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Ornamental Grasses

Many grasses are potted for sale each spring but we do not offer all varieties every year. If you are interested in

a specific variety, let us know early and we will try to have it available for sale. Pricing is generally by pot size

with most grasses potted in 1 to 3 gallon containers.

 

Giant Reed Grass Blue Rye

Characteristics of Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses have a wide variety of characteristics that need to be considered to guarantee a good match for your garden environment.

  • Height - Grasses range from several inches to 18 feet in height. The taller they grow, the thicker the stalk. The larger varietes (10 ft or more) have stalks of a half inch to an inch in diameter. These larger stemmed varities can withstand high winds, ice storms, and heavy snow.
  • Mounding/Spreading - Mounding varieties spread very slowly, forming tight mounds of grass. Usually after three to four years, the mounds should be dug up and divided to renew the grass. Spreading varieties, spread via rhizomes. Fast spreading varieties may be used as a ground cover. In areas of limited space, annual root trimming may be necessary to contain it to its allotted space.
  • Moisture requirements - Most grasses are fairly drought tolerant. A thick mulch is usually all that is necessary for them to survive during prolonged dry spells.
  • Sun/Shade requirements - Most grasses prefer sun but will grow ( slower) in part shade. A few grasses actually prefer shade or part shade over full sun..
  • Grass color/variegation - Grasses come in shades or green or blue. Also Leaf variegation in cream, white, red, yellow, or pink is common and adds contrast to the background green of the leaves and stems. Some grasses hold their variegation all summer while some start out variegated in the spring and slowly fade to solid green during the summer. A few start out green and develop variegation as the summer progresses.
  • Dormant/Evergreen - Most ornamental grasses turn a tan, bronze, or copper color after the first heavy frost or freeze. However most short grasses (18" and less) are evergreen and retain their summer color all winter.
  • Bloom characteristics - Grasses bloom with varying sizes and colors of plumes or seed heads. Some are very showy and can be used for cut flower displays or left standing to add to the winter interest.
  • Winter Interest - Most grasses provide a valuable contrast to a bleak winter scape. The short grasses and thicker stemmed grasses can best withstand the high winds, ice, and snow of winter.
  • Carex (sedges) and Juncus (rushes), although not grasses, are included with the ornamental grasses due to their grassy appearances.

Ornamental Grasses Image Gallery.

If you are interested in viewing a more detailed, larger image, please e-mail a list of those you wish to see or stop over and walk through the display gardens.

Description List follows the Gallery.

 

