Maiden Grass. We'll go through 5 common problems step-by-step, and provide ways to overcome them. Perhaps the most important maintenance technique is cutting back the grass to a height of 10 centimetres. Choose a well-drained location with an appropriate sun level for the … Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana) – Ornamental Grasses for Drought Conditions The only downfall is that some of these problems are systemic, meaning that you might have to make some major changes in order to get your grass to grow back properly. These fast-growing ground covers will take no time in filling up empty spaces and adding a charm to your outdoor garden. Maryanne Maguire from Santa Monica, CA on September 15, 2010: Yep, midwest here with no worries about grass - -it's dead :(. Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil. Everything grows better in the midwest. Other fungus will take advantage of dead grass clippings that were left on the lawn after mowing. This will break up the clay slowly over time. Another ornamental grass to add to the equation is Japanese bloodgrass (Imperata cylindrica),with its red-tipped blades and fast-spreading runners that will quickly overtake moister beds. This can be done with hedge shears in February or March before new growth appears from the crown of the plant. Commercial fungicides might be effective when applied at the earliest sign of disease. Temperature tolerance varies widely among different types of grass; however, many are suitable for planting in the Mediterranean climates of U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. Watch Reply. Most landscape grasses are clump-forming and will not spread to other areas although the clumps will get bigger each year. Scientific Name: Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ Size: 6 to 8 feet tall, 3 to 5 feet … Aphids and mites are among the few insect pests that bother ornamental grass. Some ornamental grasses can become invasive because of their seed plumes, while others do not. Overcoming these problems is the key to having a beautiful lawn. The beauty of fountain grass. Hameln dwarf fountain grass is a small, clumping ornamental grass that only grows 2 to 3 feet tall and bears ivory to white plumes that wave above the foliage from summer to fall. Yeah, I've done that on more than one occasion. If insect or disease problems happen, then treat early with … There are 4 major types of fungus that affect grass. Rust is another disease that hurts your grass. Some varieties produce flowers. Heavy infestations of aphids and mites are best treated by spraying the plants with insecticidal soap spray or with a product containing pyrethrins. Water the grass at the base of the plant, because overhead watering creates moist conditions that foster rust. Due to lack of sunlight I believe, but I keep trying to get grass to grow. Mark unread; Skip to new; Mark unread Print Skip to new. If you deprive it of either, it's not going to do very well and will be thin and patchy. Available in distinct colors, fine textures, and a bundle of varieties for different climates, gardeners usually have no problem picking out grass plants that will suit their garden well. Annuals and Perennials -- Ornamental Grass, Clemson University Extension: Ornamental Grass, University of Missouri Extension: Aphids, Scales and Mites on Home Garden and Landscape Plants, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: Powdery Mildew on Ornamentals, University of Minnesota Extension: Coping With Deer in Home Landscapes, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: Rusts. nicomp really from Ohio, USA on September 13, 2010: Living in the midwest, we have no grass problems this year, it's all dirt. Don't allow the plants to become too dry; dusty conditions attract mites. Most varieties of fountain grass are hardy to USDA zones 8 to … Rust can be largely avoided by dividing overcrowded clumps and allowing better air circulation around the plants. This method may take longer but is far less labor intensive. Either repair the sprinkler, or if it's just inadequate to cover all the areas, then you might have to spend 5 minutes a few times a week watering that specific area by hand. They are a great way to add instant texture, contrast and lasting beauty. Allow ample space between plants; poor air circulation caused by overcrowding often results in disease. Though there are varieties in the types of flowering pear trees, the ornamental pear tree problems are more or less similar to the usual problems faced by any other type. Solarization. Don't depend on just one repellent, as deer soon become accustomed to the unpleasant smell or taste. Fungus is a major grass problem for a lot of people. Although young, tender plants are most susceptible, a hungry deer eats nearly any type of plant. I have a few varieties of ornamental grasses that are 4 years old: Last year some of them did not grow in the centers, but did well otherwise. Sometimes grass comes in weak, thin, and patchy. The best way to avoid a problem with rust is to space plants far enough apart to provide good air circulation. If you haven't