Nursery 101

Benefits of Ornamental Grasses in the Landscape

When you think of standout plants for the landscape, your mind might go straight to flowering perennials, trees, or colorful shrubs. But there’s another group of plants that deserves a spotlight—ornamental grasses. These graceful, hardy, and versatile plants are becoming more and more popular in home and commercial gardens, and for good reason. They combine beauty with function, adding texture, movement, and ecological benefits to any outdoor space.

Why Choose Ornamental Grasses?

Ornamental grasses bring a unique character to the landscape that few other plants can match. Their tall blades and feathery plumes sway gently in the breeze, adding movement and sound to the garden. With seasonal color changes—from lush greens in spring to golden tones in fall and frosty silhouettes in winter—grasses provide year-round interest. They’re also incredibly versatile, fitting perfectly into both modern minimalist gardens and naturalized, cottage-style landscapes.

Low-Maintenance Beauty

One of the greatest appeals of ornamental grasses is how little care they require. Once established, many varieties are drought-tolerant and thrive with minimal watering. They rarely need fertilizer, resist common pests and diseases, and only require a simple cut-back once a year. This makes them an ideal choice for gardeners looking for impact without constant upkeep.

Ecological & Functional Benefits

Ornamental grasses are more than just beautiful additions to the landscape—they play an important role in supporting healthy ecosystems. Their deep root systems help improve soil health, prevent erosion, and increase water retention, making them valuable for sustainable gardening. Many grasses also provide food and shelter for pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects, creating thriving habitats in both residential and natural settings. In addition, they require little fertilizer or pesticides, reducing chemical runoff and promoting cleaner waterways. By incorporating ornamental grasses into the landscape, you’re not only enhancing visual appeal but also contributing to a more balanced and resilient environment.

Crape Myrtles: Beauty and Care Tips for the Garden

Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia) are beloved landscape plants, prized for their long-lasting summer blooms, brilliant fall foliage, and attractive bark. Often called the "lilac of the South," they thrive in warm climates but are versatile enough to be grown in many regions. With varieties ranging from small shrubs to towering trees, crape myrtles can fit into almost any garden design.

Blooming Season & Colors

One of the biggest draws of crape myrtles is their extended bloom time. From midsummer into early fall, they put on a colorful display in shades of white, pink, purple, and red. Unlike many plants that fade in the peak of summer, crape myrtles thrive in the heat, offering reliable color when it’s needed most.

Year-Round Interest

Crape myrtles shine in all seasons. In autumn, their leaves turn brilliant shades of orange, red, and yellow. During winter, the smooth, peeling bark adds texture and character to the garden, making them attractive even after the flowers are gone.

Planting & Growing Tips

Location: Crape myrtles love full sun—at least 6 hours a day is ideal for strong growth and abundant blooms.

Soil: They prefer well-drained soil but adapt to many types once established.

Water: Young plants need regular watering, but mature crape myrtles are drought-tolerant.

Fertilizer: A light application of balanced fertilizer in spring promotes healthy growth and flowering.

Pruning: Avoid heavy cutting, often referred to as “crape murder.” Instead, prune lightly in late winter or early spring to remove crossing branches and shape the plant naturally.

Why Gardeners Love Them

Crape myrtles are relatively low-maintenance, resistant to drought once established, and attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Their versatility means they can be used as focal points, hedges, or street trees, adding beauty and structure to any landscape.

With the right care, crape myrtles reward gardeners year after year with vibrant blooms, striking bark, and seasonal color—truly making them a four-season treasure in the garden.

Butterfly Bushes

Few plants are as beloved for their blooms and pollinator power as the butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii). Known for their long, nectar-rich flower spikes and vibrant summer color, butterfly bushes are a favorite among gardeners who want to attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees while adding a splash of beauty to the landscape.

Why Plant Butterfly Bushes?

• Pollinator Magnet: As their name suggests, butterfly bushes are irresistible to butterflies. Their sweetly scented blooms also draw hummingbirds, bees, and other beneficial insects.

• Season-Long Blooms: From midsummer through the first frost, these shrubs put on a show with continuous flowers in shades of purple, pink, white, and even bi-colors.

• Low Maintenance: Once established, butterfly bushes are drought-tolerant and require minimal care, making them a great choice for busy gardeners.

• Landscape Versatility: They shine as foundation plantings, in mixed borders, or as a focal point in pollinator gardens.

Planting & Care Tips

• Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours per day) is best to encourage abundant blooms.

• Soil: Well-drained soil is essential. Butterfly bushes don’t like “wet feet.”

• Pruning: In early spring, cut back the shrub to about 12–18 inches from the ground. This encourages fresh growth and plentiful flowers.

• Watering: Water regularly during the first season to establish strong roots. After that, they handle dry spells well.

Rose of Sharon: A Summer-Long Blooming Beauty

If you’re looking for a shrub that delivers months of stunning color with very little fuss, look no further than the Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus). With its large, tropical-looking blooms and easy-care nature, this hardy hibiscus is a must-have for Southern Maryland gardens.

Why Gardeners Love Rose of Sharon

Non-Stop Blooms: Flowering from mid-summer into fall, Rose of Sharon fills the garden with colorful blossoms when many other plants are winding down.

Tropical Vibe, Hardy Plant: Its hibiscus-style flowers bring exotic beauty, but unlike tender tropical hibiscus, Rose of Sharon thrives in our climate year after year.

Pollinator Friendly: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds flock to its nectar-rich blooms, making it a natural choice for pollinator gardens.

Versatility in the Landscape: Rose of Sharon works beautifully as a flowering hedge, a specimen plant, or a backdrop in mixed borders.

Planting & Care Tips

Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours daily) produces the best bloom show, though it will tolerate part sun.

Soil: Prefers well-drained soil but adapts to many conditions.

Pruning: Prune in early spring before new growth appears to shape the plant and encourage heavy flowering.

Watering: Water regularly the first season to establish roots; after that, it’s fairly drought-tolerant.

Pollinator Perennial Gardens: A Blooming Haven for Bees, Butterflies & Beyond 

Pollinator perennial gardens are vibrant, eco-friendly landscapes designed to attract and support essential pollinators like bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial insects. Filled with hardy, long-lasting plants that return year after year, these gardens provide a consistent and sustainable source of nectar, pollen, and shelter.

By planting a diverse mix of native and pollinator-friendly perennials, you’re not just creating a beautiful, low-maintenance garden—you’re also helping to restore critical habitat and promote biodiversity in your area.

Benefits of Pollinator Perennial Gardens:

1. Support pollinators vital to food crops and ecosystems

2. Require less water and maintenance once established

3. Offer color, texture, and blooms across multiple seasons

4. Improve soil health and reduce erosion

5. Bring your garden to life with motion and sound

Popular plants for Maryland and similar regions include coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, milkweed, bee balm, blazing star, and mountain mint.

Whether in a backyard, border, or community space, a pollinator perennial garden is a beautiful way to give back to nature—and enjoy a buzzing, fluttering display all season long.