Late summer is when many grasses come into their own, with golden seed heads shimmering and swaying in the breeze. They look great in big drifts, acting like a neutral foil to colourful late flowering perennials like echinacea, gaura, anemones, sedums and Verbena bonariensis. But they also work well dotted around smaller gardens knitting plants together and adding a naturalism, movement and texture to planting. Most grasses like sun and free draining soil though some such as anemanthele lessioniana and deschampsia thrive in semi shade. Here are a few to try: Tall and statuesque Miscanthus. Some of the best grasses for striking silky seed heads, they tend to flower late but make a real statement when they do. M. sinensis ‘Malepartus’ is a statuesque variety (2m) with a fountain of burgundy flowers, while M. Ferner Osten’ is slightly smaller. M. Adagio is a compact variety with a mass of shimmery silvery flowers. Stipa giganteum. This is a big statement grass, which throws its tall oaty flower heads high into the air – and is best …