While the boxwood for its density grew and the rich and evergreen leaves are popular, decorative grasses have this airy, casual look and points, among other things, with their waves and a number of different colors that also change seasonally. Even the dry grasses in winter are still considered attractive and upgrade the otherwise bald garden. At the same time, the hedge bushes are the perfect resting pole to the dynamic grass in wind. So it will always be worthwhile if you combine boxwood and grasses. But what should be considered?
Interesting facts that speak for a station wagon
- The boxwood can grow very old under good circumstances. This is because it grows very slowly. If you want a large plant quickly, you should rather buy a large specimen right away. On the other hand, the slow growth also means that the shrub is very easy to care for as far as the cut is concerned. It rarely has to be trimmed and brought into shape.
- Book trees can be shaped as solitary plants or naturally grow and are also brought up as a hedge.
- Ornamental grasses are very easy to care for as long as they are at a suitable location.
- Grasses are also decorative in winter.
- Some high -growing grass types form attractive and above all striking inflorescences (e.g. Miscanthus or Pampas Grass).
- Ornamental grasses improve the microclimate in the garden. They not only store moisture, but also prevent soil removal (erosion) through their roots, which is why they are also happy to be chosen for slope plantings.
What you should pay attention to when combining boxwood and grasses
In order to benefit from the combination of both plant species, you should of course choose the right specimens. They are based on the needs of the boxwood and combine it with suitable types of decorative grass.
- Book trees like it partially shaded or sunny.
- The soil should be nutritious.
Set accents with contrast colors:
- Redical decorative grasses are ideally suited for stronger contrasts, e.g. B. Japanese blood grass (Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’).
- Copper -colored varieties are another variant, e.g. B. New Zealand-Segge (Carex comans ‘Bronze Form’).
- If the grasses turn color in autumn, a temporary contrast is also created.
- You can get more subtle color contrasts with varieties that have a silvery-blue color.
Since the boxwood is full of green, green decorative grass types also come into their own, since they are usually a bit brighter. But interesting effects also arise in relation to the structure because the grasses have a rather airy appearance and loosen the strict growth of the boxwood. There are also varieties with white edges that notice in a subtle way and bring a certain elegance. The pipe grass (Molinia Caerulea 'variegata') is a good example.
There are also great combination partners for the boxwoodThese plants.
Which decorative grasses are suitable?
- Low -growing varieties
You can use small ornamental grasses to design the areas in front of the boxwood. In this case, the latter should be bigger so that it does not optically go down. For example, the blue syndrome are well suited (Festuca Gauzza) with its silvery-blue stalks, the Japan-Segge (Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’), which is evergreen and ensures eye -catchers with its white edges and the bear fur grass (Festuca Gautieri), which can be used primarily as a upholstery plant, has a dense growth and is evergreen. The bamboo grass (Hakonechloa macra) only gets up to one meter high and has very interesting, overhanging stalks.
Or how about: gold-segge (Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’), White Segge (Carex alba), Slit -leafed forest marel (Luzula Nivea) and Blaßrahlhafer (Helictotrichon Sempervirens)?
- Combine medium -high grasses and boxwood
They are perfect to add book trees and can stand together in a row to supplement the hedge plant. How about the elegant feather grass (Stipa thin) or theLamp cleaner grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides), the delicate inflorescence developed? The rod's deer (Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal') Again scores with their subtly bluish stalks.
Are also recommended: red lamp cleaner grass (Penisetum SetACEum 'RUBRURRUM'), Sandsegge (Carex arenaria), Strandhafer (Arenaria amophila) or eyelid-perlgrass (Melica Ciliata).
- High grass
Highly growing grass varieties are in turn perfect for the background or if you want to create contrasts to the densely growing boxwood. Chinstaschilf (Miscanthus sinensis) grows quite wide and forms pretty inflorescences. The garden riding grass is rather slim (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’), but due to this, can ensure an interesting structure in front of a wide boxwood. Delicate like the lamp cleaner grass, but the diamond grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha), which scores with its noble flower panels.
Please also consider these variants: giant chinstaschilf (Miscanthus giganteus), Flatbound grass (Chasmanthium latifolium), Silver tube grass (Leymus arenarius) and pile tube (Arundo Donax).
How the cutting form of the boxwood affects the effect
As you know, it can beForm the boxwood best, because it is so cut and can take on many forms due to its dense growth. Depending on the cut form, the grasses also have a different effect in combination:
- Aspherical boxwoodHas an elegant look that can be loosened up with the airy look of the grasses. Especially species with overhanging blades of grass are a good idea here (e.g. spring grass or lamp cleaner grass). If the shrub is low, you can play with the heights and medium -high decorative grasses that ensure gentle transitions.
- Alsoangular shrubsbenefit from grasses for the same reasons. Types that grow rather narrow or at least upright are particularly suitable. On the one hand, they adapt to the straight shape of the boxwood, but loosen the symmetry at the same time due to the loose structure.
- Are you the proud owner of oneBoxwood hedge, which usually has a rather strict look, you can loosen them up with decorative grasses at different heights, colors and growth forms.
Tip for gaps in hedges
Book trees are known for sometimes dying suddenly (especially with oneInfestation with the boxwood borer). Sometimes you are lucky that only one plant is affected, but then you have an unsightly gap. They could also fill them up with ornamental grass. If your stalks protrude from the hedge, loosen the rigor of the series wonderfully.
By the way:A popular alternative to the boxwood is thatNew breed “Bloombux”, which is actually a rhododendronart. The plant is very similar to the book, but forms beautiful flowers and is significantly more easy to care for and less susceptible to pests.
Hardensia can also be wonderfully combined with ornamental grass.Here you can find out more.
