Ornamental Grasses

Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus'--Click on photo to enlarge for maximum viewing pleasure!

Now is the time when grasses shine.  They are at maximum height and the flowers are emerging.  Shirl over at Shirl's Garden Watch and I have decided to coordinate our grass blogs and we hope that many of you reading will add your comments and let us know if you are posting about what is going on with grasses in your gardens.  Plants unite us all and it will be fun to see how similar and how different each of our garden grasses grow.

I am drawn to grasses.  The sound, the colors, the motions of grasses are enticingly inviting.  Back lighting with morning or evening light creates drama and grasses can provide enclosure and privacy.  Large drifts are also dramatic in a sensual, primal way.  It seems that every year there are new grasses to choose at the nurseries or garden centers and then there are those that I have tried and failed to grow successfully.  I usually give a plant three chances for success and then I forget about it and move on. I have failed with Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra' or Japanese Blood Grass which prefers good soil which doesn't dry out.  It seems to like it just fine at this nursery and is put to good use in this effective display garden.

This grass is called Pennisetum 'National Arboretum' and it looks nice here in the container but in the landscape it looks like this with beautiful plumes of deep chocolate. This stands about four to four and a half feet high.

Another grass which I do not have in my garden is Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus' which I find a bit gaudy.

I expect to see a lion or giraffe around this grass. It does show up well from a distance and stands a good six feet tall.

This is Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus'.  It is a spectacular grass at over six feet tall and four feet wide.  I don't have any yet but it is on the list. 

Now for the grasses which I do grow and, in spite of three weeks without rain, they are looking fine.  The first grasses that I put in the garden were the ones near the fish pond.  In the spring the pond looks like this and now that the grasses have grown to full height there is a sense of enclosure which actually makes the space by the bench seem bigger. Pictured here behind the iris are on the right, Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus', Maiden Grass, and then right behind the girl with the watering jug there are three Miscanthus s. 'Purpurescens' which are a bit shorter and have a red coloration to the stems in the fall. Here is another

shot of the Maiden grass. I think this is my favorite grass.  At least today it is! This is a better shot of the M. S. 'Purpurescens' which is flowering.    

On the right of the patio there is a stone bench with these Panicum behind it. There are two types,  Panicum virgatum and then the P. V. 'Heavy Metal' which is a good steel blue. The Heavy Metal tends to flop over.  Does anyone have any idea on why that would happen?  It is in full sun and decent soil.

Molinia caerulea arundinacea 'Skyracer
On the corner of the house there is this Molinia 'Skyracer'.  Tucker is sitting in for scale.  This is a great see through plant as the dense foliage is only about two feet tall and the flower heads can reach at least eight feet.  Just in front of Tucker, on the corner of the 'left handed mitten garden' there is this Carex 'Blue Zinger' which is a sedge but looks like grass as many sedges do.  It is very blue and has great texture.

I have another Molinia here in the long island bed. I really like this plant for its' golden variegation.   Next to it is this Chasmanthum latifolium,  Northern Sea Oats. Mine is not quite flowering and I had taken this one a couple days ago at  The Good Earth Garden Center so it is standing in to show the flower heads. The seed heads on it are interesting.

In the pool area I have planted Elymus arenarius and while it is a pretty, steely blue, it runs rampant without organization.  I think it would be better off in a container where it can be controlled!   Fountain grass is also planted in this area and it is starting to flower.  I enjoy all the Pennisetums and the wish list includes a hardy red form.  How can that be so hard to come by?  I know the plant breeders are working on it!

I do have the Festuca glauca here although it is not looking great.  Miscanthus s. 'Morning Light' also needs to be lifted and  replanted as there are plants entwined in it and it is looking a bit weak.

That concludes the cast of characters in my garden plus a few potentials.  All pictures were taken within the last three days.  I hope that you will consider joining Shirl and me in our grass posts.  Please leave your comments on your favorite grasses and if you do have a web site, leave a comment either here or over at Shirl's Garden Watch so we can share our ornamental grass experiences.

