Grasses

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Andropogon (Bluestem) gerardii (Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem)

A tall clump forming grass that is native to much of North America. Foliage color ranges from blue green to silvery blue in summer turning red, orange and purple in fall. Has an interesting flower /seed head which is three parted; finger like clusters which resemble turkey feet. Another common name for this grass is ‘Turkey foot’. Best massed in prairie or naturalized areas. Given its extensive root system it is a good grass for erosion control.

  • Height: 4'-6'
  • Spread: 2'-3'
  • Exposure:
Characteristics

Calamagrostis (Feather Reed Grass) acutifola 'Karl Foerster' (Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass)

Erect, narrow, clump forming grass with bright green foliage. Loose open purplish flower/seed heads in June become narrow, upright buff plumes by mid August. One of the first grasses to bloom. Very versatile and attractive. Good for a hedge or in the back of a perennial bed. Unlike most grasses, does well in heavy clay soils and is able to grow in wet soils.

  • Height: 3'-5'
  • Spread: 2'-3'
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Calamagrostis (Feather Reed Grass) acutifola 'Overdam' (Overdam Reed Grass)

12″-24″ tall variegated foliage which is edged in white. 36″ tall gold plumes above the foliage in early summer. Makes an impressive vertical accent. Especially effective in mass plantings. Upright clumped habit with slender stems and rough edged leaves. Tolerates moist conditions.

  • Height: 2'-3'
  • Spread: 2'-3'
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Carex (Sedge) morrowii 'Ice Dance' (Ice Dance Sedge)

Variegated green and white foliage. Bottlebrush-like brown flowers are produced in mid-spring but are insignificant.  Prefers partial shade and moist soil.  Great as a ground cover grass or for borders.

  • Height: 9"-12"
  • Spread: 12"-20"
  • Exposure:
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Carex (Sedge) oshimensis 'Evergold' (Evergold Sedge)

An easy to grow dense, clump forming sedge grown primarily for its foliage effect. Grass-like, arching variegated leaves which are creamy yellow with dark green borders. Brownish flowers in late spring are insignificant. Foliage color is more enhanced in part shade than full sun. Thrives in moist soils. Effective when grouped together in a woodland garden or border.

  • Height: 10"-12"
  • Spread: 10"-12"
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Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern Sea Oats)

Also known as Indian Wood Oats, clump forming, upright native grass which most often occurs in rich woods or rocky slopes along streams. Flat drooping clusters of seed heads which turn purplish bronze by late summer. Seed heads flutter in even the softest of breezes. One of the best native ornamental grasses. Tolerates shade and provides excellent contrast and texture year round to the perennial shaded garden. Excellent in dried flower arrangements.

  • Height: 2'-3'
  • Spread: 3'-4'
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Characteristics Out of Stock

Deschampsia (Tufted Hair Grass) (Tufted Hair Grass)

Tufted hair grass, forms a dense mound of very thin (1/5″ wide), arching, dark green grass blades.   Flower panicles begin with shades of gold, purple and green then turn yellowish-tan after bloom.  Provides winter interest.  Grows well in shade.

  • Height: 2'-3'
  • Spread: 1'-2'
  • Exposure:
Characteristics Out of Stock

Helictotrichon (Oat Grass) sempervirens (Blue Oat Grass)

A clump-forming grass with stiff, striking, gray blue leaves over which 4′ tall flower / seed head spikes shoot up and ripen to soft brown by midsummer. Cut back in April to encourage vigorous new growth. A nice addition to the perennial border. Reliable and attractive accent or specimen that contrasts well against other green-leaved plants.

  • Height: 2'-3'
  • Spread: 3'-4'
  • Exposure:
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Miscanthus (Maiden Grass) sinensis 'Gracillimus' (Gracillimus Maiden Grass)

A tall, graceful, and clumping Ornamental Grass to 8′. Slender, weeping leaves are silvery green and turn golden bronze in the fall. Tiny reddish-copper, tassel-like fronds appear in fall that later turns silvery white, can be used as cut or dried flowers. Use as a specimen or for mass plantings. Shear after first frost for overwintering.

  • Height: 4'-8'
  • Spread: 3'-6'
  • Exposure:
Characteristics Out of Stock

Miscanthus (Maiden Grass) sinensis 'Purpurascens (Flame Grass)

Also known as Flame Grass because of the orange/red/purple fall color.  Creamy white plumes appear in late summer and complement the beautiful fall color. A compact grass with a graceful, arching habit. Tolerant of heavy clay soils.

  • Height: 3'-5'
  • Spread: 3'-4'
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Miscanthus (Maiden Grass) sinensis 'Silberfeder' (Silver Feather Grass)

Produces big silver to white plumes in mid to late August. Dense green and white striped foliage. Slow spreading broad clumps. Prefers a moist, well-drained soil full sun to part shade. An excellent choice for tall borders or a specimen. Great for cut flowers and provides winter interest.

  • Height: 6'-8'
  • Spread: 3'-4'
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Miscanthus (Maiden Grass) sinensis 'Strictus' (Porcupine Grass)

Medium-green foliage with horizontal gold-bands. Foliage fades to tan after frost. Holds it’s stiff leaves erect like porcupine quills. Copper colored plumes open in mid-September, turning into silver plumes which persist into the winter. Clump forming with very tight growth habit. Can be used as a specimen, massing or screening.

