How to Incorporate Basket Grass Plant in Your Garden Design

Basket grass, also known as lomandra, is a versatile and low maintenance perennial plant that can enhance any garden design With its attractive grass-like foliage and drought tolerant nature, basket grass is an excellent choice for gardens in sunny or partly shaded locations Here are some tips on how to make the most of basket grass in your garden design.

Choosing the Right Basket Grass Variety

The most popular basket grass variety is Lomandra longifolia ‘Breeze’. It has a graceful, weeping habit and lime green blades that form symmetrical, compact clumps. Other excellent choices include L. longifolia ‘Platinum Beauty’ with its showy white-edged leaves and L. longifolia ‘Tanika’ which is prized for its tolerance of tough conditions. Consider the mature size, growth habit and foliage color of each variety when selecting basket grasses for your garden.

Incorporating Basket Grass as Focal Points

With their striking shapes and textures, ornamental grasses make eye-catching focal points Plant a clump or mass several basket grass plants together to create a dramatic feature. Contrast the spiky foliage and soft, breezy movement of basket grasses with brightly colored flowers or broad-leaved plants. For example, surround a planting of Lomandra ‘Breeze’ with purple coneflowers and Russian sage

Using Basket Grass as Screening

Take advantage of basket grass’s tall, dense growth habit by using it as a living screen or divider. Plant a long row of Lomandra along a fence or property line to block unwanted views. The grass will sway attractively in the breeze while providing privacy. For best screening, choose vigorous varieties that grow 5 feet tall or more.

Adding Texture with Basket Grass

Incorporate groups of basket grass throughout flower beds and borders to add depth movement and textural contrast. The slim grassy leaves contrast beautifully with bold foliage like hostas. Low growing varieties like Lomandra confertifolia ‘Little Con’ make excellent edging plants. Try underplanting basket grasses with bulbs that flower before the grass greens up in spring.

Designing with Basket Grass Containers

Basket grass looks fantastic in pots and planters, either solo or combined with other plants. Try pairing fine-textured grasses like Lomandra ‘Nyalla’ with succulents or broad leafed companions. For height, plant a tall variety like Lomandra hystrix in the center of a container, surrounded by lower growing plants. Make sure containers have drainage holes and use a quality potting mix.

Planting Basket Grass in Borders and Beds

When planting basket grass in the garden, choose a spot with well-draining soil and full sun to part shade. Space plants 18-36 inches apart depending on the variety. Dig holes twice as wide and deep as the root ball and loosen the soil at the bottom. Water new plantings thoroughly until established. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Caring for Basket Grass

Basket grasses require minimal care once established. Water them during dry periods for lusher growth but they are quite drought tolerant. Apply a slow release fertilizer in early spring. Cut back foliage to a few inches above ground level in late winter before new growth begins. Divide congested clumps every 2-3 years in spring or fall. Remove faded flower spikes as needed.

Combining Basket Grasses with Other Plants

When designing with basket grasses, consider combining them with plants like:

• Ornamental grasses – for textural contrast, try mixing clumping types like fountain grass with upright grasses like miscanthus.

• Asters – bushy purple asters flower concurrently with many grass plumes.

• Black-eyed Susans – cheerful yellow daisies complement wispy grasses.

• Russian sage – silver foliage and airy flowers create nice textural contrast.

• Daylilies – colorful summer blooms draw attention to fine-textured grasses.

• Ferns – combine delicate fronds with sturdy grass leaves.

• Bulbs – early bloomers like tulips and daffodils display nicely at the base of grasses.

Design Styles for Basket Grass

Basket grass suits a variety of garden styles including:

• Cottage gardens – intermingle grasses with old-fashioned perennials and roses.

• Tropical gardens – grasses lend movement and texture among bold foliage.

• Xeriscapes – drought tolerant basket grass needs little water or care once established.

• Asian gardens – low mounded forms work nicely in Japanese rock gardens.

• Modern gardens – contemporary designs often incorporate architectural grasses.

• Hillside landscaping – erosion controlling basket grass handles slopes.

Key Tips for Growing Basket Grass

Follow these important tips when cultivating basket grass:

• Give plants room to reach their mature spread.

• Prune evergreen varieties in late winter before new growth emerges.

• Leave dried foliage over winter for visual interest then cut back in spring.

• Divide when clumps get overcrowded, usually every 3-4 years.

• Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot in clumping varieties.

• Don’t cut back grasses too early or you may remove developing flower buds.

Why Include Basket Grass in Garden Designs?

There are many excellent reasons for incorporating basket grass into your landscape:

• Provides year-round visual interest with arching evergreen foliage.

• Softens hard edges and adds graceful movement with its flowing leaves.

• Contrasts nicely with broad leaved plants, adding texture and depth.

• Tolerates drought, heat, humidity, salt and challenging conditions.

• Requires minimal maintenance and upkeep once established.

• Deer and rabbit resistant leaves make it ideal for problem areas.

• Adapts readily to many garden styles from formal to naturalistic.

• Flowers inconspicuously so attractive foliage remains the main focus.

With its carefree nature and sculptural qualities, basket grass deserves a spot in both stylish and low maintenance gardens. Follow the tips above to make the most of this versatile plant in your landscape design.