Wild Wind-Swept Meadows: Gardening with Grass

Gardening with grasses can transform your garden into a wild, windswept meadow. Fine-textured grass blades and airy, feathery flower heads catch the light, creating a soft, meadow-like aesthetic in any landscape.

One of Carmel Point Landscapes' favorite grasses to landscape with is Calamagrostis foliosa.

Native to California’s rugged, high-elevation zones, this grass boasts a dense, fibrous root system that helps it thrive in drought-prone environments. Calamagrostis foliosa is perfect for stabilizing rocky, gravelly soils and areas prone to erosion, such as those found in Carmel Valley and Big Sur.

Calamagrostis foliosa's low, dense growth and compact habit help reduce flammability by minimizing dry, dead material that could fuel a fire, making it ideal for the fire-conscious landscaping of Carmel Highlands and Pebble Beach.

Once established, it’s low-maintenance year-round, providing a set-it-and-forget-it solution that maintains a natural, cohesive look in your landscape without demanding much attention—ideal for the sustainable landscaping practices of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Ideal for both sustainable and aesthetic garden designs, it also attracts birds and butterflies, offering cover and seeds that make it an excellent choice for a pollinator-friendly garden. Its foliage provides texture throughout the cooler months, while its feathery flower heads add a light, airy touch in late spring to early summer, keeping your landscape dynamic and visually interesting across the seasons. These attributes make it particularly suited for the coastal landscaping of Pebble Beach and Big Sur, where natural beauty and ecological harmony go hand-in-hand.

Whether incorporated into rock gardens, meadow-style plantings, or used as a striking border grass, Calamagrostis foliosa captures the elegance of meadows, making it perfect for bringing a touch of wild beauty and movement to any landscape in Carmel Valley or Carmel Highlands. Its hardiness makes it an ideal choice for low-maintenance, xeriscaping, and eco-friendly landscaping designs.

By selecting native and drought-tolerant varieties that thrive in Monterey’s climate, you'll create a sustainable, low-maintenance garden that enhances both the environment and the aesthetics of your landscape and garden.