Ornamental Grass Description List
SCIENTIFIC NAME VARIETY COMMON NAME LIGHT REQ HEIGHT BLOOM COLOR DESCRIPTION
Arrhenatherum elatius 'Bulbosum' Tall Oat Grass Sun to part shade 8" to 12" Wheat Also known as Onion Couch.  Popular meadow grass with wheat like blooms all summer.  Spiky tufts look sharp but are quite soft.  Never invasive, it grows slowly, meandering around other plants. Tolerates drought and poor soil.
Arrhenatherum elatius ssp.bulbosum 'Variegatum' Bulbuous Oat Grass Sun to partial shade 4" to 8" Nice, short variegated green and white grass. Spreads  very slowly by pear shaped bulbs. Divide every three years.  Good specimen or front of border plant. 
Arundo donax 'Variegata' Variegated Giant Reed Grass Sun 6' to 9' Silvery plum White to cream variegation most prominent  on new growth. Thick green strap-like leaves. Thrives with heat and moist soils as well as drought and neglect.  Big, bold, and brassy look. 
Bouteloua gracilis Blue Gamma Grass Sun 1' Fine texture, gray green leaves turn tan in fall. White flowers turn into purple seed heads.   
Briza Media Quaking Grass Sun or shade 24" Abundant long  lasting sprays of delicate heart shaped inflorescences add sound and motion to the garden. Foilage is semi evergreen. Excellent for cut arrangements.
Calamagrostis 'Overdam' Variegated Feather Reed Grass Sun to part shade 3' to 4' Ivory Creamy white vertical stripes along the sides of the leaf blade. Grows easily in average soil with regular watering. Foliar variegation most pronounced in climates with cool summer nights.
Calamagrostis 'Diamond' Diamond Grass Sun to shade 18" to 24" Purple-red Called Diamond Grass for the way the morning light catches the dew and looks like diamonds are sparkling. Prefers moist fertile soil but will adapt to many soil types. 
Calamagrostis brachytricha Korean Feather Reed Grass Sun to part shade 36" Pink seed heads Stately grass that blooms well even in part shade.    
Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' Feather Reed Grass Sun 5' wheat colored plumes Will grow in heavy clay soils. Easier to grow than even lawn grass. Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year 2001  
Carex 'Oehme' Variegated Palm Sedge Sun to partial shade 18" to 30" Grows best in shallow water or consistently moist soils. Leaves emerge green then develop yellow margins. Spreads slowly. 
Carex 'Kaga NishiPki' Gold Fountain Sedge Sun to partial shade 1' Requires moist well drained soil. Grown for foilage in rock gardens and edgings.   
Carex eburnea Bristle-Leaf Sedge Sun to shade 6" Very fine. wispy needle like green leaves form a round 8" clump. Drought resistant.   
Carex hachijoensis 'Evergold' Japanese Sedge Sun to partial shade 5" to 15" White-cream variegation stays nice all winter.  Trim back in the spring. Slow clump grower.  Nice specimen plant with variegation that lasts all season. 
Carex platyphylla 'Blue Satin' Sedge Shade to part shade 6" to 12" Russet Brown Pleated gray-green leaves stand out brilliantly along side other shade plants such as hostas or ferns. Puts up 8" to 12" plums of russet brown flowers. Spreads slowly.  Will tolerate dry soil under trees
Carex siderosticha 'Island Brocade' Variegated Sedge Part shade to shade 9" to 15" Attractive low-growing sedge has lime green leaves with golden edges. Soft velvety leaves. Tolerates more sun if well watered.  
Elymus cinereus Great Basin Wild Rye Sun 4' to 5 ' Prefers moist fertile soil but will tolerate a wide range of conditions.  Grows well in open meadows.   Very ornamental when mature. Striking blue green foliage.  Likes to spread. 
Elymus magellanicus Blue Wheat Grass Sun to part shade 1' to 2' Grows well in containers.  Foliage is very blue. Prefers sandy loam with ample moisture.   
Fetuca Glauca Blue Fescue Sun 10" Low tufted silvery-blue foilage Use in rock gardens, ground covers   
Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' Golden Variegated Hakone Grass Shade to part shade 1' to 2' Brilliant yellowish-green foilage similar to bamboo. Foilage turns pinkish red in autumn. Adapts well to most soils. Cut back in spring before new growth starts. 2009 Perennial Plant of the Year
Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold' Japanese Ornamental Grass Part shade 1' to 2' Golden foilage with a tincture of true green. Striking along a woodland path or beside a shady terrace. Looks best in soft dappled light. 
Koeleria glauca 'Blue Sprite' Ornamental Grass Sun 10" Wheat Small mound of attractive blue-green. Wheat like plums that shimmer in the breeze. Drought tolerant.  Good for borders, beds, and containers. 
Leymus glauca 'Blue Wild Rye' Wild Rye Sun 3' Wheat like flower spikes Large tufts of light blue-gray foilage   
