However, selecting the right ornamental grass can be a challenge due to the variety of grasses available. Thanks to the University of Illinois Extension's new website, help is only a mouse click away. Designed by Greg Stack, Extension urban horticulture educator based in Chicago, the site provides basic information necessary to planting and maintaining ornamental grasses. There are cool season grasses and warm season grasses.
Grasses respond and start to grow based upon temperature.
Some grasses will start to grow in early spring when temperatures are still cool and others will wait until the soil is warm and temperatures are more stable. Gardeners need to determine which type is best for them. The new site details 12 different types of ornamental grasses and includes background information plus a photograph for each. Ornamental grasses can be planted in the spring or fall and the site provides information to aid gardeners in determining which planting season is best for their purposes. Information is also available on the site to help gardeners maintain ornamental grasses.