The Pamps have Pamped



I like Pampas grass. I guess it's just a question of scale, I know sometimes they can look oversized in a small space, but not here.

Looking through the pergola, across the tops of Stipa calamagrostis, you can see two Pamps, Cortaderia selloana, growing in front of La Forge. That's Miscanthus sinensis 'Juli' growing in the middle and to the fore. Now in it's second year, It has raced to become a good size, already the inflorescences ascend to a good seven feet and I'm sure next year it will become quite a specimen.




I always think September is a particularly nice month here in Aquitane. Early Autumn skies are the best together with generally settled and pleasantly warm weather. The pamp plumes look stunning against an azure sky, and will do for weeks until inclement weather arrives as we get later into Autumn.

Comments

  1. James Golden16 September 2011 at 15:10

    Beautiful with the stone building and blue sky. They're not hardy here in New Jersey, so I have to make do with Erianthus ravennae. But the flowering stems flop (too wet) and it has taken to seeding like mad. Now I need to pull that out and try something else. Miscanthus giganteus?

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  2. Hermes16 September 2011 at 15:29

    Great title and picture, though not a favourite for me.

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  3. French Girl in Seattle16 September 2011 at 17:05

    Beautiful shots. The sky color is amazing. Pampas Grass grows quite well in Seattle where I live. I love the Miscanthus Sinensis. My favorites are "Gracillamus" because it is so tall and... well... graceful, and "Morning Light". Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

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  4. Becc18 September 2011 at 04:53

    What a magnificent garden, just like the pictures in a book. Pampas grass is beautiful although not a good one for Perth WA as seeds in the natural bushlands.

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  5. littlekarstar18 September 2011 at 06:11

    I just drool everytime you post more pics! Absolutely stunning garden - I love France, wish I could live there too!

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  6. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)18 September 2011 at 12:11

    James, miscanthus giganteus would work perfectly (scale) in your space - in fact, the more miscanthus the better. I'm going to grow m. gracillimus, perhaps the best form, 'sans attendre la plume', though they're still worth the wait.

    Hermes, thanks. Not everyone's cup of tea I know.

    Veronique, you read my mind. Gracillimus is a must.

    Becc, it obviously likes the Aussie heat and dry - too much.

    Mrs. Bok, thankyou.

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  7. Gardens at Waters East19 September 2011 at 01:40

    Rob, It is a quiet night with light rain falling a great time to check a few past postings from Blogs I follow. Grasses sure have become popular, but I agree they can overwhelm a small space. Here at the lake there are a lot of wild tall grasses that sway in the lake breeze. It adds so much to the rhythm of life on the shore. Because of the expanse of the open lake, they look great from any vantage point. Here at the Gardens at Waters East, I often post photos with the lake and the grasses is the background. Jack

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  8. F Cameron19 September 2011 at 15:59

    Love the way your pampas frames the structures.

    I am a fan of it, too. We have a clump of three big ones growing just in the meadow above the deer resistant meadow garden. Splendid right now. I've never had a problem with volunteers where it is growing.

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  9. Diane20 September 2011 at 18:02

    Our pampas is also looking wonderful at the moment I just love it. Diane

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  10. sweetbay21 September 2011 at 02:17

    Your Pampas grass -- against the bright blue sky, the pergola, the old French buildings and the other grasses -- are beautiful. Much better than the way it's usually used here, like two big torches at the end of a driveway.

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  11. joey23 September 2011 at 05:12

    Awesome Rob and the last shot against the amazing sky, stellar! Now, you should pop over for a glass of wine to celebrate :)

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  12. Moya Berry27 September 2011 at 18:56

    We really enjoyed your garden during our stay a few weeks ago. I think there are hardy species in the UK and hope to plant one when we move from the North West to the South West.

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  13. Christine @ the Gardening Blog28 September 2011 at 14:51

    Stunning - I too love Pampas grass although I'm told here in South Africa it can become invasive. But looking at your photos, whats nor to love about it?

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  14. Diana Studer1 October 2011 at 17:30

    Invasive in South Africa, and vicious if you get near it.

    But as you have the space, it does look glorious.

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  15. Christina5 October 2011 at 18:14

    I agree with you, Pampas grass is wrongly maligned. In the right spot especially as part of a border it looks wonderful. You’ve reminded me that I want one to quickly hide some bright lights that have suddenly appeared on our horizon. Christina

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  16. Marie11 October 2011 at 00:44

    Roooooooooob? Are you still there? Miss your posts!

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