Soil

Plant: Ornamental Grass

Term: Mulch

Ornamental Grass

• Can be clump-forming or spreading• YOU DON’T WANT THE SPREADING TYPE• Full Sun• Grow 3’ – 8’ tall• Best varieties for Va.

– Miscanthus – Silver grass or zebra grass– Pennisetum – Fountain grass (Annual in VA)– Pampas grass– Sea or River Oats

• Best planted in spring• Low fertilizer & water requirements• Cut back to 4 -6” in late winter• Specimen or border – not a ground cover

Mulch

• Mulch is simply a protective layer of a material that is spread on top of the soil. – Retards weed growth– Retains moisture– Heats or cools the soil– Slows erosion– Keeps vegetables & fruits clean– Looks nice

Mulching materials

• Pine bark

• Shredded hardwood

• Pine straw

• Straw

• Chopped leaves

• Plastic

• Shredded Tires

• Compost

• Landscape Fabric

• Stones, pebbles or gravel

Review

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• Description

• Advantages

• Disadvantages

• Availability: – Bulk or bagged? Seasonal?

• Cost

Pine bark

Shredded hardwood

Pine straw

Chopped leaves

Plastic

Shredded Tires

Compost

Landscape Fabric

Stones, pebbles or gravel