These spikes rise to about 5', and give the plant a star-burst effect. The South African Chondropetalum tectorum holds its dark green horsetail-like blades all year, and carries black flowers in spring and summer. Little shiny golden brown bracts along the stems add to the picture. The stems of this plant are quite sturdy, and a clump of Chondropetalum rippling in the breeze is a gardener's delight. It will look its best if cut back hard after danger of frost has passed in early spring.
Most grasses tend to be fairly adaptable and responsive to garden conditions.
Most of the above-mentioned grasses do best in sun, but there are many grasses suited to part shade or shade. Sesleria caerulea is a low clumping blue-green grass that looks neat in sun or light shade. Many gardeners use ornamental grasses to cover problem areas, since some varieties are so forgiving of poor conditions. Best with occasional summer water, it also will tolerate winter wet soils, and is often used as ground cover under trees or to create a 'meadow' planting. Clearly grasses deserve more attention and use in the garden and through their wide variety of form, size, color, texture and growth requirements offer the gardener many choices.