Why use grasses in arrangements
Grass plumes and seed heads add texture, height and movement to bouquets, and many dry well, so they last for months. They offer neutral tones of cream, tan and soft pink that work with both fresh and dried flowers. Growing a few clumps for cutting is also a good way to use plants you already have in the garden.
Good grasses to cut
- Fountain grass (Pennisetum): bottlebrush plumes in soft tan, pink or dark purple. Dwarf types like ‘Hameln’ and ‘Karley Rose’ have attractive plumes. Red bunny tails (Pennisetum massaicum) has soft, touchable plumes.
- Miscanthus: feathery plumes in silver, pink or copper tones on tall stems. Cut before they fully fluff, as heads can shatter.
- Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis): narrow, wheat-colored plumes that hold well when dried.
- Pink muhly grass: airy pink plumes in fall, in warm zones. See fall ornamental grasses and how to grow pink muhly grass.
- Switchgrass: open, airy panicles that add a delicate texture.
- Blue oat grass and little bluestem: oat-like heads and fluffy seed heads for filler. Cultivar differences are covered in little bluestem varieties.
- Quaking grass (Briza), hare’s tail (Lagurus) and annual barley: annual grasses grown from seed that are widely used by flower growers.
When to cut
Timing depends on the plant, and early cutting generally gives the longest-lasting result.
- Cut plumes when they are mostly open but before seeds begin to drop or shatter.
- For softer, fluffier results, cut a bit later, though more shedding is likely.
- Harvest on a dry day after morning dew has dried.
- Take long stems, and leave some plumes in the garden for winter interest and birds.
Drying
- Strip lower leaves.
- Bundle a handful of stems with a rubber band, which tightens as they dry.
- Hang upside down in a dark, dry, airy place for about one to three weeks, depending on humidity and stem thickness.
- Stand some grasses upright in an empty vase to dry, which gives a relaxed, natural curve.
Preserving and handling
Dried plumes are fragile. Some people mist them lightly with unscented hairspray or a craft sealer to reduce shedding, which works better on some grasses than others. Keep arrangements out of direct sun, which fades color, and out of damp rooms.
Arrangement ideas
- Mix tall Miscanthus plumes with dried hydrangea or sedum heads for a late-season bouquet.
- Use short fountain grass plumes in small jars for table settings.
- Combine with coneflower or other seed heads. See perennials to plant with ornamental grasses.
- Make wreaths, garlands and dried bundles for winter.
A caution about seeding
Cutting plumes before the seed ripens also reduces the chance of self-seeding. Some grasses that make good cut stems, including certain Miscanthus and fountain grass types, spread by seed in some regions. Check local invasive lists, and cut before seeds mature. Non-invasive ornamental grasses lists safer clumpers. For garden planning, see landscaping with ornamental grasses and specimen grasses and focal points.