Ornamental grasses are becoming more endearing especially as water restrictions and drought-prone areas press their case against our gardens. It wasn't that long ago that many gardeners would steer clear of these 'weedy' grasses and opt for flowers and ornamental perennials.

But, times are changing and what was once determined as unworthy for the home garden is rapidly becoming a popular import. Gardeners are replacing their non-indigenous botanicals for native grasses and enjoying the benefits of low-maintenance weed-suppressing plants. And, we're not limited by variety or colour, shape or texture as many of our predecessors have been.

Ornamental grasses have copped some bad publicity over the years, and it's not entirely unjustified. In some states of Australia and the US, several species reside on the noxious weed lists and have been banned from being grown in home gardens.

The reason: they are incredible propagators.

This is both an advantage as much as it is a disadvantage. If you consider that most of our cereal grains; barley, wheat, oats, rice and corn are all members of the grass (Poaceae) family you can quickly understand that if they weren't great producers of seed we would be very hungry people.

Types of Ornamental Grass

How to Grow Ornamental Grasses

Most ornamental grasses reside in full sun, having spent most of their existence in savannas, tundras and coastal plains. Understanding their origins help explain the types of soil they prefer, opting for sandy soils over loams and clay.

They don't need copious amounts of rainfall or watering to exist and can easily survive extended periods of drought. This is why they do so well in xeriscape gardens and those created to be drought-tolerant.

It's best not to grow grasses with high water-dependent plants as either the grass will struggle with excessive moisture or the water needy will suffer from not enough. Group ornamental grasses with succulents, cacti and grey-foliage plants for their best rate of survival.

Propagating Ornamental Grasses

This is by far one of the easiest plant families to propagate after succulents. The most effective method is via collecting seed and distributing in situ. Some, like the Japanese Blood Grass, can be divided and propagated this way which can be just as successful but takes more effort.

The problem with grasses is not their ability to propagate but that they are so successful at it. You may find yourself weeding more often if you don't want them to spread beyond their boundaries.

Sources: Santa Rosa Gardens, University of Illinois Extension.

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If you're looking for a quick filling plant that will provide an abundance of colour and ramble through your garden, then nasturtiums Tropaeolum majus should be at the top of the list. Vivacious, sanguine, effervescent; adjectives that wrap nasturtiums in a nutshell.

Not only are they a great plant to fill in bare areas but they are so easy to grow. Throw a small handful of seeds into the soil, lightly till and water and within weeks you will have transformed your garden into a kaleidoscope of colour. This is low-maintenance gardening at its grass roots.

The trick with nasturtiums is not getting them to grow but forcing them to stop. They are a wonderful self-seeder providing they flowered well the previous season. And why wouldn't they have flowered well previously? Growing nasturtiums in nitrogen rich soil will produce an abundance of foliage to the detriment of producing flowers so stay off the fertiliser for these plants.

Nasturtiums grow well in a sunny location in a free-draining sandy loam. They don't do well in the cold and should be planted in from spring through early autumn. Don't bother buying potted nasturtiums or seedlings either - it's like buying bottled water when you live next to a mountain spring.

These plants originated from South America so you can expect them to enjoy the warmth and be frost-intolerant. Nasturtiums will grow to about 30cm (1ft) and cover more than triple that in width. Their foliage differs from variegated khaki to dark lush green and seemingly ever shade of green in between while nasturtium flowers are bright colours. Bright yellows, oranges, reds. And they're edible. Wash them after picking from your garden and toss into a green salad along with your borage flowers.

Nasturtiums are an annual plant, classified as a succulent, but will reproduce themselves year after year.

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One of the most popular architectural plants in recent years has been the dwarf black mondo grass. Designers use it firstly for it's colour - there aren't many strikingly black perennials, and secondly for its form. As a grass, the foliage is excellent when you are trying to create an impression or standout feature. Its strappy leaves draw your attention to it but when planted en masse in a border will take your eye down a line to the focal point you're trying to show off.

What's really great about these little plants though is they need very little maintenance to keep looking good. Mondo grass is suitable for many light conditions but prefers full-sun to partial shade. It will only grow to about 15cm (6") and can be spaced about the same distance. Their water requirements are very low and are considered to be drought tolerant.

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