Perennials - Ornamental Grass

Perennials - Ornamental Grass

The Grass, 'Autumn Moor', Sesleria autumnalis, is very upright.This grass is a tough yet beautiful evergreen with vivid yellow green to almost chartreuse foliage. The attractive flowers grow up to 4" to 6" long, and emerge as purplish black upright spikes. The blades are held erect and become silvery white in late summer to fall. The lime green foliage is ideal for edging. A phenomenal grass to use as a large-scale groundcover, a filler in beds, or as an underplenting for shrubs and trees.

Big Bluestem Grass

The Grass, 'Big Bluestem', Andropogon gerardii, is a native prairie grass. This grass is also called Turkey feet because the shape of the seed heads look like turkey feet. It is also called beard grass. The name big bluestem grass comes from the fact that this grass can grow to very big, 4 to 7 feet as a matter of fact. The hairy blades, which can get to be 12 inches long and 1/2 inch wide, will get a red tinge on the leaves as they get older, and turn bronze in the fall. Very attractive grass which works well as an accent plant or in mass plantings.

Blue Oat Grass

The Grass 'Blue Oat Grass', Helictotrichon sempervirens , is more enduring than blue fescues. Blue Oat grass is the best choice for accents. The clear blue summer foliage echoes with dwarf blue spruce and blue junipers. For a dramatic effect, try Helictotrichon with deep maroon leaved canna lilies. The blades are upright and divergent. Blue Oat grasses are mostly grown for its metallic blue foliage. The handsome flowers resembling one-sided oat panicles appear in June and grow 1-2 feet above the leaves.

China Love Grass

The Grass 'China Love Grass', Eragrostis sp., is a dense mounded grass with a handsome compact foliage. The beautiful, pinkish-red, airy flowers, from summer to fall, form a dense, cloud-like appearance over clumping, dwarf foliage. Place this grass in full sun. China Love grasses begin to bloom early. This fescue-like plant produces fluffy drifts of pinkish red flowers through summer. As the seed heads mature, they turn an enchanting shade of gold.

Denver Botanic Garden Brome Grass

The Grass 'Denver Botanic Garden Brome', Brachypodium sylvaticum, is a mounded ornamental grass. It is beautiful with Hosta and Ferns. The soft downy foliage and slender oat-like flowers need good drainage to look their best. They can be planted along banks of ponds, incorporated into perennial gardens, grouped together, utilized as a ground cover along walkways, paths or on steep banks. They aren't fussy about soil requirements, are drought tolerant as well as insect and disease resistant.

Dwarf Fountain Grass

The Grass 'Dwarf Fountain Grass', Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'. The dwarf fountain grass 'Hameln' is a great grass for a specimen or in mass plantings. The leaves are narrow and arch, add to this seed-heads that resemble bottle brushes which are a rose copper bristly head. They can be planted along banks of ponds, incorporated into perennial gardens, grouped together, utilized as a ground cover along walkways, paths or on steep banks. They aren't fussy about soil requirements, are drought tolerant as well as insect and disease resistant.

Dwarf Variegated Ribbon Grass

The Grass 'Dwarf Variegated Ribbon grass', Phalaris arundinacea dwarf garters, is an outstanding, upright arching grass. It is similar to 'Strawberries and Cream', except the white-striped foliage loses its pink tint by early summer. It's also better mannered and not as floppy. Showy, soft white flowers rise 6 - 12" above the foliage. Even after the first frost has turned the foliage and flowers a warm beige, their beauty remains throughout the winter. Dwarf Varigated Ribbon grasses are agressive growers.

Dwarf White Striped Sweet Flag Grass

The Grass 'Dwarf White Striped Sweet Flag', Acorus gramineus Variegatus, is a mounded, non-invasive rhizone. This old garden favorite loves moist conditions. The arching sword-like foliage will light up shady corners, form attractive mass plantings, or add a bold accent.Sweet Flag is neither a sedge or a grass but a grass-like perennial and does well planted by the side of a pond or any boggy spot. It is evergreen and will grow in light shade or sun.

