ornamental grass from seeds

15 years ago

I'm trying to find a very, very low maintenance ornamental grass (or other plant) to line the OUTSIDE of my white vinyl fence with. The fence sits on a retaining wall so the soil quality is poor (lots of gravel from back filling the retaining wall). There is only about 12 to 18 inches between the fence and the wall block so it cannot be a large grass. Right now the weeds grow out of control back there and are terribily unsightly for our neighbor. We are simply trying to clean it up, and fill it in with something extrememly low maintenance. The length is over 100 feet, so we cannot afford to try and plant something there that may not even take. Hoping that there are some seeds we can drop and see what happens. Any advice? some areas are full sun and other areas are mostly shade...Hopefully it can also be something that doesn't attract an extreme amount of bothersome insects or cause problems for my neighbor's property. Help please..

Comments (2)

achnatherum
15 years ago
Based on your requirements I would suggest; painted concrete! That is my usual suggestion to anyone who wants to grow living plants under lousy condions & with no maintenance needed. It is an impossible request.

More kindly, I would definitely say NO to the idea of seed. Any of the weeds already growing in this area will have seeded in the soil. As seedlings you will be unable to tell the difference between the plants you want & those you don't.

Really, if you don't want to do any work, an inorganic solution would probably be the best. How about putting down a landscape fabric topped by mulch or river rock? If you still wanted plants you could put a holes in the fabric, improve the soil slightly in those spots & then plant a hardy tough grass. For the sunny spots Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)might survive your conditions and would be trouble free for your neighbour. Shady dry spots are a little more difficult.......

good luck,
A.
Arroyo
15 years ago
Consider species Deschampsia cespitosa (tufted hairgrass) if you receive 35+ inches of rain or are willing to run inline emitter drip tubing. A beautiful cool season grass that also shows well into winter and only US$10/lb. For a pic of deschampsia in bloom see my blog for the grass in bloom early AM.
unofficialtaos.blogspot.com
Aug 04 2008

good luck
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