Most annual grasses are very easy to grow and produce graceful, airy plants for garden display and also for drying. They tend to mature quickly, rather than last the whole season, but you can avoid an untidy appearance in late summer by cutting off the dry seed heads for indoor use, clearing plants and replacing them with late flowering annuals or more grasses from a later sowing made in June.
For best results, follow these guidelines:
Sow and keep indoors in 3-inch (8 cm) pots during March, because seedling grasses are hard to distinguish from weed grasses.
Grow a few seeds in each pot, and thin if necessary to leave several evenly spaced seedlings.
Harden off and plant out in late May, or early June for tender species such as sorghum.
Plant in bold groups, or thread the grasses between other bedding for maximum effect.
Cut for drying just before seeds are ripe, as they shed easily, and hang up in a warm, airy place.
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Sorghum is a tender species that should be planted in early June.