Evergold Sedge Grass

The Grass 'Evergold Sedge', Carex hoshimensis 'Evergold' is a mounded grass. A Japanese sedge that forms a low cascading clump of evergreen leathery leaves with a sunny cream-colored stripe down the center.'Evergolds' will tolerate dry shade but prefers sites with moist, rich soil. A choice plant for edging or in the rock garden. It is a great container plant as well as a good ground cover .

Feather Reed Grass

The Grass 'Feather Reed Grass', Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster', is a beautiful upright grass. 'Karl Forester' is a cool season grower with dark green, shiny foliage that appears in early spring and lasts until late fall. The flowers appear in June - earlier than many other ornamental grasses.It grows best in moist, well-drained fertile soil, and does well in moist heavy clay soil. This is a cool-season grass, which allows planting or transplanting in spring or fall. It truly has year-round beauty.

Golden Fruited Sedge Grass

The Grass 'Golden Fruited Sedge', Cyperales Cyperaceae Carex aurea, is a mounded sedge grass. A sedge with beautiful silver foliage and showy spring flowers that yield bright yellow fruit. A choice Hosta companion. A very nice tufted perennial grass. They can be planted along banks of ponds, incorporated into perennial gardens, grouped together, utilized as a ground cover along walkways, paths or on steep banks. They aren't fussy about soil requirements, are drought tolerant as well as insect and disease resistant.

Golden Toupee Fescue Grass

The Grass 'Golden Toupee Fescue', Festuca ovina glauca 'Golden Toupee', is a beautiful tufted ornamental grass. A superb choice for a showy border planting or rock garden, the tight clumps of bright yellow foliage also complement conifers and other evergreens and also work well in containers. Somewhat insignificant, pale green flowers first appear in flattened, terminal panicles above the foliage on erect, slender stems in early summer, maturing to a straw color by mid-summer Pest and disease free.

Golden Variegated Hakone Grass

The Grass 'Golden Variegeted Hakone Grass', Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola', is a mounded non-invasive rhizome grass. It has brilliant yellow, bamboo-like foliage streaked with green lines. In the fall, the leaves turn an intense ruby pink. Attractive as a specimen, in mass plantings, or in combination with other shade loving plants. Prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil with light shade or half-day sun. The yellow variegation turns red/brown if grown in too much sun. Pest and disease free.

Golden Variegated Sweet Flag Grass

The Grass 'Golden Variegated Sweet Flag', Acorus gramineus Ogon, is a mounded, non-invasive rhizome grass. It is great for containers, edging or as a groundcover. Fragrant, butter yellow sword-like blades create a striking contrast. Rich golden yellow foliage grows to 10 inches high, 1 foot spread. It has a typical philodendron flower that can be used fresh or dried. It grows well in pots, ponds, as an edging or groundcover and even grows indoors. It doesn¹t like to dry out but can handle sun or shade.

Green Sedge Grass

The Grass 'Green Sedge', Carex dipsacea, is a mounded sedge. It is striking and versatile. Green Sedge features slender, iridescent olive green leaves.It does well in a variety of conditions, especially mixed containers. This perennial is a native plant.Contrary to true ornamental grasses, Green Sedge grows well in shaded situations with moist, well-drained soil. These grass-like, clumping plants are grown for foliage effect in borders, containers, ground cover, rock gardens and water gardens.

Heavy Metal Switch Grass

The Grass 'Heavy Metal Switch Grass', Panicum virgatum, is also known as Blue Switch Grass. The 'Heavy Metal' switch grass has a striking metallic blue leaf color. It has a very upright, erect growth habit and will not fall over in a heavy rain. In autumn, pink flowers are formed and the fall leaf color is yellow.The loose, broad, weeping plumes of purple-green spikelets, bloom stalks rise above the foliage. It is quite handsome when used in groups. It thrives in full to partial sun.

