Grasses

An absolute giant of the ornamental grass world. Considered by many to be the best substitute for Pampas Grass in northern regions, they share similar plumes and height.

Having an upright arching form, the gray-green leaves reach a height of about 5 feet. In late summer, dynamic flower spikes reach skyward, achieving impressive heights of 8 to 12 feet. Silvery flower panicles with hints of purple top these spikes and then brighten to white in fall. These plumes are often used in fresh and dried flower arrangements.

The fall color of Erianthus is just as spectacular as the feathery plumes. Multiple colors including orange, tan, purple, and beige blend throughout. The brown, dried stalks form looming shadows in winter, and are especially beautiful when planted with a backdrop of dark green or with the white of snow.

This is the ideal specimen plant for large gardens. Its imposing size and durability also makes it a good choice for use in parks, golf courses, along highways, or anywhere else a tall screen or windbreak is desired.

An intriguing grass for the shade which is perfect for the formal Japanese garden. Variegated but nearly all yellow, the leaf blades have narrow green stripes, mostly near the margins. Perhaps its most fascinating attribute is the cascading habit in which most of the leaves arch in the same direction, appearing much like a golden waterfall. Plant this grass where it will cascade down slopes, drape over rocks, crawl over the edges of walls, at the front of the garden, or even in containers.

Though this grass does spread by stolons, it is a slow grower and will not rapidly overtake its neighbors. When grown in part shade, the yellow tones in the leaves will be most pronounced. In deep shade, the variegation will be lime green. In the cooler days of autumn, the golden foliage becomes infused with shades of pink and red. People in milder climates will be able to enjoy the buff color of this grass all winter. In colder climates, it will die all the way back to the ground.

Hakonechloa is grown mainly for its beautiful foliage, though it does produce seed heads. Tiny, inconspicuous flower spiklets appear in airy clusters from late summer thru mid-fall.

One of the oldest and well-known cultivars of Miscanthus. Beautiful, rounded mounds of fine, silver-veined green leaves arch gracefully as they sway in the wind. In early fall, fan-like plumes emerge with a reddish tint and then age to a soft silvery-white. They are complimented nicely by the golden-yellow fall color of the leaves.

Miscanthus is versatile from a design standpoint; it can be used as a specimen, for massing or screening, in large containers, or at the pond's edge. Plant this grass where its wonderful winter interest can be enjoyed.

An especially refined and elegant ornamental grass. Fine leaf blades are green with clean, paper-thin, white margins that give the plant a silvery cast when viewed from a distance. This plant is luminous when backlit by the early morning or late afternoon sun. It is prized for its rounded habit that never flops. Many consider 'Morning Light' to be one of the finest cultivars of Miscanthus.

This grass requires a very long, hot growing season to be able to produce flowers. When it does, they are spectacular reddish bronze plumes that appear in late fall. As the seeds mature, they become cream colored and fluffy; they make wonderful accents to the tan winter foliage.

Miscanthus is versatile from a design standpoint; it can be used as a specimen, for massing or screening, in large containers, or at the pond's edge. Plant this grass where its wonderful winter interest can be enjoyed.

Uniform, upright clumps of gracefully arching, deep green foliage erupt into soft rose-purple plumes from early summer until frost. Enjoy its subtle straw color in the winter.

This grass will be a focal point wherever it's planted, but is especially beautiful when the plumes are backlit by the early morning or late afternoon sun. Its compact habit makes it indispensable for small gardens and containers. It is also quick to establish in the landscape and is quite drought tolerant.

Little Bluestem is a native prairie grass that is said to have originated in Missouri. It can be found in the wild as far north as Quebec, east to Maine, south to Florida, and west to Arizona. Once one of the most characteristic grasses of American tallgrass praries, Little Bluestem is now the official state grass of Nebraska.

'Prairie Blues' is an improved selection of the native bluestem. It offers a more consistent grey-blue foliage color that is quite striking in the garden. The narrow, upright leaves take on pinkish orange tones in the fall. Fluffy silver seed heads appear in late summer and last well into fall.

Schizachyrium is a great choice if you are looking to restore an eroded site, or for a plant that will grow in hot, dry areas where other plants have a hard time surviving.