"Newsletter"

'Prairie Drop Seed' Grass softens the transition between the 'Tiger Eyes' Golden Sumac and 'Angel Wing' Begonia.

Hello Plant Lovers,

At this point in the season, you're probably firming up ideas for new gardens, or deciding on changes in this year's gardens for your home or business. Did you know Mayflower carries 65 different varieties of grasses which could provide just the touch of the unexpected you've been seeking? (Enter "grass" in the Quick Search in our website Plant List for details.)

Grasses - Near Superstar Status

In the last two decades, ornamental grasses have leaped from obscurity to near super star status in landscapes and gardens throughout the world. The causes of this newfound interest are as varied as the grass varieties themselves:

• They are championed by naturalists seeking to restore native plant communities;
• sought out by environmentalists searching for plants that demand less maintenance, chemicals and water to thrive;
• and they are prized by designers who are looking for unique and dramatic form, color and texture.

No garden is complete without the wispy, kinetic character the leaves and flowers provide. No group of plants is better at extending decorative interest in the landscape into the fall and winter months. The linear foliage provides the savvy designer with endless possibilities for adding drama and contrast to the typical urban landscape or an appropriate sense of repose and harmony to a rural scene. No matter what your gardening style or location, Mayflower will provide ideas and inspiration for the effective use of grasses in your setting.

"Thriller" and "Filler" Grasses:

You likely have heard us talk about "Thrillers", "Fillers" and "Spillers". In the ground or in container plantings, Mayflower's selection of annual and perennial grasses will provide "Thrillers" and "Fillers" that make even the most design challenged gardener look like a real pro. Here are some design ideas.

Millet provides height and drama in this container.

'Prairie Drop Seed' Grass. (Top right) An in-ground planting featuring 'Prairie Drop Seed' Grass as "Fillers" combined with the striking 'Tiger Eyes' Golden Sumac. In the foreground we have a contrasting mass planting of our favorite 'Angel Wing' begonia.

'King Tut' Papyrus and 'Lancelot' Coleus.

'Jester' Millet. (Left) The richly colored millets are making a strong showing in the ornamental grass category. This container companions 'Jester' millet in a harmonius combination using pink toned Zinnia 'Dreamland', 'Million Bells Apricot' and bicolored yellow/pink Lantana 'Confetti'. Balance is provided by the trailing silver Lotus Vine.

Juncus 'Blue Arrow' towers above white Angelonia and trailing Dichondra.

'King Tut' Papyrus. (Right) Another grass-like plant used very effectively in the sunken garden at Rotary Gardens in Janesville is the 'King Tut' Papyrus. Its fireworks-like flower heads make a bold statement as it welcomes you to the garden. Surrounding the Papyrus is a Coleus that is bound to become very popular in the years to come. The wine colored fine textured leaves of 'Lancelot' make a worthy "Filler", holding its own in the presence of the "King".

Juncus 'Blue Arrow'. (Left) This dramatic brightly glazed container utilizes a grass-like plant Juncus 'Blue Arrow' as an upright "Thriller". The "Filler" plant in the center is Angelonia in its white form. The "Spiller" completing this simple but elegant composition is 'Silver Falls' Dichondra.

Grass-like beauties from left to right, Bromeliad, Dianella, Phormium and Carex.

Grass-like Plants. (Above) There are many more exciting grass-like plants to be found at Mayflower, providing a multitude of ways to add visual excitement to your plantings. Instead of grass, substitute one of the following: Bromeliad, Dianella, Phormium or Carex. It's time to play with color and texture!

Happy Gardening,

Jan Wos
Owner
Mayflower Greenhouse

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