Horsetail Rush Grass

The Grass 'Horsetail Rush', Equisetum hyemele, is an upright mounded, clumping rhizome. An ancient plant with bushy, slender stems and a weeping habit. When young, the slender stems grow horizontally but the plant sends up thicker, vertical stems as it ages. In winter, the evergreen, gray green foliage turns a rich bronze. It has jointed, hollow stems that are furrowed and green with black bands that give it a bamboo-like appearance.

Indian Grass

The Grass 'Indian Grass', Sorghastrum nutans, is a clump forming native grass that reaches 4-5' in height. Indian grass is one of the most important native tall grasses. There are prominent claw-like lobes or "rabbit-ears" at the point where the leaf blade attaches to the stem. Indian Grasses have plume-like seed heads that turn a chestnut brown, and later take on a grey coloration. This grass is fairly tolerant to drought conditions. Seeds are consumed by birds and small mammals.

Leather Leaf Sedge Grass

The Grass 'Leather Leaf Sedge', Carex buchananii, is an upright grass and a native of New Zealand. This variety prefers moist, fast-draining, rocky soil. The finely textured copper foliage contrasts vividly with dark green, blue, and silver plants. Equally at home in containers and rock gardens. This evergreen perennials copper foliage is attractive on this fine textured grass. The clumps can grow up to 3’ tall, with a spreading form and arching gracful & dainty foliage.

Little Bluestem Grass

The Grass 'Little Bluestem', Schizachyrium scoparium, is a native American prairie grass. It is also know as "Sagegrass" or "Beard grass'. It can reach up to 3-4' and has a blueish hue to the leaves. The leaves turn a rich orangy wheat color in fall. Flowers are scattered along the upper parts of the stem branches, with long hairs creating a feathery appearance. There is a single, white,hairy flower cluster at the tip of each stalk.

Mexican Feather Grass

The Grass 'Mexican Feather Grass' Stipa tenuissima', is a beautiful mounded ornamental grass. It's Needle-like flexible leaves form dense, bright green clumps. The flowers are silky awns that appear in June and change from green to gold as they mature.It has shown cold-hardiness and also is a trooper in the sweltering hot summer. This is an environmentally friendly grass with virtually no pests or diseases. Spectacular when backlit at night, they are striking alone, or in large masses or drifts.

New Zealand Hair Sedge Grass

The Grass 'New Zealand Hair Sedge', Carex comans Frosted Curls, is a tufted, fine textured, evergreen sedge with 1/16"-wide, hairlike, almost cylindrical leaves that form dense tufts. The slightest breeze causes the iridescent, light green foliage to shimmer and glow. When allowed to spill over rocky slopes or walls, this variety creates the illusion of falling water. Does best in moist, fast-draining soil. Plant this perennial in full to partial sun.

Northern Pampas Grass

The Grass 'Northern Pampas Grass', Erianthus ravennae, grass is an outstanding plant. The tall flower stalks of this grass stand well above the foliage. The foliage grows in an arching, fountain-like way. The silvery white flower stalks are good for drying. Northern Pampas grass makes an excellent specimen plant. This amazing grass can grow in hard, rocky areas, flooded areas, dry and damp ground plus its normal habitat. The leaves die during frosts in northern climates, but grow back in the spring.

Northern Sea Oats Grass

The Grass 'Northern Sea Oats', Chasmanthium latifolium, is upright and arching. It is treasured for its showy, dropping flowers and slender, bamboo-like foliage that changes from green, to copper, to rich brown.It self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season. Magnificent for winter contrast, it flourishes in contianers or even in a shady, damp site -- including coastal areas. Pest and disease free.

Orange Sedge Grass

The Grass 'Orange Sedge', Carex testacea, is a mounded ornamental grass. This lovely evergreen grass has a ine-textured, glossy foliage that emerges as olive green and turns a rich russet orange with the arrival of cool fall temps. A fantastic coice for mixed autumn containers, it also thrives in areas with moist, well-drained soil.

