Molinia caerulea ‘Variegata.’Muriel Neale
Grasses are such useful plants, it's impossible to think of a garden, no matter the size, without at least one. They're graceful plants that provide movement and year-round charm. Alas, these days there is the habit of overdoing them and ending up with what looks rather like a field of hay instead.
Many are drawn to grasses because they are virtually maintenance-free. A good whacking back in spring will do for most of them. They will reach their maturity in a couple of years and it's a small matter to divide them up once they step out of bounds.
The most treasured grasses are those that will do well in the shade. Japanese Hedge Grass (Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold' and 'Aureola') is one great example of a handsome shade presence. Molinia is another species to consider.
Molinia caerulea 'Variegata' needs more shade in areas where there's likely to be drought, which is happening in far too many parts of the country. Don't plant it in the sun unless it has consistently moist soil. And if you know the soil is a bit acidic, all the better – these plants don't do well in alkaline soil (see the Q & A at right). The best site is one with morning sun and afternoon shade.
This is a cool-season grass, which means that it will survive winters of freezing weather and start to grow as soon as temperatures are above freezing – ideal in our short growing season. It's a Z4 plant with a graceful clumping nature and will reach 80 centimetres in height. The base is a mophead of narrow green leaves with soft yellow and white vertical stripes. The panicles are purple to olive green; stems are upright, giving the whole plant a brisk, tidy look. It is sensational as an edger or at the front of a border.
During the autumn weather, the stalks that rise up over the clump turn a sensuous golden tan. And it is one of the grasses that are ideal for a small space. Keep in mind that, unlike many others, this grass is herbaceous, which means it disappears during the winter. To counterbalance this, tuck lots of small bulbs in and around it so there will still be something happening where you've planted it come springtime. Pair it with hostas, geraniums, heaths, calluna (heather) and cimicifuga (bugbane).
Most grasses look marvelous in winter, so as a general rule don't cut them back until spring. Read tags carefully. Some of them get humongous and just because it looks neat in a pot doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be anything but a scalawag in the garden.
Find Molinia caerulea 'Variegata' on gardening sites such as bluestem.ca (which is also an excellent source of information for growing ornamental grasses), where it retails for $12 plus taxes and shipping.