Decorative Grasses Have Many Uses

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32209, 30 January 1970, Page 6

Decorative Grasses Have Many Uses

Grassy plants (for want of a better description) make ideal specimens either alone, in groups, for rock or scree gardens, or among appropriate trees and shrubs.

Turf lily or lily-turf, liriope species, once known as Ophiopagon spicatus, makes a most attractive evergreen border plant or lawn accent in sun or shade. It belongs to the lily family. The leaves of some varieties are striped yellow such as liriope grammifoldia variegata. The flowers are either purplish, lavender or white followed by berry-like blue-black fruits borne on spikes amidst the foliage. As such the flowers are very reminiscent of those of the grape hyacinths and are valued for decorative work. The berries are not edible. The plants will grow in almost any type of soil, require no attention after planting out, and although not fully hardy will stand considerable abuse. A height of 2ft may be attained. It makes a most useful ground cover spreading as it does by creeping rootstocks and can even be utilised as a pot plant. Arthropodium cirrhatum, the New Zealand rock lily, is the most commonly grown of two native species of Anthropodium of which there are another six belonging to the same genus, and once more of the lily family. It has light green, soft flax-like leaves and panicles of white flowers tinted heliotrope with yellow stamens and develops clump-like to about 2ft high. It seeds heavily and can either be raised from seed or from division of the clumps. A hardy plant, it will grow almost anywhere and makes a useful pond side subject. This plant is known alternatively' as the Reinga Lily derived from one of its habitats—Cape Reinga. Excellent garden subjects can be made of the speargrasses or Spaniards, especially in scree gardens despite the painfully sharp and pointed apexes to the sword-like leaves. The plants are dioecious which means that flowers are borne by an individual of one sex only; and range from the massive plant of Aciphyllaj colensi, which may exceed i 6ft in height and bear a, thick central flower spike 1 lOft high, to the smaller species with placid leaves, such as Aciphylla monroi, about 18in tall. The midribs; of many of the species are coloured—predominantly reds and oranges, and the flowers yellowish-green. Th«e (plants belong to the same (genus as the carrot. Umbelj liferae. I New Zealand natives provide us with yet more selec-

tions such as the blueberry and toetoe. Dianella intermedia is the botanical name of the blueberry or turutu, a rhizomatous plant which can be easily increased by division. It is somewhat variable in the height it attains depending on conditions and makes a suitable plant for shady places or for planting beneath trees. It bears pale blue or white flowers in late spring which are followed by shining steel blue berries which really catch the eye when the sun reflects from them. Cortaderia toetoe is the largest endemic grass found growing in New Zealand. It will eventually occupy a considerable amount of room and is definitely not suitable for small areas or close to windows or paths. When in flower, which continues from November for about five months, the long white plumes really stand out. From the giant to the dwarf in the form of Festuca ovina glauca, the increasingly popular bluegrass. This plant i forms a neat ball of gaucousgreen needle like leaves up to 12in high. Its unusual {colour is enough to recommend it and it is now widely used in so-called scree 'gardens and rock gardens. It could also be used for border or edging work. The quaking grasses can be considered not only as ; being unusual ornamentals

but also for decorative appeal. Only about five of the 12 species are in general cultivation. They are fairly hardy and will grow in most soils but should preferably be situated in full sun. Raised from seed, they can be sown in spring or autumn. The botanical name of the genus. Briza, is derived from the Greek verb “to vibrate” for the plants have such delicate stems that the slightest movement in their vicinity causes them to waver.