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PRONOUNCED:
AK-or-us gram-IN-ee-us
SIZE:
6" - 18" x equal spread.
TYPE:
Ornamental grass
SOIL:
Suitable for bogs, watersides
or marshes.
COMMENTS:.
Acorus is neither a grass nor a sedge.
This variegated grassy perennial is an
unusual member of the Arum family. This
semi aquatic grasslike perennial has fine
textured foliage which grows in tufts from
a stout rootstock. The plants have long
creeping roots that spread out just below
the soil surface. The insignificant
flowers, shaped like little horns, are
produced in midsummer and more commonly
form on plants located in water. Tidy up
fading foliage in the fall and lift and
divide every 3 or 4 years as the clumps
become congested. PRONOUNCED:
al-oh-pee-KEW-rus pray-TEN-sis
COMMON:
Meadow foxtail.
SIZE:
9" - 1ft. x 2 ft.
TYPE:
Ornamental grass
SOIL:
Fertile, moist soil.
COMMENTS:.
A weedy, medium sized grass common to
meadows, mostly from the cooler parts of
the northern temperature zone. It has an
upright, open habit and spreads slowly by
creeping rhizomes. Do not plant in hot and
dry sites. PRONOUNCED:
BREE-zhuh MAKS-ih-muh
COMMON:
Quaking grass
SIZE:
2 ft. - 3 ft.
TYPE:
Ornamental Grass
SOIL:
Average-fertility, moist soil
COMMENTS:
A cool season annual from the
Mediterranean which is a wonderful
addition to the beds, as well as for dried
arrangements. The stems rise stiffly above
tufted plants with panicles of oval
spikelets which dangle on threadlike stems
and resemble puffed wheat. Do not allow to
dry out while the plants are small. Can be
sown by seed directly in early spring.
PRONOUNCED:
KAR-eks el-AH-tuh
COMMON:
Golden sedge
SIZE:
1 ft. - 2 ft. x similar spread.
TYPE:
Ornamental grass
SOIL:
Fertile, constantly moist
soil.
COMMENTS:
Considered number one of the small, golden
grasses. This is a variety at its best
near a pool or in damp shade. In dryer
more exposed sites it will still look
attractive in the spring, but is likely to
deteriorate by midsummer. A tidy, compact
plant.
PRONOUNCED:
chas-MAN-thee-um
lat-ih-FOH-lee-um
COMMON:
Northern sea oats, River oats, Wild
oats.
SIZE:
2 ft. - 5 ft. x 1 ft. - 2 ft.
TYPE:
Ornamental grass
SOIL:
Moist, loamy soil.
COMMENTS:
This Eastern North American native can
self-sow and become invasive, therefore,
is best for natural areas. The nodding,
flat and drooping ornamental
spikes
can be cut in late summer for dried
arrangements. The bamboo-like leaves and
flowerheads turn a rich tan in the
fall
and reddish-bronze by winter. A wonderful
variety with pink seedheads is
available.
PRONOUNCED:
fes-TOO-kuh GLAW-kuh
COMMON:
Blue fescue
SIZE:
6" - 1 ft. x equal spread.
TYPE:
Ornamental grass
SOIL:
Well-drained, fertile soil.
COMMENTS:.
A popular, small, tufted grass with finely
textured, silvery-blue evergreen foliage.
A well-behaved plant which is best
frequently divided, otherwise the center
of the clump will die out, especially in
moist, rich soil. Removing the seedheads
as they appear prolongs the useful life.
Sometimes, full sun will result in
scorched leaf tips. Perfect in any
perennial bed as it is non-evasive and
adds contrast in texture and color.
PRONOUNCED:
miss-KANTH-us sye-NEN-sis
COMMON:
Japanese silvergrass
SIZE:
6 ft. - 8 ft. x equal to greater
spread.
TYPE:
Ornamental grass
SOIL:
Suited to dry or moist conditions.
COMMENTS:
Miscanthus sinensis is
possibly the most hybridized of all
ornamental grasses. Expansive and can
become invasive, according to the
experiences of my local ornamental grass
expert. It also reseeds with unreliable
results, although some have had good
results with 'Cabaret'
which sports green margins and stripes to
a white leaf. The sturdy, stiffly erect
stems carry narrow, flat leaves. Terminal,
recurved flower plumes endure attractively
throughout the winter and make good indoor
decoration when cut and dried by late
fall. Miscanthus can be a useful seasonal
screen when planted several plants deep.
Propagation is better by division than by
seed. Some popular cultivars: |
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