  • Height: 4'-7'
  • Spread: 3'-5'
  • Exposure:
Characteristics Out of Stock

Miscanthus (Maiden Grass) sinensis 'Zebrinus' (Zebra Grass)

A clump-forming grass noted for its zebra-striped, golden-yellow, irregular banded foliage. The foliage dries and turns a light tan shade for the winter. Flower stalks rise up to 2′ above the foliage topped with tiny pink / copper tinted blooms that gradually turn a silvery white. These plumes persist well into winter providing good winter interest. Useful as a specimen, in the border, or for mass planting. Clumps may be divided in spring before new growth appears.

  • Height: 5'-8'
  • Spread: 4'-6'
  • Exposure:
Characteristics Out of Stock

Panicum (Switch Grass) virgatum 'Heavy Metal' (Heavy Metal Switch Grass)

Very stiff upright, clump-forming plant with metallic blue foliage, and yellow fall color. Pink-tinged blooms are airy and attractive from summer through winter, fading to a straw-yellow in late fall. Shorter than many of the Switch Grasses. Well suited as a border plant, in groups or mass plantings.

  • Height: 3'-5'
  • Spread: 1'-2'
  • Exposure:
Characteristics

Panicum (Switch Grass) virgatum 'Northwind' (Northwind Switch Grass)

Interesting blue-green foliage color and stiff, upright habit. Nice yellow fall color. Late to begin growth in the spring, but when it starts will rapidly catch up. Good for massing and cutting. Attractive narrow plumes top the plant in September. Adds great fall and winter interest with its bright off-season foliage and fluffy seed heads. Does not bend or collapse in rough winter weather. Very adaptable and tolerant of various growing conditions.

  • Height: 5'-6'
  • Spread: 3'-4'
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Panicum (Switch Grass) virgatum 'Prairie Sky' (Prairie Sky Switch Grass)

Narrow clumps of stiffly upright, powdery blue foliage. Nice yellow foliage in the fall which eventually browns in late fall through winter. Fine dark red flowers form an airy cloud above the foliage in late summer, turning beige as they mature. Very similar to P. ‘Heavy Metal’ except taller and bluer in color. Low Maintenance.

  • Height: 4'-6'
  • Spread: 2'-3'
  • Exposure:
Characteristics Out of Stock

Panicum (Switch Grass) virgatum 'Rotsrahlbusch' (Red Switch Grass)

Narrow silver-green leaves change to red as they mature. Red to purple seed heads plumes make for a very colorful specimen. Burgundy-red fall color, fading to tan for winter. Clump forming. Likes sun and tolerates a wide range of soils, including dry ones, but prefers moist, sandy or clay soils.

  • Height: 4'-5'
  • Spread: 2'-3'
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Panicum (Switch Grass) virgatum 'RR1' (Ruby Ribbons Switch Grass)

Blue green foliage which turns wine red and intensifies as summer progresses. Flowers in late summer, followed by ornamental seed heads which persist into the winter. Upright growth habit. Excellent for perennial borders, or in mass plantings. Foliage typically retains vertical form without flopping throughout the growing season and into winter.

  • Height: 4'-5'
  • Spread: 2'-3'
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Characteristics Out of Stock

Panicum (Switch Grass) virgatum "Shenandoah' (Shenandoah Red Switch Grass)

Easily mistaken for Japanese Blood Grass (Imperata cyl. ‘Rubra’) leaf tips turn red soon after it starts growing in the spring. It’s fall foliage is a spectacular deep burgundy color. A compact selection of an American native prairie grass. Attracts birds. Will grow in part shade, but begins to lose its columnar form, growing more openly.

  • Height: 3'-6'
  • Spread: 1'-3'
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Pennisetum (Fountain Grass) alopecuroides (Fountain Grass)

Narrow, bright green, gracefully arching leaves. 6-8″ spikes, silver-rose feathery plumes which mature to rose-copper seed heads. Excellent for mass plantings and as border accent. Blooms mid to late summer. Compact grass forming dense mounds. Flower plumes are good in dried arrangements. Fall foliage is yellow-gold. Fountain grass grows well in any fertile, moist, wet or well-drained soil.

  • Height: 3'-4'
  • Spread: 3'-4'
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Pennisetum (Fountain Grass) alopecuroides 'Hameln' (Hameln Dwarf Fountain Grass)

A hardy, compact, mounding fountain grass growing up to 2 feet in height. Green narrow arching foliage. Numerous brownish tan plumes arch above the foliage from mid summer through fall. (August – October), spraying like a fountain. Tolerates drought and partial shade and likes well drained soils. Weeping, vase-shaped habit.

  • Height: 18"-24"
  • Spread: 18"-24"
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Schizachyrum (Blustem) Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation' (Blue Stem Standing Ovation)

This little bluestem is remarkable for its very tight, upright habit, its thick blades, great drought resistance, and lovely colors: red tips transition through purple down to blue-green! ‘Standing Ovation’ is even beautiful as it goes dormant in winter, when its fine, upright foliage takes on a reddish amber tone. The only maintenance this easy plant requires is that the old growth be cut back in early spring to make way for new growth. It will self-seed and come back larger every year to fill an area, but this spread is slow and never invasive.

  • Height: 3-4'
  • Spread: 12-18"
  • Exposure:
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Related Links
Characteristics
  • Attracts Birds
  •  
    Rabbit Resistant
  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Attracts Hummingbirds
  • Deer Resistant
  • Fragrant
  • Salt Tolerant
  • Shade
  • Wet Soils