Week of November 29, 2020

The early winter is a good time to enjoy the various kinds of GRASSES that are planted in our Florida Garden. Most are well suited for the hot and dry Florida summers. Of course we have quite a bit of lawn covered with St. Augustine grass which spreads with runners and is somewhat coarser that the soft lawns in the North. Our irrigation system and daily showers do a good job keeping it green and lush. Another grass-like plant is the Mondo grass which is perfect forbthe shadiest spots. Our neighbor Jack and I have planted a bare spot where nothing would grow between our driveways, each planting Mondo grass plugs until now it is nicely covered year-round. Another good shade grass is Liriope, which has both green and variegated strains. They line the walk to the front door and mix with the Mondo grass to cover the front beds. In the back yard, we have several clumps of Florida Gamma Grass, with long green blades and nice seed heads in the fall, for occupation of open spaces in the full sun. Finally, on the side bed by the figs, we have a stand of Purple Fountain Grass, with deep magenta leaves and stems 4-5 feet tall with graceful purple seed heads floating above the blades. The Gamma Grass and Fountain Grasses can proliferate rapidly and often need to be thinned. Another chore for late winter is to cut the grasses back, use the cut tops for hay, and wait for the new blades in the spring. Grasses add texture while withstanding the hot Florida summers as an essential part our Florida garden.