Ornamental Grasses

Culture bTrue grasses bfull sun bDrought tolerant bLittle supplemental fertilization bPest free bLow maintenance bCut back in late winter, early spring bInflorescences can be used as cut flowers or dried

Arundo donax bGiant Reed, Poaceae, Z6 bDescriptive Charateristics/Culture: b15’ tall, gray-green leaves, spread by rhizomes, invasive in damp, sunny places bPink inflorescence, drying to silver bTurns brown at freezing bLandscape Use: bSpecimen or background Arundo donax ‘Variegata’

Acorus gramineus bDwarf Sweet Flag, Araceae, Z 5 bDescriptive Characteristics/Culture: bLess than 12”tall, leaves are narrow and sedge-like, partial shade, wet areas bGrown mainly for foliage bLandscape Uses: bSlow-growing groundcover, wet boggy areas Acorus gramineus ‘Variegatus’

Calamagrostis x acutiflora bFeather Reed Grass, Poaceae, Z4 bDescriptive Characteristics/Culture: b4-6 feet tall, deep green foliage, cool season grower, clump forming and upright bFlowers are loosely feathers, slightly purple, turning light when mature bLandscape Uses: bSpecimen, or vertical accent, screen

Carex morrowii bKan suge, Cyperaceae, Z5 bDescriptive Characteristics/Culture: b12” tall, narrow sedge leaves, clumping, spreads by rhizomes, non-invasive bLandscape Uses: bGroundcover, container Carex morrowii ‘’Old Gold’

Cortaderia selloana bPampas Grass, Poaceae, Z 7-9 bDescriptive Characteristics/Culture: b3-10 ft. Arching, leaves 3/4” wide, sharp leaves can irritate skin, bFlowers Sept.-Oct. bLandscape Uses: bSpecimen, limited by size

Festuca ovina glauca bBlue fescue, Poaceae, Z 4 bDescriptive Characteristics/Culture: bSix to ten inches, blue-gray foliage, waxy in appearance, cool season, not tolerant of summer heat bLandscape Uses: bColor accent, container, groundcover masses ‘Elijah Blue’

Hakonechloa macra bHakone Grass, Poaceae, Z 4 bDescriptive Characteristics/Culture: b1-3 feet, rich green, arching graceful stems, similar to bamboo in appearance, warm season, spread by rhizomes and stolons, requires substantial shade in warm climates bLandscape Uses: bGroundcover, accent, container bCvs. ‘Aureola’, more sun drought tolerant

Miscanthus sinensis bMiscanthus, Poaceae, Z 5 bDescriptive Characteristics/Culture: b4-7 feet tall depending on cv., sharp green leaves with white stripe down center, makes nice clumps, may re-seed and become invasive in warm wet areas, warm season bFlowers in reddish racemes turning silver-white in fall bLandscape Uses: bScreen, specimen, accent

Miscanthus sinensis

b‘Adagio’ bFlowers held above foliage, to 5 feet, smaller cultivar b‘Gracillimus’ bFine texture, gracefully rounded, flowers very attractive, to 7 feet, golden yellow in fall b‘Morning Light’ bEdges of leaves white bNovember Sunset’ bLeaves narrow, flowers red

Miscanthus sinensis b‘Strictus’ (Porcupine Grass) b Leaves wide with yellow horizontal stripes bYaku Jima bName given to dwarf varieties

Muhlenbergia capillaris bPink Muhly, Poaceae, Z 7 bDescriptive Characteristics/Culture: bTo 2 feet tall, thread-like leaves, weeping habit bPurple flowers resemble baby’s breath bLandscape Uses: bNaturalizing, accent, container, groundcover mass

Panicum virgatum bSwitch grass, Poaceae, Z 4 bDescriptive Characteristics/Culture: b4-8 feet tall, dark green leaves, upright growth, similar to cut corn, warm season, year round interest bFlowers very airy bLandscape Uses: bVertical accent, specimen, screen bCultivars bHeavy Metal - Blue Switch Grass bClound Nine- Tall Switch Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides bFountain grass, Poaceae, Z 6 bDescriptive Characteristics/Culture: b2-3 feet tall, narrow leaves less than 1/2” diameter, green in summer turning golden yellow bFlowers, racemes resembling foxtails, dark purple to creamy white depending on cv., may be invasive bLandscape Uses: bAccent, groundcover bCultivars bHameln-Creamy white flowers bLittle Bunny - Dwarf

Phalaris arundinacea bRibbon Grass, Poaceae, Z 4 bDescriptive Characteristics: bTo 5 feet tall, green upright foliage, 1 inch wide, cool season, dormant in summer, prefers some shade, may be invasive bRemove inflorescence, doesn’t add to appearance bLandscape Uses: bAccents, groundcovers, containers bCultivars bFeesey- Strawberries and Cream  Picta- White variegation