 

p .s.  There are some great videos over at Ellis Hollow blog which you can access here.
 

Comments

[Carol]

I've posted about my ornamental grasses... http://maydreamsgardens.blogspot.com/2007/09/grasses-at-may-dreams-gardens-or-lack.html

[Pam]

I really like grasses too - I have a few, but no images that I can easily get too. I planted northern sea oats a few years ago, and as much as I love it - it reseeds like crazy here (and I don't mean just a few seedlings, I mean thousands) - sweetgrass is a popular one too (Muhlenbergia sp.) - I have a really nice clump of variegated maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus 'Cosmopolitan'). There's others too, but I've rambled on long enough.

[healingmagichands]

My ornamental grass post is up too. The Cheyenne Indian grass is available from High Country Gardens, a mail order nursery that specializes in xeriscape plants. That is where I got mine from. A very tempting catalog.

[BOB]

Seems like we are all on the same page. I am going to post about my grasses in a few weeks. Your pictures really show their beauty and use in a garden. They are really a trend plant.
All the best, BOB

[Pam/Digging]

Your grasses look great. I envy you the space for those larger varieties. I must stick to the 4-feet or smaller ones, and I've been posting about different ones lately. Perhaps I'll get around to doing one post on all of them.

[Shirl]

Hi there, Layannee :-)

Great to see your post and photos! I love your collection of grasses and where they all grow in your garden. Good to see larger clumps at GC’s too - that was a good idea to show them and the video link :-)

I agree wholeheartedly about the sound, colours, movement, lighting etc of this perhaps unrated group of plants. Hopefully, collectively, our posts will show its versatility and shear simple beauty just blowing in the wind. Perhaps we will even convert Carol! LOL

In your garden my favourite was your pond area – it is great how the plants altered perspective when they took up more space. I like the tie up with the background plants too.

Ah…. hardy red Pennisetums – I’m with you on that one! Thank-you, I have enjoyed working with you on this post :-)

[Kim]

I had to join in... you can find my post here:
http://blackswampgirl.blogspot.com/2007/09/ornamental-grasses.html

(And add another to the waiting list for the hardy red pennisetums please!)

[Kim]

Forgot two things: 1) Do you think that blue lyme grass would be an option for a hellstrip garden? 2) Those molinas are cool, but whenever Tucker's included for scale he just steals the picture, IMHO! *grin* Please give him a good scratch behind the ears for me.

[Mr. McGregor's Daughter]

I've posted at my blog about my grasses, but I forgot about my Chasmanthium until I read your post. I hate it & am trying to eradicate it because it has tried to conquer the rest of the shade garden with its seeding.

[Mr. McGregor's Daughter]

Again, I forgot something. Your Panicum 'Heavy Metal' is probably flopping because the soil is too rich. Most of the prairie grasses & their cultivars do well with lean soil & no additional mulch.

[jodi]

I kill blood grass too--while it likes it moist, it doesn't want it soggy wet all the time...and winter wet will do it in.
Gorgeous grasses, especially the miscanthus and the panicums. and all the rest of them. (I adore grasses, being a recent (3-4 years ago) convert.

[Kim]

Ah... I forgot to post my panicum! I have 'Rotstrahlbusch' but I really want the 'Heavy Metal' or another bluish one, too. I agree with Mr. MacGregor's Daughter on the richness of the soil, but also have heard that 'Heavy Metal' and some of the other blues have a tendency to flop anyway FWIW.

[green thumb]

Dear Layanee, thanks for your elaborate post about ornamental grasses. Each one has a beauty of its own and their strategic placement can enhance the beauty of any garden manifolds. Will definitely include some of them in my landscape.

[kate]

Wow! You have an amazing assortment of ornamental grasses. I love the Japanese blood grasses and the different varieties of Pennisetum. Sadly, I have a few Festuca glauca in my garden, but that's it. Maybe next year, although there isn't that great a selection of ornamental grasses to grow in this climatic zone.

