Stay Wild with Grasses

Add a dash of Unbridled Energy into your Garden

I planted Maiden Grass alongside some rugosa roses. The exuberant look is at its peak in the summer. Johnsen Landscapes & Pools.

Want to bring a dash of wildness into your garden? Add grasses.

More than any other plant, ornamental grasses infuse a space with a touch of unbridled energy. Their slender blades sway, droop, or spike skyward, breathing life into the monotony of staid planting beds. They catch the light and dance in every breeze. Add a few of these deer resistant plants to inject an air of exuberance to your surroundings.

In this post I share with you several grasses that I love. I have been a big proponent of them for decades. I live in deer country and these wonderful plants are a great alternative to deer fencing. Although I am suggesting several grasses, please know there are so many to choose from! The list is just a sampling and I urge you to experiment with others.

Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’

‘Morning Light’ maiden grass looks like a fountain spouting up and out - the effervescent appearance contrasts sharply with the tall pool fence behind it.

Imagine a 5 ft tall vase-shaped grass shimmering in the sun. That is Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’. This elegant variegated grass has a way of softening hard edges and loosening plantings with its fine, arching blades streaked in silvery white. It adds a luminous quality—especially when backlit by the morning or late-day sun. It is even more outstanding in late summer when its feathery plumes emerge.

Despite its delicate appearance, ‘Morning Light’ is tough, adaptable, and deer-resistant. Plant it in full sun for the best color and shape, and give it room—this grass can grow 4 to 6 feet tall.

I planted ‘Morning Light’ here to light up a primarily evergreen area. It adds color, texture, and just the right touch of wild elegance. That is white astilbe in the background. Johnsen Landscapes & Pools