Ornamental Grasses & Ground Cover
Ornamental Grasses & Ground Cover – Texture, Movement & Lush Coverage for UAE Landscapes
Ornamental grasses and ground cover plants are the finishing touch that brings any landscape to life. They add texture, movement, and layered depth to garden beds, borders, and open spaces — while providing practical benefits like erosion control, weed suppression, and soil moisture retention. Perfectly suited to the UAE climate, these plants are as functional as they are beautiful.
Benefits of Ornamental Grasses & Ground Cover
- Dynamic Visual Interest: Grasses sway gracefully in the breeze, adding movement and a naturalistic feel to formal and informal landscapes alike.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, most ornamental grasses and ground covers require minimal watering and care.
- Weed Suppression: Dense ground cover plants naturally crowd out weeds, reducing maintenance and the need for herbicides.
- Erosion Control: Deep-rooted grasses stabilise soil on slopes, embankments, and sandy areas — particularly valuable in UAE landscapes.
- Heat & Drought Tolerance: Most varieties in this collection are well-adapted to the UAE's hot, arid conditions.
- Versatile Design Use: Ideal as borders, mass plantings, lawn alternatives, poolside accents, and transitional plantings between trees and shrubs.
Popular Varieties
- Red Fountain Grass – Striking burgundy-red foliage with feathery plumes. One of the UAE's most popular ornamental grasses for borders and mass planting.
- Green Fountain Grass – A lush, arching grass with soft green foliage and creamy plumes. Excellent for naturalistic garden designs.
- Natural Grass Carpet (Paspalum) – A salt and heat-tolerant turf grass ideal for UAE lawns, sports fields, and large green areas.
- Scaevola – A spreading coastal ground cover with fan-shaped flowers, excellent for sandy soils and seaside gardens.
- Ipomoea Biloba – A fast-spreading ground cover with attractive foliage and purple flowers, great for covering large areas quickly.
Care Tips
- Plant in full sun to partial shade depending on the variety.
- Water regularly during establishment; most varieties become drought-tolerant once mature.
- Cut back ornamental grasses once a year (late winter) to encourage fresh, vigorous new growth.
- Fertilise lightly in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser.
- For grass carpets, mow regularly and ensure adequate irrigation during summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Red Fountain Grass invasive in the UAE?
Red Fountain Grass can self-seed in some conditions. To prevent spreading, deadhead the plumes before seeds mature, or choose sterile cultivars where available.
What is the best lawn grass for Dubai?
Paspalum is one of the best choices for UAE lawns due to its exceptional heat, salt, and drought tolerance. It maintains its green colour even in harsh summer conditions.
Can ornamental grasses grow in pots?
Yes — Fountain Grass varieties do very well in large containers and make striking patio or poolside features.
How quickly does ground cover spread?
Fast-spreading varieties like Ipomoea Biloba can cover large areas within a single growing season, making them a cost-effective solution for large landscape projects.
