Grasses Move Into The Spotlight

"The cold wet summer experienced in Western Europe this year doesn’t seem to have held back the flowering of the ornamental grasses in my garden. From now on until the end of autumn is when things really begin to get exciting here. Of course calamagrostis had been effective for months, but with panicums, molinias and finally my miscanthus coming into flower the garden is reaching its peak." - Speaks Michael King this week (co-author of Piet Oudolf).

Michael King is probably one of the world's foremost authorities on planting design with grasses. Michael lives in the Netherlands, but he is now holding four week online courses at MyGardenSchool teaching gardening enthusiasts, aspiring and professional garden designers, and practising landscapers all about the beauty of using different grasses for both form and function.

Here is a taster for the course (which includes a new video format). Bookings are now being taken for Sept 1st intake. You can learn more about the Designing With Grasses Gardening Course here.

Agrovista Amenity has strengthened its team with the appointment of Ben Simpson, who joins as Amenity Specialist supporting the Landscape and IVM division.Ben brings a varied career background and a refreshed enthusiasm for the amenity…

2025’s prolonged heat put turf surfaces under extraordinary pressure, leaving many venues facing compaction, thinning coverage, and stressed rootzones.As spring approaches, turf professionals are looking to revitalise their surfaces with reliable,…

Visitors to Mansfield Sand’s stand (242) at BTME 2026, taking place from 20–22 January at the Harrogate Convention Centre, will have the opportunity to explore a standout selection of sand-based products designed to elevate the performance,…

Comments

Gareth Wilson August 27, 2012 at 5:06pm

I love grasses and miscanthus is a personal favourite. I love them planted in huge swathes.
Although the great thing about grasses as mentioned they still do well in this miserable excuse of a summer we are having.
Elspeth Briscoe August 27, 2012 at 5:48pm

Hi Gareth - totally agree. Mass planting of grasses can be so stunning. Actually especially at this time of year in the UK when the sun gets lower in the September evenings. *Er what sun*... :o)
Gareth Wilson August 27, 2012 at 6:10pm

Err what sun sounds bout right to me ( although im in menorca at the moment). Grasses are defiantly under rated but seem to be fighting there way back into top position.
Elspeth Briscoe August 27, 2012 at 6:41pm

Menorca. Nice work you.

Yes I think they are under-rated too. Will see how popular this new course is. Michael King is truly inspiring with some awesome photos as well. Has got me back into them anyways! I just think a lot of people don't think about them
T & S Plants August 28, 2012 at 9:27pm

We love Grasses.

Very few Landscapers know how to use them properly in a real garden.

Blocks of year round colour, and why not?
PRO

Phil Voice August 28, 2012 at 9:32pm

"The cold wet summer experienced in Western Europe this year"

It's been a long dry and sometimes very hot summer here.
Elspeth Briscoe August 28, 2012 at 10:01pm

Lucky you! It obviously hasn't been in The Netherlands where Michael King writes from ;o)