Let me begin this week by inviting all 10- to 18-year-old youth to the annual Adams County 4-H Hunter Safety Camp which will be Aug. 3-5 at the Adams County Sheriff’s Range on Foster Mound Road.

The camp will include range time every day, with certified instructors in the following disciplines; .22 rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader and archery. Every day will also include classroom instructions, training and safety education. Every child attending will be eligible to receive their Hunter Safety Certification, instructed by Jack Withers. Lunch will be provided each day courtesy of local business sponsors. There is no charge to attend this camp and there is a limit of 25 youth. To register, please contact the Adams County Extension office at 601-445-8201.

Now to this week’s question. We often get calls about simple ways to make changes to the landscape to get immediate impacts. Using ornamental grasses is a great way to accomplish this. One of our area horticulture specialists, Donna Beliech, sent me a great article that I thought it was worth sharing and would answer some questions.

Q: What are good ways to add some color and contrast to landscaped areas?

A: The use of ornamental grasses in the landscape continues to climb. They rank very high in the top 10 best selling perennials. They add texture, color, height and provide a novelty type interest as the seasons change. Plus they are well suited for mass plantings, adding background height and can be used in containers. Grasses are a versatile addition to any landscape.

Ornamental grasses can be separated by plant category: grass, rush, sedge, bamboo or cat-tail. Liriope and mondo are referred to as ornamental grasses but are actually lilies.

Ornamental grasses really begin to show off in the summer and fall. Others hold their color well into the winter. By fall, the grasses will have reached their full height and bloom profusely. They have to flower and ripen the seed before winter sets in. Grasses growing in full sun will show the most vibrant color changes. The hues are more muted in shade plantings.

Miscanthus sinensis or Japanese silver grass seems to be more available than most other ornamental grasses. This could be because there are more than 100 named cultivars to date. Japanese silver grass grows about 5 feet tall with upright, arching green leaves. The flower heads pop up and tower over the yellow, purple or bronze “November Sunset” and “Puprurascens” are great choices for delightful fall foliage. Pink muhly is a 3-foot tall clump of fine, dark green foliage topped with masses of cotton candy pink, flower panicles. It blooms in the early fall (September to November). Look for a wonderful deep-pink flowered clone called “Lenca” or Regal Mist.

If pink really isn’t your color than try a Muhlenbergia lindheimer called “Lenli” or Autumn Glow. It grows 5-feet tall, has blue-gray leaves and yellowish inflorescences in the fall. Both are clonal selections by the Mountain States Nursery of Arizona. Another favorite is Panicum virgatum or switch grass. This 6-foot tall giant has flowers that tower over the plant. The most important cultivar is “Shenandoah” because its leaves turn a deep reddish-purple in the fall. Pennisetum or fountain grass is the one that most Mississippians are familiar with. It has bristle-like flower clusters and razor sharp leaf margins.

Older ornamental grass clumps may begin to die in the center. They are easily renewed by division and transplanting. Dig up growth from the outer edge, which is usually the healthiest. Dig and lift with a shovel and use a knife to divide. Throw away the dead material in the center; replant living sections and water immediately.

David Carter is the director of the Adams County Extension Service. He can be reached at 601-445-8201.