Here's a pic during construction, to give you an idea of the shape and layout:

I have two Miscanthus sinensis 'New Hybrids' flanking the entrance to the path that goes out to the left in the photo.

In the center of the closer section is a clump of Baptisia. In the center of the further section is a clump of Hibiscus. There are 5 Blue Fescue, one on each of the inside points of the beds.

I'm going to install 2 M.s. 'Gracillimus, one next to the Baptisia, and one next to the Hibiscus, 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock in the photo.

Needless to say, during the spring, the only plants to see in the beds will be the Fescues. The Large grasses, Baptisia and Hibiscus will be cut to the ground.

I'm thinking about under-plantings that can give me some show during spring, yet survive being overgrown by the grasses, Baptisia and Hibiscus when they come into season, and I'm thinking about spring flowering bulbs like Daffs, Bluebells and other Hyacinths.

What do you think? Will spring flowering bulbs work under large grasses and woody perennials?

Any other suggestions?

I'll be filling in exposed edges with small grasses.

PS..the small bed is my wife's herb garden, and the non-bed area next to it is her flagstone sunbathing patio. The paths are all woodchips, 2' interior paths and 3' perimeter path.

Anyhow the answer to your underlying question is a very definite YES! Bulbs and OGs make excellent partners.

The timing of both is perfect and daffodil, tulips, right through to alliums work really well.
The bulbs look great when the grasses are still dormant AND the ugly ripening bulb foliage is hidden by the grasses once they get going.

Bulbs planted at the base of ornamental grasses get the growing conditions that they love. Adequate moisture in the spring growing season and dry conditions through their dormant summer period. The 'rain shadow' that the grass foliage creates is actully good for the bulbs.

Top dress your bulbs each spring with a little bone meal and they will be happy for years ~

Can you tell that this is a topic dear to my heart? Whenever I give a talk on OGs I always focus on marrying bulbs with grasses!
A.

Yep. The pie-shaped segments are the beds. They've shrunk down a good deal in height (the pic was a year ago, and they spent the fall and winter covered with black plastic.)and are now beautiful garden soil, on the sandy side. The interior and perimeter paths are now woodchips, and are unfortunatley filled with potted grasses. The overall size of the circle is 26' diameter. The planting sections were built with alternating layers of the sod that occupied the circle, and sawdust.

The history of the bed is here.

I know it is alot but can you tell me what grasses are in the secobd photo? some of them look so interesting!

Debbie

For Debbie,
The new grasses that you see from this side starting from the lower left;
Eragrostis trichoides & Miscanthus 'Strictus'
Going around the bend, Pennisetum orientale & Pennisetum alopecuroides
Going around from the same end, to the left of the first clump of Rudbeckias is Achnatherum calamagrostis
Further along between the variegated Arundo and the next clump of Rudbeckia is Molinia 'Moorhex'. I must say that all of the smaller Molinia cultivars are really worth while!
Please excuse the dying birch they are slated to come down this month ~ I will miss them :o(
A.

I have birch as well - what happened?

later,
A.

Is that a Cactus in that pot?