Grasses and Succulents …….. who knew they could look so good?

The Garden of Contrasts at Cornerstone Sonoma, California by Oehme van Sweden

Ornamental grasses and succulents planted together. Sounds a little crazy I know, however it works exceptionally well.

It’s a planting scheme regularly adopted by famous designers from all over the globe such as Oehme van Sweden http://uk.pinterest.com/bluedaleplants/oehme-van-sweden/, Franchesca Watson http://uk.pinterest.com/bluedaleplants/franchesca-watson/, Andrea Cochrane http://uk.pinterest.com/bluedaleplants/andrea-cochran/ and Bernard Trainer http://uk.pinterest.com/bluedaleplants/designers-bernard-trainor/ just to name a few.

As garden companions, grasses and succulents have similar needs. Both have low water requirements and do well in full sun; both generally appreciate a well drained soil; and both usually herald from similar climates. Therefore they do well inhabiting the same garden space.

Their similarities end here. Dramatically different appearances are what make the pairing of succulents and grasses so visually appetising.

Succulents and Wind Grass by Franchesca Watson, Cape Town.

The chunky, sculptural forms of succulents contrast drastically with the slender, fine form of ornamental grasses. This is further exaggerated by the movement grasses can bring to the garden when blown by wind.

Planting layout can range from formal to wild meadow and everything in between. Rows of grasses with low succulents neatly growing in the foreground is the most obvious formal application. Wild meadows, filled with evenly spaced Agaves nested among a monoculture of grasses is quite unique and can be outstanding. Even in a large pot or raised bed this combination can work.

Carpobrotus (Pig Face) and Ornamental Grass by Franchesca Watson, Cape Town.

So who works well together?

• Try large Agaves with Poa labillardieri ‘Eskdale’  http://www.bluedaleplantsonline.com.au/shop/Ornamental-Grasses/Eskdale/12/?src=relatedlhs or ‘Nafray’ Pennisetum alopecuroides http://www.bluedaleplantsonline.com.au/shop/Ornamental-Grasses/Nafray/26/?src=relatedlhs  for a large scale eye catching garden. Some flowering perennials such as Echinacea (Coneflower), Salvia, Chamomile or Leucanthemum (Shasta Daisy) can add seasonal colour.

• Sedum spectable (Autumn Joy) works well with Dianella varieties, fine foliaged Lomandras such as ‘Shara’ and the above Poa and Pennisetum  http://www.bluedaleplantsonline.com.au/shop/Ornamental-Grasses/

• An Australian version would pair native grasses such as ‘Tanika’ Lomandra http://www.bluedaleplantsonline.com.au/shop/Ornamental-Grasses/Tanika/2/ or ‘Eskdale’ Poa with the flowering succulent groundcover ‘Aussie Rambler’ Carpobrotus (Pig Face) http://www.bluedaleplantsonline.com.au/shop/Ground-Cover-Plants/AUSSIE-RAMBLER/7/ for astounding results.

Get the idea? The attached pictures will help you further. For more photographs and inspiration, check out Bluedale’s pinterest board ‘Grasses and Succulents in landscapes’. http://uk.pinterest.com/bluedaleplants/grasses-and-succulents-planted-together-in-the-lan/

‘Tanika’ Lomandra longifolia LM300

‘Tanika’ is without a doubt, Bluedale’s best seller. We sell over 200,000 ‘Tanika’ annually. This is a reflection of the many positive attributes it brings to a wide variety of landscape situations. ‘Tanika’ retains its beautiful lush appearance in harsh environments such as urban landscapes. It follows that it looks magnificent when pampered in manicured residential gardens of the highest calibre.

From a design perspective it’s all about the foliage. ‘Tanika’ has slender, lime green foliage with an arching to weeping habit that develops with age. Possible applications are endless………..accentuate bright coloured foliage or flowers with ‘Tanika’ surrounds; make use of its regular form in a sculptural garden; mass plant to create a sea of green that flows in the breeze; use under eucalypts for a natural landscape; combine with hedging plants or use ‘Tanika’ to create a low hedge.

‘Tanika’ is a cultivar of Lomandra longifolia. It grows to 500 – 700mm in height and 500-600mm wide. Although grown for its magnificent foliage, ‘Tanika’ does have attractive, small yellow flowers during Spring and Summer. These flowers do not produce seed and are not spikey. ‘Tanika’ is very user friendly.

‘Tanika’ is hardy in many situations. It will grow in full sun and in up to 50% shade. It is suited to coastal conditions, although requires protection from fully exposed seaside aspects. ‘Tanika’ thrives in inland climates and will be evergreen in frost and low temperatures to –10 degrees. It grows best in sandy loam to free draining clay loams.

In humid coastal climates it is important to space ‘Tanika’ plantings to provide good air circulation around the plants. Attention to free draining mulch and soil is also recommended. Hardwood chip and non-organic gravel mulch have proven best in humid climates.

Maintenance is simple – trim foliage to 200mm above the ground to remove old growth every 3 to 5 years or when the plant looks untidy. Yes this feels very drastic – check out our online maintenance article if you need some reassurance! Fertilize with a slow release fertilizer once a year and after trimming to encourage fresh re-growth. Care should be taken when re-applying mulch and don’t over water.

