GRASSLAND GARDEN smaller grasses were also avoided .
He commented that the tall cosmopolitan grass with the large cream-coloured plumes , Calamagrostis epigejos ( Feather-top Reed Grass / Soutpansgras ), was included because it made such a strong statement ; but that it had to be managed and not over-watered , as it was inclined towards dominance in moist areas which are its natural habitat .
that some plants should be in flower during every season of the year . Shade areas were provided for plants such as the geophytic Scadoxus puniceus ( Red Paintbrush ) with its large striking inflorescence produced in spring . Grasses that were not too dominant were selected , so that they could be interplanted with colourful shrubs , perennials and bulbous species . A mixture of evergreen ( herbaceous species ) and deciduous ( grasses ) was chosen . Grasses that would be inclined to shade out other
Other grasses on the mounding include the attractive Melinus nerviglumis ( Bristle-leaved Red-Top ) with its changing inflorescence colour , from deep purple to white , and Shizachryrium sanguineum ( Red Autumn Grass ) which retains its attractive red-tinged autumn coloured blades into late winter . Andropogon eucomis ( Snowflake Grass ) with its small , shimmering white inflorescences is also a grass of wetland and seepage areas , and has been positioned low down on the mounding near the lawn ‘ water catchment ’ area . Tricholaena monachne ( Blueseed Grass ) has been planted extensively for the misty appearance that it gives to the garden over a long period into early winter .
Barleria elegans ( White Bushveld Barleria ) is a thorny shrub , rising up above the surrounding grasses , that produces
22 AFRICAN DESIGN MAGAZINE © | AUGUST 2018