A few years back the spin gardeners of the day were preaching how unfashionable some plants were. Hydrangeas, especially the mopheads were most definitely for your granny only. Dahlias were so garish no one in their right mind would have them,and Pampas grass was laughable and probably suited to the common people. Now I ask you, what a load of bollocks, am I allowed to say that?does it break some blogging etiquette, and while we are at it why does my spell checker not recognise the word blogging and then wont tell me how to spell etequete. As for the out of fashion plants, thank god it all seems to be in the past.
Pampas grass in its many cultivars is still the most popular of the ornamental grasses. Simply take a little care in the positioning, placed with a bit of thought in a large mixed border the result can be outstanding especially if you have room for three plants placed well apart.
Sunningdale Silver with plumes reaching 12ft looks magnificent, especially in the winter sunshine. If you are looking for a cultivar less imposing you will not go wrong with Pumila,with its silver plumes in late summer this plant will look good right through until Spring and has a height of only 6ft.
Pampas grass must be positioned in full sun otherwise the result will be very mediocre. Any reasonable well drained soil will be fine.
Plant care – at one time it would be suggested, in spring you should set fire to the plant, apparently this would replicate what happens in its own natural habitat. This is now recognised as a practise we should not now undertake, mainly because it is completely unnecessary and could also be damned dangerous.
Come Spring, get out the garden shears and cut the whole plant back, don’t attempt to cut it to absolute ground level, you will still be required to leave a clump. Do take care with the blades of grass as they are razor sharp.
Hardiness – Fully hardy
Soil – Not too fussy
Position – Full sun
Height – 150cm
Having lived in Aberdeen all our lives, and in our present house for over twenty five years change does not come easy. We are retired now, our grown up daughters no longer live in the city. We often think of moving, one of our daughters, son in law, and grandson who is seven years old live in Cheshire. They would like us to move down beside them, although the unfamiliarity of the area makes it seem very daunting it is still very tempting. We are so set in our ways, I along with my wife have difficulty in making a decision. Mind you I will still carry on with my Aberdeen blog, maybe give it a Cheshire twist.
© 2010, Alistair. All rights reserved.