Oriental Ftn Tall Tales Grass

The Grass 'Oriental Fountain Grass Tall Tales', Pennisetum orientale ‘Tall Tales’, is upright and arching. Wonderful in the border plantings or in planters, this beautiful and elegant Pennisetum is prized for its showy pink flowers. One of the longest blooming and best clumping grasses. Prefers well-draining soil in full sun, but tolerates partial shade. Also tolerant of high temperatures, high humidity, high wind, drought, acidic to alkaline soils, and is pest free. Makes a dramatic statement anywhere in the landscape.

Perennial Quaking Grass

The Grass 'Perennial Quaking Grass', Briza media, is the most common perennial Quaking Grass.The flowers rise a foot or more above the slender foliage to quiver in the breeze. Outstanding all-purpose grass both as a specimen, massed in groups, in borders, or as a groundcover. It is a clumping deciduous grass with tall inflorescences with little bead-like seedheads from late spring into summer. Very hardy, tolerant of a range of soil conditions and pretty drought tolerant once established. and is not invasive.

Prairie Dropseed Grass

The Grass 'Prairie Dropseed', Sporobolus heterolepis, is a native American prairie plant. Prairie Dropseed produces a magnificent fountain of fine-textured, emerald green leaves, adding a touch of elegance to any planting. Considered by many to be the most handsome of the prairie grasses, it makes a well-defined and distinctive border when planted 18 to 24 inches apart. As the seed ripens, it droops over.The plant turns a golden yellow in the fall.

Purple Fountain Grass

The Grass 'Purple Fountain Grass', Pennisetum setaceum, is a fast growing, clump grass. It has purple foliage and purple foxtail-like flowers. This plant is only an annual in northern climates. It makes a great speciment plant and can be used as a center piece in a container.Plant in fertile well drained soil in full sun after all danger of frost has passed. "Purple Fountain Grass" is a vigorous grower that will quickly fill in any bed or container. The foxtail like plumes will appear mid summer and last until first frost.

Red Bunny Tails Ftn Grass

The Grass 'Red Bunny Tails Fountain Grass', Pennisetum messiacum, is an upright arching plant. It has green foliage with beautiful red foxtail blooms that become buff-white with maturity. This lovely grass is a wonderful specimen as a plant or in borders. Red Bunny fountain grasses are excellent for large containers. The flowers look like a rabbit's foot. Glossy green foliage with burgundy highlights, and stockier, cattail-like flowers. Pest and disease free.

Shenandoah Switch Grass

The Grass 'Shenandoah Switch Grass',Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah', has a burgundy-red color to the foliage.This one starts out red in June, by mid-summer it looks like Bloodgrass, and in fall, it is a rich burgundy. The foliage starts out as deep green but takes on the red color thru the summer. This plant will grow in dry to moist soils or well-drained, loamy, sandy or clay soils with a pH of a neutral to slightly alkaline. It's attributes include naturalizing, attracting birds and suitable for cut and dried flowers.

Slender Veldt Grass

The Grass 'Slender Veldt Grass', Pennisetum spathiolatum, has slender leaves that grow to 12", with blooms that reach another 2-3 feet higher. It has the perfect vertical accent with its "see-through" form. This South African native is drought tolerant but needs good drainage. A large container show-off.Slender Veldt grasses have unique bunny tail flower spikes studded with black seeds that rise from this easy to grow beauty. The gray-green evergreen foliage adds interest to yur plantings.

Soft Rush Grass

The Grass 'Soft Rush Grass', Juncus effusus Quarter Creek, Upright Divergent. Known for its narrow, soft round stems and vertical growth, Soft Rush has medium green foliage that turns yellowish brown after the first frost. Flowers are noticeable and are borne at the stem tips in early summer. An effective foliage plant in any water setting or continaer. Grows best in moist, peaty soils in light shade. Soft rush provides food and nesting to birds and other wildlife.