[layanee]

Carol: Loved your post! LOL and hope you will try some of our favorites!

Pam: Always a pleasure to hear your thoughts. I haven't seen the 'Cosmopolitan' but I like the drink so I would probably like the grass!

HMH: I have the High Country Garden catalog right here! Will check it out!

Bob: I will look forward to your post as I know it will be full of information. I think this is a trend which will stand the test of time!

Pam: I like that you used them in your front garden which I love!

Shirl: I love the pond garden also. The grasses provide a nice landing pad for the dragonflies and they do create a 'room' effect.

Kim: Checked yours out and WOW you have quite a few! Thanks for sharing them. The Elymus is a bit ratty looking so I might choose another. They all seem very durable once established with the exception of the one I have killed, Red Blood Grass!
MMD: Thanks for that info! This is the first year with the Chasmanthum so maybe I will cut the seed heads instead of letting them run amok! Thanks also for the 'Heavy Metal' tip. Maybe I will move them.

JOdi: Maybe when you get home we will see yours! Thanks for commenting 'on the road'!

Kim: Haven't heard of that one but will look for it.

Green Thumb: You will love them in your garden. Thank you for your sweet and kind words.

Kate: The blue fescue is very pretty. I have seen it combined just with creeping thyme for contrast and that is a beautiful combo.

[Kris at Blithewold]

Great post, Layanee! And here's mine - better late than never?
http://www.blithewold.org/blog/annuals/on-mental-annual-grasses/

[Yolanda Elizabet]

Like you I love grasses but I have to be a bit careful with what i put in my garden because of my cats. A few years ago I had to rush one of my Russian Blues to the vet because a blade of ornamental grass got stuck in its throat. Not nice.

Love that very tall molina of yours, I must try it too!

I see that I have to check out quite a few other blogs about ornamental grasses. My contribution will follow too of course, I'll let you know when it's up.

Lovely post Layanee!

[Annie in Austin]

Your post is just beautiful, Layanee,and the grasses look great in your garden. They seem to need some space and open sky to look right.

The only grass I have now is a little clump of Inland Sea Oats, another Chasmanthium, along with grasslike plants like lirope and ophiopogon.

But in Illinois I grew some of the same grasses that you have, including Blood grass, festuca, Maiden Grass and the Zebra miscanthus. I've scanned an old photo from my IL garden and put it at this link for you.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

http://anniesaddendum.blogspot.com/2007/09/annie-your-grass-is-past.html

[layanee]

YE: You would be okay with the Molina as the grass is soft. Also, The Carex 'Blue Zinger' has no sharp points to bother the kitties. I'll be looking forward to your post, as always!

Annie: Thanks for that link. Loved that garden.

[Lisa]

Hi Layanee--
thanks for co-sponsoring this idea--of posting on a concept in unison, and for visiting my post!
Your grasses, (and your garden generally!) are beautiful!
and I enjoyed visiting the video link you added.

Next month-- succulents & sedums? Just a thought!

[old crow]

Wow, you have some beautiful grasses there.

[kris]

What an amazing assortment of grasses you have - they are simply beautiful! I love the movement and sound - especially in the fall and winter.
I have a limited number because one of the great black dogs thinks he has to eat them (some of those blades are sharp - what is he thinking??) so I have to put them between the fence and lake where he doesn't have 24/7 access. Thanks for sharing yours!

[Pam/Digging]

Layanee, I put up a preview of the grasses in my garden: http://www.penick.net/digging/?p=339.

[Caroline Brown]

Hi Layanee. Thanks for the really informative post. I've only recently begun to be interested in grasses and incorporate them into plantings. Your showed a couple of my favorites, the Carex glauca 'Blue zinger' and the Northern sea oats. Another one I like is called Calamagrostis a. 'Overdam.'