How-to: growing ornamental grasses from seeds

Ever wanted to grow ornamental grass that comes back year after year, looking stunning each time? Here's 5 lush variations to try!

While many ornamental grasses are perennials, there are also some good annual grasses that are easy to grow from seed and that make good additions to a border.

• Most are pretty small and are useful as edging or for planters where you don't need towering spikes.

Briza (quaking grass) comes in two forms: little quaking grass (B. minor), which grows 45 centimetres (18 inches) tall, and big quaking grass (B. maxima), which grows to one metre (three feet) high.

Both have small heads of seed on the end of thin stalks that move in the slightest breeze. And they can be dried for winter arrangements!

• How to grow it: Sow indoors about six weeks before the last frost and plant outside once the soil is warm, about 25 centimetres (10 inches) apart.

Coix lachryma-jobi (Job's tears) grows one metre (three feet) tall with cornlike leaves. There are flowers clustered in the tips of the shoots, with individual seed heads arching downward, and creating good dried flowers.

Seeds are hard, white, shiny, full of protein, and make a rich flour. They are often found in rosaries.

• How to grow it: Sow indoors eight weeks before planting time and space them 30 centimetres (12 inches) apart.

Lagurus ovatus (hare's tail) is a charming little grass that grows 30 centimetres (12 inches) tall and has fluffy seed heads eight centimetres (3 1/4 inches) long that start green and turn whitish with age. They are attractive when dyed in different colours.

• How to grow it: Sow three to four weeks before the last frost and space the seedlings out in well-drained soil, 15 centimetres (six inches) apart.

Pennisetum setaceum (fountain grass) is an annual version of the perennial one you might see at a nursery. It will grow to 1.5 metres (five feet) tall and has plumes tinged with pink or purple.

The variety 'Burgundy Giant' is a bit taller and has leaves of a deep burgundy shade and dark red flower spikes. Both may be hardy in warm climates.

• How to grow it: Start seeds six weeks before the last frost and plant out 35 to 45 centimetres (13 to 18 inches) apart.

Triticum 'Black Tip' is from the wheat family, and it has black bristles on the tips of the white seed and makes very attractive dried flowers.

Another form has black seeds and bristles. Many varieties of wheat can be dried in fall for use in attractive dried arrangements.

• How to grow it: Seeds should be started indoors where growing seasons are short, but can be sown directly in the garden in more moderate climates. They do not make very attractive plants and are best grown in a cutting garden.

With these different grasses, you can find a variety that tailor-fits your garden and have dried arrangements from most of them to decorate your home in the fall!