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Ornamental grass

duncan.smith775duncan.smith775 Posts: 37
in Plants
I have a few ornamental grasses which are not doing very well. They are in a dry shady area at the moment. I am considering putting them in containers which I can then stand around the garden. Will they thrive in containers? The ones I see in garden centres all look great but they don’t look so good when I put them in the ground. Any thoughts on this will be gratefully received.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Not possible to offer advice without knowing what they are  :)
    Most are better in the ground, and the type of ground depends on the type of grass. Some are fine in containers, but they'll need more care, as with any potted plant.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    As @Fairygirl says, if we don't know which grasses they are we can't give advice. Perhaps you have ones that prefer damper sites, e.g. deschampsia or sedges, and that's why they're struggling. Or it could be they are sun-lovers and the site is too shady? If you are unsure as to the names of the grasses, post a pic and someone will ID them and then advise.
  • duncan.smith775duncan.smith775 Posts: 37
    The main ones are Pennisteum Fairy Tails Fountain Grass
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Does like a bit of sun. 

    Luzula nivea or Hakonechloa would be better for shade
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    https://www.knollgardens.co.uk/product/pennisetum-fairy-tails/
    The grass you have likes sun so it may be under-performing because it is not in its ideal spot. You could try lifting and putting in a pot. Here is the advice from the RHS on container cultivation  https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=140.

    The other thing is how well-established was the grass when you planted it out? Was it pot-bound with little chance of the roots travelling out from the rootball? Or had it come to the nursery/garden centre having recently been potted on, with poor root structure? Both would affect the its ability to get going once in ground.

    It's failing to thrive so I think you have nothing to lose by moving it from its current spot.
  • duncan.smith775duncan.smith775 Posts: 37
    Thanks for all the advice
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The other thing to remember is that those Pennisetums aren't hardy, so where you live is a factor.
    I would have to overwinter those undercover here.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • duncan.smith775duncan.smith775 Posts: 37
    Oh okay. I’ll keep them in the greenhouse over winter then. Many thanks
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