Milica aff. ciliata Silky-Spike Mellic Grass Sun to part shade 24" to 30" White A clumping cool season grass with fluffy white panicles in late spring. By mid summer the seed heads have been shed and the plant stops growing. Plant in regular soil  moisture, average soil. 
Miscanthus 'Purpurascens' Flame Grass Sun 3' to 4' Green foilage turns orange/bronze in fall    
Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus' Variegated Miscanthus Sun 4' to 6' Silver Compact clumping, white and green striped foliage Cut to ground in spring before new growth begins.   
Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' Porcupine Grass Sun 4' to 6' Tolerates a wide variety of soils. Good winter interest.   
Miscanthus sinensis 'Puenktchen' Little Dot Dwarf Maiden Grass Partial shade 3' Plant in any soil type. Cut to ground in spring before new growth begins.   
Miscanthus sinensis 'Cabaret' Cabaret Silver Grass Sun 4' to 6' Copper colored Hardy to -10 to 0 deg. Cut to ground in spring before new growth begins. Wide dark green, white striped leaves. Stems turn blush pink in late summer. 
Miscanthus sinensis 'Yaku Jima' Japanese Silver Grass Sun 3' to 4' Silver plumes Compact clumping. Silver striped green foilage.    
Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light' Morning Light Grass Sun to part shade 4' to 5' Copper-red Adapts well to most soils.    
Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus' Maiden Grass Sun 4' to 6' Copper turning to silver Easy to grow and very hardy. Narrow green leaves with a center silver stripe. Great in masses and screens.  
Miscanthus sinensis 'Purpurascens' Ornamental Grass Sun 3' to 4' Red Grass whose foliage turns to a rich shade of purple-red in late summer topped by an attractive inflorescences in late summer. Very striking when illuminated by the morning sun. 
Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Nicky (Hinjo)' Dwarf Zebra grass Sun 4' Variegated foilage Best choice in banded grasses for the smaller garden. Shorter than Zebra grass and never droops.  
Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' Switch Grass Sun 3' to 4' Red/burgandy Upright airy flower cluster. Metalic blue foilage. Tolerants most soil types but prefers moist spots. Yellow Orange fall color  
Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' Ornamental Grass Sun 3' Red Purple red leaves are accented by bright red plums in late summer. In the fall the leaves turn deep purple.  The variety originated in Germany and is non-invasive. 
Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' Northwind Switch Grass Sun 40" to 50" Slow spreader with green foliage. Adapts well to most soil types.   
Panicum virgatum 'Rotstrahlbusch' Red Switch Grass Sun 3' to 4' Slow spreader with red tinged foliage. Prefers moist, fertile soil but adapts to a wide range of soil types.  
Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky' Switch Grass Sun 4 ' to 5' Sandy Bluest and hardiest of the Switch Grasses. Tight growing, upright clump produces sandy colored flower spikes in the fall.  
Panicum Virgatum 'Squaw' Switch Grass Sun to part shade 3' to 4' Red Missouri native.  Low maintenance clumping grass that prefers medium to wet moisture levels. Profuse red flowers provide summer to fall interest.  Leaves turn brown in winter and continue to provide visual interest.
Panicum virgatum 'Hanse Hermes' Red Switch Grass Sun 3' Compact Panicum grows in a tight clump. Turns reddish toward mid summer and stays red until a hard frost.  Nice for a smaller garden.  
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Japonicum' Japanese Fountain Grass     
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Head' Fountain Grass Sun 4' Rosy-pink Starting a full month earlier than other varieties this compact Fountain Grass sets masses of rosy- pink 8 inch plumes.  Easy to grow, this grass is excellent for borders, meadow gardens, or along the driveway. Good for cut flowers as well.
Pennisetum orientalie Oriental Fountain Grass Sun 4' to 8' Plant in moist, well drained soil    
Phalaris Arundinacea Japanese Ribbon Grass Sun to partial shade 24" Foilage cream and green. Prefers average soil. Border, ground cover, aggresive spreader.  
Phyllostachys nuda Bamboo Full sun 3' to 4' Hardy to -20 deg. In zone 5, dies back to the ground. In warmer zones,  foilage survives winter. In warmer zones can grow to 34' 
Saccharum ravennae Hardy Pampas Grass Sun 8' to 12' Silvery white Excellent 4 season interest. Sturdy stems hold up to wind, snow, and ice. This is a warm weather grass and new growth emerges only after the ground warms in the spring. 
Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues' Little Bluestem Sun 3' Blueish bronze seed heads Burgendy red fall foilage turns coppery red in winter, providing a nice contrast against the snowy landscape. 
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blaze' Little Bluestem Sun 1' to 2' Blueish bronze seed heads Green bronze foilage turns a coppery orange in winter providing a nice constrast against the snowy landscape. 
Sorghastrum nutans Indian Grass Sun 3 ' to 6' Yellow Adapts to most soil types, medium drought tolerant Tall bunching grass with blue-green blades.  Fall color is a showy orange to purple. Easy to grow.  
Pennisetum alopecuroides Rose Fountain Grass Sun to part shade 2' Rose - copper Mounds of narrow, elegantly arching leaves with beautiful rose-copper flower plumes. Easy to grow.  Prefers well drained soil. Excellent cutting plant for flower arrangements. 
Pennisetum alopecuroides Perennial Fountain Grass Sun to light shade 1' to 3' Whitish purple An upright, mound forming grass that is easy to grow in any fertile, moist, wet or well drained soil.  Flowers change to coppery purple and persist thru winter. Green foliage turns a yellow gold in the fall.
Deschampsia cesp. 'Goldtau' Tufted hair grass Sun 1' to 2' Deep green foliage toped with golden inflorescence which is highly ornamental. Prefers moist, fertile soil. Tolerates heat.  
Deschampsia cesp. 'Northern Lights' Variegated tufted hair grass. Sun to part shade 14" to 16" Variegated cream, white, and green. Clump forming.   
Arundo donax Giant Reed Grass Sun 15' to 18' Silver- green This grass is impressive in height. This plant is big and vigourous.  It likes moisture and can with stand stong winds. Native to  Southern Europe, it is the primary wood for reed instruments. It can be invasive in warmer climates.
Miscanthus sinensis Japanese Silver Grass Sun 4' to 6' Silver This variety is non-variegated.  It is clump form- ing but does not die out in the center similar to other Miscanthus.  Very hardy and easy to grow.  
 Burpee 2009 xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
Elymus arenarius 'Blue Dune' Blue Lyme Grass Sun 12" to 18" Bright blue pointed foliage. Drought resistant. Cut back after flowering for a new flush of growth Use as ground cover as it spreads via rhizomes.  
Eragrostis spectabilis Purple Love Grass Sun 18" to 24" Bronze-red Fluffy clouds of bronze-red inflorescenses are soft and subtle in the sunlight. Light green foliage. Drought tolerant and tolerates poor soil. Spreads slowly by rhizomes and reseeds. 
 DeHaven 2009     
Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Avalanche' Feather Reed Grass Sun to part sun 4' Distinctly white variegated with an upright form. Easy to grow selection is attractive all season.   
Imperata cylindrica rubra 'Red Baron' Japanese Blood Grass Sun to part shade 1' to 2' Stunning foliage plant provides a vibrant season long display.  Excellent contrast plant for silver gold, green, or bronze.  
Carex flacca Blue Sedge Sun to part shade 6" to 12" Tan Evergreen clumping grass with silvery blue blades. Looks best with ample water and fertilizer. Place in part shade in hot summer areas.    Water regularly the first year to help it get established. Trim back old foliage in spring.
Luzula nivea Snowy woodrush Shade to part shade 12" to 18" White Abundant white spring flower clusters. Very effective in mass plantings. Upright arching leaves covered with soft fine white hairs. Once established, it is easy to maintain. 
Pennisetum alopecuriodes 'Hamlen' Fountain Grass (Dwarf) Sun 2' White Valued for it's fine textured foliage, showy white flowers, and compact growth habit. Ideal for mass plantings, low borders, and rock gardens. 
Spodiopogon sibiricus Frost Grass Sun to part shade 3' Tan Bluish-green leaves with prominent red tips. Foliage turns a beautiful burgundy in the fall. Average to dry soils and tolerates environmental salt. Cut back in March before new growth starts. Nice full medium ornamental grass.
Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Kitten' Dwarf Maiden Grass Sun to part sun 12-15" Silvery white A tiny mound of green foliage topped with small silvery plumes.  Adds texture and year-round interest to small spaces.  Tolerates heat, drought and cold. 
Psuedosasa japonica Arrow Bamboo     
Phyllostachys aurcosulcata Yellow Groove bamboo     
Arundinaria gigantea Canebreak Bamboo Sun to part shade 6' - 20' The only bamboo native to North America (including Ohio).  Canes grow to 1" diameter.  Tolerant of diverse soil and cultural conditions.  Prefers some moisture. 
Sasa veitchii Bamboo Shade to part sun 2' - 5' A great groundcover for shady area.  Leaf margins turn white in fall, giving it unusual & striking appearance. Prefers moist, well-drained soils.  