fertilized your grass in a while, or if you don't regularly fertilize, your grass can start to grow thin and yellow on you. Hilly Chism from Holland on September 13, 2010: Good hub, I like the tip about taking a weed into the garden center for them to identify it. Perhaps the most common problem of ornamental grasses is the fungal disease, rust. Ideal for a sunny spot. Another culprit for some cases of dead spots is dogs. Ornamental grass is an excellent alternative to shrubs for landscaping gardens. One of the common things that causes this problem is shade. She writes about a variety of topics, with a focus on sustainable, pesticide- and herbicide-free gardening. Grass soil needs to have good drainage, be slightly acidic, and have some sandy content to it. Billy Haynes from Paragould, AR on April 27, 2018: We got a new place a little over a year ago and we have a bare spot in the front yard. Avoid toxic chemicals, which kill lady beetles and other beneficial insects that feed on aphids and mites. Often, without the homeowner knowing it, one of the sprinklers in the system will become clogged or broken, or just plain won't have the pressure to reach all areas of the grass. Spiking will improve drainage and overseeding with a grass seed mixture especially suited for shaded areas will improve the vigour of the lawn. Advertisement. The aeration will allow the grass roots to decompress from being compacted during sports and other things, and will give them a nice flow of oxygen. Regular fences are effective only if they are at least 6 feet tall, with the top angled away from the garden. Rust appears as orange spots, which can spread to cover the foliage. Solarization is simply the … Fortunately, specially designed weed killers exist that don't hurt your lawn but kill the infesting weeds. And they fit into nearly any landscape. There are 4 major types of fungus that … Once established, ornamental grasses require very little maintenance. To prevent powdery mildew, plant ornamental grass in sunny locations. M.H. A third pest that can kill grass is grubs. Thanks! This grass is hardy in zones 5 through 9, is deer resistant, and is a highly decorative grass for the desert garden. Apply a lawn treatment containing a moss killer and then try to remove the causes. Ornamental grass grows in clumps and can have arching foliage as tall as 15 feet or may have variegated green and creamy white foliage shorter than 1 foot. two problems with my ornamental grasses. Discoloration in your lawn generally comes because of three factors. Other grasses have been bred for specific regions and conditions in order to more adequately tolerate things like heat and drought. She is an Oregon State University Master Gardener and Master Naturalist and holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction writing. Things like clover and dandelions very quickly can infest an otherwise healthy lawn, sprawling out or growing very tall, making the lawn look poor. Hopefully it will come back for you in the Spring. Ornamental grass can experience molds and fungus similar to lawn grasses, particularly in wet weather. Annuals/tender perennials (these must be planted every year, although some survive the winter in warmer climates): Purple Fountain Grass, Purple Millet, Vertigo Fountain Grass; How to Care for Ornamental Grasses. Video of the Day Volume 0% Powdery mildew is a type of fungus that can affect turf grasses, ornamental grasses, commercial crops and native plant species. In severe cases the blades may wilt, turn brown and die. If your soil has large clay deposits or rocks, it will cause the grass to grow very poorly. Aphids, which damage the plants when they pierce the blades to suck out the sap, are tiny, greenish insects that gather on the underside of blades. Dispose of infected blades securely, and never place diseased plant parts on the compost pile. Part of what makes them so attractive are their plumed, feathery inflorescences, but that is also what makes them such a problem. Fluffy flowerheads of Pennisetum villosum. Rust is a fungal disease evidenced by small reddish-orange or yellow blisters on the blades of grass. However, many of the New Zealand sedges (Carex), Mexican Feather Grass (Stipa or Nassella) and Northern Sea Oats … Another thing that can easily cause dead spots in your grass is a broken, clogged, or inadequate sprinkler system. The problem is the worst when runner grasses overtake bunch grasses. Mites are microscopic insects that suck the juices from the blades, causing infected parts to turn yellow. Severe infections may cover the entire plant with the puffy, white or gray fungi. Pests of one form or another are among the most common grass killers. Grass needs to be aerated periodically every few years in order to reestablish proper roots. My Lawn Has Large Black Rings Which Turn Brown & Die, White Bugs & Circular Patches of Dead Grass, University of Minnesota Extension: What's Wrong With my Plant? About Invasive Ornamental Grasses Ornamental grass management is necessary with many species of these elegant waving plants. 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