RHS Hampton Court 2017 - Shop the look
hannah read
In this blog we thought we would revisit part of our display from our Hampton Court flower show stand this year, to illustrate how you can achieve an ornamental grass planting scheme in your own garden.
In this section of the display, we used different varieties to introduce colour, texture and height. The varieties ranged from Pennisteums to Miscanthus and all worked harmoniously together.
The big grass you can see in this image is the Pennisetum Villosum. The timing of the flower show meant that the foliage of the Pennisetum villosum was displaying its mass of white, fluffy caterpillar-like seed heads. These seed heads last well into the winter, adding interest and texture through the seasons. This grass is a good choice for where the conditions are hot and dry.
The gorgeous small pink grass is another Pennisetum; the Pennisetum orientale. This is a smaller Pennisetum with mounds of narrow green foliage which has a mass of pinky white plumes. Its soft pink colouring complemented the villosum’s white seed heads perfectly. Again, this is a good ornamental grass for hot, dry conditions.
One of our favourites at Meadowgate is the Pennisetum macrourum. It featured in our display, giving height and drama. Its glaucus, strappy leaves produce many long, thin yellow buff bullrush-like heads. A stunning grass that looks like a firework going off in the garden! It’s a good choice for screening.
Finally, the Miscanthus Grosse Fontaine. Miscanthus sinensis Grosse Fontane's definition is Large Fountain and as the name suggests this grass is large with silver red plumes. The silver red plumes worked perfectly with the colouring of the Pennisetums to create a cohesive display which could be achieved in any domestic garden setting.
Of course, the glass fish really finished off our stand - with their jewel-like colours popping through the swaying grasses.
All of the grasses from our RHS Hampton Court display are available to buy online through our website or directly at the Nursery.