in the pot for imperata 'Red Baron' should be moist and well-drained.
Imperata 'Red Baron' and Japanese sedge 'Ice Dance'
Fig. © Piotr Moliński
5. Japanese Rozplenica 'Fireworks'
It is the most spectacular of the mounds, especially at the beginning of autumn.It has white-green leaves that turn raspberry color in autumnThe more sun, the more intensely colored the leaves are. The variety 'Fireworks' reaches up to 40 cm in height. At the end of September, characteristic soft inflorescences appear. They grow on thick stems. They have a pinkish tinge. It is unfortunately very sensitive to frost in our climate, but when planted in a pot and kept in a cool (about 5-10 ° C) light room, it can overwinter until spring. Personally, he treats her as an annual reproductive plant.
Japanese Rozplenica 'Fireworks'
Fig. © Piotr Moliński
6. Japanese Rozplenica 'Little Honey'
It is one of the smallest specimens, as it grows only up to 20 cm in height, and during flowering up to 30 cm.Small size of this grass predisposes it to pot-growing on the balconyCreates small clumps of sharp, thin leaves. The small, white-colored nerve of the leaf adds glow to the green stalks. The inflorescences appear from late July to October and are less frequent and smaller than other inflorescences such as 'Hameln' or 'Moudry'.
7. Purple debauchery 'Vertigo'
It is a beautiful ornamental grass, unfortunately sensitive to frost.is often planted in pots as the main compositional element. Unfortunately, wintering on the balcony is impossible. The 'Vertigo' plant must be moved to a bright and cool room if we want to store it. This grass has purple-cherry leaves, sharp and stiff, and very strong and elaborate roots. It needs to be planted only in large and clay pots.
Purple scrub 'Vertigo'
Fig. © Piotr Moliński
8. Rozplenica osciista 'Sky Rocket'
I have had this variety in my collection for two years. It is the only one with striped leaves, which makes it different from its competitors. The leaves are green with white margins. The habit, growth rate and flowering time are similar to 'Rubrum Dwarf'. It is a bit more sensitive to frost than other varieties, so it is better to treat it asannual grass in balcony compositions
Oscosa Rozplenica 'Sky Rocket'
Fig. © Piotr Moliński
9. Chinese miscanthus 'Gold Bar'
Chinese miscanthus' Gold Bar 'isone of the smallest miscanthus we can find, perfect for planting in potsIt is a liliput compared to the most popular miscanthus, such as:' Zebrinus', 'Kleine Fontaine ',' Variegatus'.I have it at home and around August it is only 30 cm. It creates small hairs of transversely striped leaves. Like most miscanthus, the small 'Gold Bar' loves sunny positions and grows best in such places. The leaves are better colored and have a more visible yellowish leaf pattern. It is satisfied with moist, clay-sandy soil.
Chinese miscanthus 'Gold Bar'
Fig. © Piotr Moliński
Chinese Miscanthus 'Cute One'
It is a new variety of Miscanthus, which grows only up to 40 cm. It has thin green leaves. The soil and lighting requirements are the same as those of Miscanthus 'Gold Bar'. It rarely blooms, because unfortunately we have too short years in our country. Nevertheless, itsfoliage looks very interesting, especially in a pot on the balcony
Chinese miscanthus 'Cute One'
Fig. © Piotr Moliński
As you can see, there are many species and varieties of ornamental grasses that we can safely plant in pots on the balcony. A large variety of varieties and ease of cultivation give numerous opportunities to create beautiful balcony compositions from grasses.
Eng. landscape architect Piotr Moliński