Carex woodii Pretty Carex Full shade to dappled sun 6" - 12" Graceful, light green grass-like foliage. Great lawn alternative never needs mowing. Average to dry soils. Host plant for Appalachian Brown & Black Dash & Broad-winged Skipper & Dun Skipper & Long Dash & Mulberry Wing butterflies.
Phalaris arundinacea 'Strawberries and Cream' Canary Grass Sun to part shade 2' Silver Can grow in shade with just morning sun.  In a sunny wet site, it will be  an agressive spreader. Has showy silvery white plumes in summer. 
Helictotrichon sempervirens Blue Oat Grass Sun 2' to 3' Graceful fountains of colorful blades form neat clumps that combine well with other grasses. Evergreen.  
Miscanthus 'Gotemba' Sun to part shade 7' One of the most beautiful miscanthuses. Wide leaves beautifully striped. Vigorous spreader, so plant in a large pot or give it plenty of room. 
Chasmanthium latifolium Northern Sea Oats Partial Sun 2' to 3' Upright and arching. It is treasured for its showy dropping flowers and bambo like foilage. Disease free and very adaptable. Turns copper colored in the fall. 
Boutelous gracilis Mosquito Grass Sun to part sun 18" North American native is tough and drought tolerant. TIny seed heads are borne above thin, wiry stems. Heads resemble aerial minnows darting about above 1 fott dense, narrow blades. 
Juncus effusus 'Big Twister' Rush Sun 18" to 24" large spiraling foilage. Good for poor soils. Bright green leaves. Can use in container plantings.  
Miscanthus sinensis 'Border Bandit' Zebra Maiden Grass Sun to part shade 5' Burgundy Fine textured, narrow, green leaves are marked with gold horizontal bands that light up when backlit by morning or afternoon sun. Mid-sized, sturdy clumping grass. Burgundy plumes provide fall and winter interest.
Festuca abbreviata Dwarf Fescue Sun 1" An incredibly cute little tuft! Stays short and clump forming. Great for rock gardens or troughs. Average to dry, well drained, lime enriched soil.  
 Sunny Borders 2011     
Miscanthus sinensis 'Dixieland' Japanese Silver Grass Sun 3' to 4' Silver Green with white stripes. A dwarf form of 'Variegatus'.   Easy to grow in most soil conditions.  Has summer and winter interest.  
Pleioblastus pygmaeus 'Wooster's Dwarf' Bamboo Dwarf Part sun 18" to 36" A dwarf bamboo with lush bluish green foliage. It is a vigorous grower useful for steep embarkments to help with erosion control. 
Hibanobambusa tranquillans 'Shiroshima' Bamboo 'Hibano Shiroshima' Sun to shade 6' to 8' Variegated Bambo - green with white stripe. Very resistant to insects and diseases. Running controlled by edging annually. Semi evergreen if protected from winter winds. 
Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance' Variegated Sedge Sun to shade 12" Wheat Long shiny leaves trimmed in bright white. Spreads slowly. Deer and disease resistant. Long lasting and easy. Adaptable to wide range of soils. Drought and wet tolerant once established. Evergreen. Cut back in spring before growth begins
Sporobous heterolepis Prairie Dropseed Full sun 18" Pink Refined native prairie grass. Very handsome. Fine textured deep green foliage topped with airy 2-3' plumes in late summer. Deep roots make this a good choice for sunny slopes. Turns bronze in the fall.
Carex appalachica Appalacian Sedge Full to part shade 12" to 24" Native to dry woods of eastern North America. Fine texture and fountain habit make it a lovely groundcover in dry shade. Plant in a container, rock, stump or in a border along a walkway. 
Molinia arundinacea 'Skyracer' Purple Moor Grass Full sun to part shade 7' to 8' Purple shades 7' stiff stems & plum-colored seeds heads rise above 2' dense deep green arching foliage. A narrowly upright grower which tolerates low soil fertility and is not fussy about pH. Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea
Andropogon gerardii 'Lord Snowden' Big Blue Stem Sun 5' to 8' Clump forming selection with large, powder-blue foliage rising up to 8' tall. Thrives in hot, dry locations. Beautiful orange, red, and tan fall color. 
Arundo donax 'Golden Chain' Variegated Giant Reed Grass Sun to part sun 7' Medium green leaves edged in gold. Leaves hold color all season.   
Carex morrowii 'Silk Tassel' Silk Tassel Sedge Part sun to shade 12" Easy to grow Japanese native sedge produces a 2' wide clump of wispy, thread-like, deer resistant foliage in striped white and green. From a distance plant appears to have a silver sheen.  Great for woodland garden or by a  garden pond.
Muhlenbergia reverchonii Autumn Embers Muhly Grass Sun 2' to 4' Reddish pink Medium-sized grass with thin, sometimes curling, mid-green foliage. Grows in nearly any soil including clay and any weather conditions. Highly deer resistant. 
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