Grasses: Versatile Partners for Uncommon Garden Design

by Nancy J. Ondra, Saxon Holt (Photographer)

From the dazzling orange leaves of Flame Grass to the feathery purple haze of Switch Grass, ornamental grasses can add a vibrant and colorful dimension to any garden. Nancy J. Ondra shows you how to use grasses on their own or in tandem with perennials, annuals, and shrubs to add visual interest and texture to your outdoor space. Insightful profiles of dozens of varieties of ornamental grasses enlivened by Saxon Holt’s stunning photography will inspire you to create your own dynamic, grass-filled gardens. 

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Horticulture, Plants, Reference

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2002

About the author

I garden at Hayefield in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Now in its 23rd year, Hayefield includes about three acres of managed meadow and one acre of intensively planted garden and open shrubbery areas.

A freelance garden writer, editor, and photographer, I also sell home-grown seeds and blog about my favorite plants, combinations, and other gardening topics at http://hayefield.com/

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're interested in gardening with grasses, and want a nice reference book, this is one to consider. A soft-cover, with beautiful photos of grasses in real gardens, with other plants, in all situations--dry, hilly, shady, etc. Gives some great visual ideas of how to use grasses, as well as many lists at the end of the book, too (eg, dry sites, slopes, moisture-lovers, ground covers, small areas, spreaders, etc). I found this to be a very useful resource.

[uosɯɐS · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw the beautiful cover of this book in a small bookstore while on vacation in Taos, NM. Had to get it. Well, the pictures throughout were really nice. But the actual content... most of the recommendations are for exotics and cultivars, at least half of which might not be hardy in my zone, and 90% of which probably need more water than my yard would have.

No discussion of the ecology of grasses, uses for wildlife, etc. At least they mentioned to be careful if you live in a fire-prone area, and to avoid things that are invasive for your area. No discussion of actual places, though. Trying to write a gardening book for "everywhere" just probably isn't the best idea. Geography matters for plants. No sense of place.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extensive book that I will return to often. The green lawn syndrome of America, which fosters climate change and loss of habitat for pollinators, needs to change. Homeowners need to he educated about the beauty of ornamental grass.

[Meleofa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great information about all sorts of grasses.

[Jzinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mostly a photo book (2/3 photos 1/3 text). Authors were very thorough in identifying all the grass types shown in photos - very helpful.

[Audra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reference for species ideas, but not a ton of help for planning and actual planting, etc. Cold zones might spend a lot of time frustrated.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so excited to read this book! The cover photo is so beautiful and relaxing to look at. Our library has a new addition with a patio bordered by beautiful grass- now I can inspect it and know more about it! Just reading the beginning of the book and studying the illustrations makes me think of God when He created all the plants. The detail is just amazing, and it's "just grass"!
I finished "Grasses" today and really learned a lot.
You shouldn't just go out and buy a few buckets of grass without knowing if it will spread like wild fire or need to be divided with a chain saw!
This book has great pictures with informative captions.
I picked out 2, maybe 3, grasses that I may try out in my yard, or perhaps in a container. The way they wave and swish is just so seductive- I can't wait for spring!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is by far one of the most complete books on grasses that I have read. Rather than writing another plant encyclopedia on grasses, Nancy J. Ondra has chosen to focus on how grasses can be used visually in the landscape. Focusing not only on how to match their shape and texture with other plants in the landscape but also how to highlight their reflective qualities, movement, and sound into the garden. Fortunately she also presents the negatives aspects of any types of grasses-invasiveness, their need to be divided and difficulty in doing so, and the ability for grass to give the gardener fine cuts. I highly recommend this book.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is visually striking--Saxon Holt is the best garden photographer. In this book of Grasses he has wonderful subjects and makes them shine. Nancy's organized the book well and makes it easy to determine which plants would do best in a particular setting. I especially liked that she limited the "how-to garden" lessons about soil, etc. and instead provided lots of planting combinations. There's enough info to feel confident in making selections, and I used Nancy's in-depth analysis to guide my choices of 4 grasses I planted this spring.

[Alicia]

I probably won't end up purchasing this book as it seems like I would barely be able to put it to practical use, but I have a thing for ornamental grasses. This would sure be a great book to swoon over page after page of gorgeous grasses.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grasses: Versatile Partners for Uncommon Garden Design by Nancy J. Ondra (Storey Publishing 2002) (635.9349). This book covers the plant families of grasses and sedges. It includes a nice encyclopedia of the various members of the tribe. My rating: 7/10, finished 2007.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photos and great advice on the use of ornamental grasses in the landscape of your yard and garden.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful book!