TANIKA® Lomandra longifolia on The Bluedale Plants Online Show, Episode #1

This weeks episode of The Bluedale Plants Online Show is about TANIKA® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’ PBR

 

This Week I want to look at a plant that’s been around for well over a decade and has become one of Australia’s most favourite hardy native grasses, and that is Lomandra Longafolia, a cultivar called TANIKA®.

Now TANIKA® is an evergreen plant that grows to about 600mm high – that’s 60cm high – and it has fine lime green foliage that’s evergreen even under the frost.

It’s a very drought tolerant plant and it’s a plant that gets used extensively throughout the east coast of Australia, from Melbourne all the way through to Brisbane.

Lomandra TANIKA® is a plant that is suited to a wide variety of climates throughout the east coast from Melbourne through to Brisbane, now naturally with such a wide diversity of climates you just have to have to be conscious of a few things.

If you are using TANIKA® in Brisbane I always recommend that people plant them with plenty of space in between the plants to allow good airflow.

Another thing to consider with planting Lomandra TANIKA® in Brisbane is that you should have a free draining soil. So you don’t want to have a soil that holds too much moisture around the crown of the plant.

In the past people have used it in in correct situations and some people have been disappointed but used in the correct way with a raised garden bed and giving the plant plenty of space around it to allow airflow is a really good way to plant TANIKA® in Brisbane.

There are other benefits of that too, you really get to see the full form of the plant, TANIKA® is a beautiful native grass that has arching foliage that forms a beautiful bun shape on the ground.

Now if we were using the plant in Sydney and in regions around the Sydney area or Melbourne, you don’t have the same issues you do in the northern parts of New South Wales and in to Queensland so TANIKA® can be used planted closer together . It forms a really nice suade of grass so if you’re looking for a grassy effect that will have movement in the garden it is a fantastic plant for that.

Another feature of TANIKA® is that it has nice yellow flowers coming in the Spring and Summer which have a very subtle perfume and it’s just a fantastic for gardeners to use in their home gardens.

For more information on TANIKA® click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bluedale Plants Online is an online nursery that offers No Fuss, Functional Plants delivered in Top Condition straight to your door.

Bluedale is a dedicated grower of Australian Native Plants. Our range includes Native Grasses, Strappy Leafed Plants, Sedges, Wetland Plants and Native Trees & Shrubs that you can buy online. 

TROPICBELLE™ Compact Lomandra For The Tropics | Strappy Leaf Plants

Lomandra hystrix ‘LHCOM’ PBR

TROPICBELLE™ is a very hardy and versatile plant suitable for both dry and moist positions in the garden. When planted in a dry position Tropic Belle should only grow to 70cm high. In a fertile moist garden soil which recieves regular watering it will grow to 90cm high. This new form of Lomandra hystrix with its compact uniform growth makes a great in-fill plant or informal hedge along a fence line, pathway or driveway. It also makes a great outdoor pot plant.

Click here for more info on TROPICBELLE™

To check out more Australian Native Strappy Leaf Plants Click here

WINGARRA® is a Lomandra with large Deep Rhizomes | Strappy Leaf Plants

Lomandra confertifolia ‘SIR5’ PBR

WINGARRA® is a small fine leafed Lomandra variety that has fine steely blue, grass like foliage that resembles the popular blue Poa grass. Wingarra is a tough hardy garden plant ideal for dry land plantings in non-irrigated gardens. It also makes a great border or edging plant.

Click here for more info on WINGARRA®

To check out more Australian Native Strappy Leaf Plants Click here

NYALLA® is a Lomandra with a grass tree look | Strappy Leaf Plants

Lomandra longifolia ‘LM400’ PBR

NYALLA® has stunning long weeping bluish grey foliage that resembles a native Grass Tree, (Black Boy), except without the distinctive trunk of the Grass Tree. It makes a great specimen plant and also looks great mass planted.

Click here for more info on NYALLA ®

To check out more Australian Native Strappy Leaf Plants Click here

SHARA™ is a Compact Ultra Fine Leaf Lomandra | Strappy Leaf Plants

Lomandra fluviatilis ‘ABU7’ PBR

Shara has fine gracefully arching bluish-green foliage and is an ideal plant for humid coastal regions and mild inland climates. Shara has sweet scented flowers in spring and summer. Great mass planted or use as a border plant.

Click here for more info on SHARA™

To check out more Australian Native Strappy Leaf Plants Click here

KATRINUS DELUXE is a Compact Fine Leaf Road Side Lomandra | Strappy Leaf Plants

Lomandra longifolia ‘Katrinus Deluxe’ PBR 

Lomandra longifolia ‘Katrinus Deluxe’ is a select cultivar of the common variety of Lomandra ‘Katrinus’. It has finer leaves and larger flowers. Katrinus Deluxe is ideal for compact gardens or for gardeners wanting a more refined, absolutely uniform look.

Click here for more info on Katrinus Deluxe 

To check out more Australian Native Strappy Leaf Plants Click here