The Blues Little Bluestem Grass

The Grass 'Blues Little Bluestem Grass', Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues', has attractive deep blue foliage.The fall color is a burgundy red. It works well in mass plantings.It does well in a variety of soil types and is drought tolerant. The attractive upright; open to spreading fine textured leaves are subject to lodging. It remains attractive in winter. The fall color varies from tan to copper, orange, and dark orange red.

Toffee Twist Sedge Grass

The Grass 'Toffee Twist Sedge', Carex flagellifera Toffee Twist, is a mounded grass plant.The Irridescent slender mahogany leaves arch upward 1 1/2 to 2 feet before spilling back to the ground. It is distinctive as an accent plant or in masses, it grows well in rock gardens and along slopes. Toffee Twist Sedges are an attractive coral color in fall/winter.This grass adds structure and grace to mass plantings in the garden. Excellent in containers and window boxes. Prefers full sun to light shade. Water when soil is dry to the touch. Prefers moist soil.

Variegated Miscanthus Grass

The Grass 'Variegated Miscanthus Grass', Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light', is also know as 'Morning Light' Maiden Grass is a very popular miscanthus. It boasts white-edged variegated, narrow leaves. It is quite attractive, the green blades have added highlights of creamy-white margins and mid-veins creating a shimmering silvery appearance. It displays delicate reddish-bronze plumes in late summer. Place in full sun for best foliage coloration. Accepts dry conditions.

Variegated Ribbon Grass

The Grass 'Variegated Ribbon Grass', Phalaris arundinacea 'Strawberries and Cream', has an upright and arching habit. It is prized for its white-striped foliage blushed with pink. In June it bears panicles of soft white flowers that reach 18" to 36". This aggressive grower loves moist, fertile soil, and makes an appealing accent plant, pond border, or massed planting. The narrow variegated leaves have a tall brown seed head atop green stems.Great for Jumbo potted plants.

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ACORN HILL

Acorn Hill is the name we’ve given to our home. Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, it is so named for the thousands of acorns produced by the red oaks growing here. We spent years looking for just the right spot. Some of the most important criteria were plenty of room to garden and space for our menagerie of dogs and cats to safely run and play. And we found it here.

We have undertaken several big outdoor projects and have many more planned. I have been taking pictures and making notes, which in essence constitute a journal of these projects. I thought it might be interesting and perhaps helpful to share our progress. So in addition to my Garden Journal where I routinely note what’s happening around the garden, we’ve added Acorn Hill Garden Projects to our site and intend to update it as we complete specific projects. The Acorn Hill Garden Projects detail specific projects from start to finish with notes on what we learned in the process.

When we first came to Acorn Hill, one of the first things I realized was that I had more great ideas than I had time, energy, or money. I had so many things that I hoped to accomplish the first year, but luckily we didn’t get very much done. I say luckily because when starting a garden in a new place it is critical to observe, for at least one full cycle of the seasons, how the seasons change the existing landscape, how the views from your house differ in summer and winter, and how you and your family use your outdoor space. So lesson number one was be patient. Something I’ve been known to have trouble with.

The projects listed below are things we’ve done so far, and things we intend to complete in the near future. As I write the story of each, I’ll include my thoughts on what we’ve done right and what we’ve learned from the things that haven’t gone as planned. I hope you find these stories useful and, if nothing else, amusing. We try to have fun at whatever we do, otherwise, why do it!

So look for these stories coming soon to Acorn Hill Garden Projects:

A year of observation, four seasons at Acorn Hill
A path through the wilderness, making the upper and lower trails
The long and short of it, creating a view from the porch
Keeping the hounds at bay, do-it-yourself garden fencing
High on a hill, creating the hilltop garden

We hope that you've enjoyed our collection of Perennials - Ornamental Grass. If you're looking for something other than Perennials - Ornamental Grass, we hope that you'll find it here. We also hope that you'll come back often.