The Easy-To-Grow Ornamental Grass That'll Add Unique Texture To Your Yard

If you want to add a little whimsy to your yard, but also need something that's easy to grow, and won't ask you to spend hours tending to its fussy needs, then you should consider checking out ornamental grasses. These type of plants have surged in popularity over recent years, not only because they're just so low-maintenance, but also because they add distinctive textural elements to your landscaping. One variety that will really get your friends talking is the stunning and unique fiber optic grass (Isolepis cernua). This species earned itself that name because each fine grass-like leaf or stem has a small flower spike at the very tip. When seen from distance these give the appearance of tiny white or silver light bulbs that sparkle in the sunlight, almost like a fiber optic light. Even more delightful, once the grass-like stems get taller they droop gracefully, giving the illusion of a shimmering waterfall.

Fiber optic grass is in the sedge family of plants, so it's not technically a true grass. There are numerous varieties of sedges you can use as colorful ground covers that stay green all year. Like many of these, fiber optic grass is a clumping plant. Remarkably, it's native to areas as diverse as Europe, North Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the west coast of the U.S. Each clump can spread to around 20 inches, with a height of up to 12 inches. Fiber optic grass is an evergreen, but may turn yellow in the fall as temperatures start to plummet.

If you live in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11, then you can grow this unusual plant in your landscape, and it may even be a perfect low-maintenance way to create an eye-catching front lawn. However, If you're in a colder zone, you might want to plant your fiber optic grass in a pot, and bring it indoors over winter. In fact, it is the perfect filler plant for creating mixed containers to position in prominent spots in your garden.

Fiber optic grass prefers a sunny spot in your yard, or at least one that gets morning sun. Be prepared to water regularly though, because this sedge needs moist soil to thrive. You can even use fiber optic grass in a water garden. If your plant starts to get a bit too unruly, feel free to give it a good pruning during warm months. Fiber optic grass will spring back with lovely new growth fairly quickly. If growing these types of plants in your yard has sparked your interest, you might like to investigate some other colorful ornamental grasses to add to your landscape.