Grasses are of great importance in the design of the home garden. But which accompanying plants can be ideally combined with grasses?
In a nutshell
- Variety, flexibility and versatility make grasses ideal for the garden
- Bulb flowers, perennials or other plants make excellent companion plants
- popular bulb flowers to combine: crocuses or tulips
- Perennial plants: asters, ferns and coneflowers
- other suitable companions for grasses are e.g. roses or boxwood
Companion plants for grasses
Different plants are ideal for keeping the grasses in the garden company. Below are 15 suitable companion plants, broken down into three groups:
- bulb flowers
- perennials
- more plants
Tip: Depending on the type of grass, use the right partner to decisively enhance the look of the garden. It is best to choose the grasses and the suitable plants at the same time.
bulb flowers
Bulb flowers are a suitable partner to combine with different types of grass. These plants form a bulb underground in the ground. Compared to the flower bulb, all the necessary components are already present in the flower bulb.
Crocuses (Crocus)
- approx. 235 different species
- widespread in Europe, North Africa and the Orient
- popular as ornamental plants
- perennial and herbaceous plants
- Flowering time in spring or autumn
- purple, violet, white and yellow common colors
- Crocuses are the first spring flowers
- often prefer sun or partial shade
Daffodil (Narcissus)
- predominate in southern Europe and northern Africa
- between 50-80 different species
- over 24,000 cultivars
- are among the most important plants for the flower trade
- perennial and herbaceous plants
- between 5 and 80 cm tall
- different shape of the flowers depending on the species
Tulip (Tulipa)
- about 150 species of tulips
- distributed from North Africa to Central Asia
- common ornamental plants in parks and gardens
- popular as cut flowers
- perennial and herbaceous plants
- between 10 and 70 cm tall
- Flower color varies depending on the breed
perennials
The next group of companion plants are the perennials. Particularly colorful perennial species are suitable for a colourful, lively contrast in the garden and combine well with grasses.
Asters (Aster)
- belong to the daisy family
- widespread in Europe and Asia
- popular ornamental plants in gardens and parks
- perennial, annual or biennial plants
- herbaceous or as a shrub
- between three centimeters and three meters
- Inflorescences together or individually
- prefer a sunny and semi-shady location
- medium content of nutrients ideal
ferns
- Group of vascular spore plants
- the true ferns are well-known
- there are over 10,000 species worldwide
- common in tropical locations
- in Europe there are between 100 and 200 species
- prefer shady and moist locations
- partly used as ornamental plants
Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla)
- Genus of plants from the rose family
- distributed almost worldwide
- approx. 300 species native to Europe
- only a few specimens popular as an ornamental plant
- deciduous or perennial
- herbaceous plants or subshrubs
- small flowers with green or yellow color
Funkie (Hosta)
White-edged Grey-leaf Funkie 'Francee' (Hosta x fortunei)
- belong to the agave family
- widespread in Asia
- perennial and herbaceous plants
- hardy perennials
- undemanding plants that can be ideally combined
- Perennials come in different colors
- many varieties vegetative propagation
Purple Bells (Heuchera)
Small-flowered purple bells (Heuchera micrantha)
- over 30 different types
- distributed from Canada to Mexico
- evergreen and perennial
- herbaceous plants up to 145 cm high
- 100 to 1000 flowers
- popular colors are cream, yellow, pink or red
Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia)
- about 20 different types
- widespread in North America
- some specimens popular ornamental plants
- annual, biennial or perennial herbaceous
- up to 300 centimeters
Coneflower (Echinacea)
- belong to the daisy family
- original homeland North America
- persistent and herbaceous
- up to 140 cm tall
- Flowers are solitary
- known as an ancient medicinal plant
More plants
At the same time, there are other plants that combine well with grasses and with which you can add a meaningful addition to your garden. In the following section there is a colorful mixture from boxwood to rose.
Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
- common boxwood native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia
- slow growth
- evergreen shrub and rarely small tree
- grows up to 20 meters tall (subtropical climate)
- clusters of yellowish flowers between March and May
- prefers an oceanic climate
- sunny location
Japanese sedge (Carex morrowii)
- uncomplicated ornamental plant
- comes from Japan
- prefers bright places and moist locations
- up to 40 cm high
- inconspicuous flowers between April and June
- semi-shady to shady location
- protected from the wind
- fresh and moist soil with lots of humus and nutrients
- adequate watering important
Globe leek (Allium sphaerocephalon)
- leek ornamental plant
- widespread in the Mediterranean region
- prefer dry and semi-dry lawns
- up to 90 cm high
- Leaves dry up quickly
- popular with bees and bumblebees
- ideal for environmentally friendly combinations
- prefers a sunny location
- Soil moderately dry and rich in humus
- Planting between October and November
rose (pink)
- between 100 and 250 species
- particularly Holarctic distribution
- divided into wild and cultivated roses
- ornamental plants for over 2000 years
- up to four meters high
- deciduous shrubs
- spiked plants
- open location with sufficient light
- fresh or dry soil depending on the species
- often at forest edges
- not a nitrogen-rich site
Masterwort (Astrantia)
Great masterwort 'Venice' (Astrantia major)
- persistent and herbaceous
- simply pinnate leaves
- unbeaked fruits
- only 10 different types
- widespread in European forests
- semi-shady location with moist air
- casting important
- prefer humus and nutrient-rich soil
frequently asked Questions
Which location do the grasses prefer?Grasses are an important part of planning your home garden. The plants are very popular because they can be used almost anywhere. Some specimens prefer a sunny location, while other species love the shade. There is a suitable choice for almost every garden situation.
Why is Combining Plants Important?Different plants have different needs. At best, these should complement each other so that all plants in the garden get enough nutrients. Consequently, when choosing the type of grass, you should always make sure that the right companion plants are also available.
Why are grasses popular in the garden?Grasses convey a natural impression for the garden. The stalks move slightly in the wind and exude a natural flair. The grasses also change their appearance over the course of the year. The plants are very popular as privacy screens and visual enhancements.