Anemanthele lessoniana Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Poaceae
Pheasant Tail Grass is a stunning clump forming grass from New Zealand. Leaves turn black/green in spring and summer then take on tints of bright orange and red which holds through the fall and winter. Pendulous infloresences in summer. To 2' tall and forming a clump as wide. Full sun to light shade in regular soil. Slightly drier conditions intensifies the effect. Occasional water. Cut back hard after a cold winter.
Arundo donax ‘Variegata’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Poaceae
A dramatic cane-like grass with horizontal leaves lining the stems. This form has leaves that are dramatically edged in white. Fast growing to 12’ tall in a single season. Best in full sun in moist rich soil. Eventually spreads to form a clump to 6’ wide. A very large perennial that is completely deciduous below 20ºF. Cut back in early spring. Provide plenty of room. A tall bamboo-like grass that holds up well to strong winds. May also be grown in shallow water.
Carex bergrenii Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Cyperaceae
Caramel Sedge from New Zealand forms evergreen patches in moist rich soil. To only 4" tall. Deep bronze twisted leaves take on stains of bright orange during the winter. Excellent winter container plant. Small brown seedheads in late spring. Full sun, rich soil and regular irrigation. Good in rock gardens or in between pavers. Striking with Black Mondo grass for winter interest. Also works as a "bonsai" lawn in containers.
Carex comans ‘Green’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Cyperaceae
Delightful celery green form of the easy to grow "Hair Sedge". To 1' tall and spreading to form a light textured evergreen rosette to 2' wide. Full sun to part shade in good soil with regular water during the summer. Great in containers near ponds or massed as a groundcover. Cut back in early spring to refresh. Nice with other Carex species and ornamental grasses. Reseeds in happy conditions, move or remove seedlings.
Xera Plants introduction
Carex comans ‘Olive Oil’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Cyperaceae
Our own introduction of a brand new color form of New Zealand Hair Sedge. 'Olive Oil' shimmers with delectable tones of tawny-taupe. To 1' high, spreading to 3' wide with age. Full sun with regular water in summer. Spectacular with gold leaved perennials such as Campanula 'Dickson's Gold'. Excellent in containers. Cut back hard in early spring.
Carex comans ‘Red’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Cyperaceae
New Zealand Hair Sedge is a very easy to grow and long lived evergreen perennial. Forms large clumps to 18" tall and 2' wide. Full sun and average tomoist garden soil with regular water. Excellent container plant where it will spill generously over the side. Looks better with summer irrigation. Seeds itself around, seedlings are easy to identify and yank. Cut back hard in very early spring to tidy, refresh.
Carex conica ‘Hime Kan-Suge’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Cyperaceae
AKA Carex conica 'Snowline'- Lovely fine textured sedge with leaves carefully outlined in white. To 14" tall and forming an evergreen clump to 2' wide. Full sun to considerable but not dark shade with regular water in rich soil. Great winter container plant. Small blooms with tan stems in mid-late summer. Cut back hard in early spring, or just comb out tired leaves. Lovely edging paths or on hillsides.
Carex phyllocephala ‘Sparkler’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Cyperaceae
One of the most striking sedges for woodland gardens, 'Sparkler' has white edged leaves that stand up in whorls and in summer fascinating flower spikes that resemble Papyrus. Forms clumps to 2' wide and 2' tall in moist, rich soil. Pair with ferns, hostas and heucheras for an excellent contrast in texture. Semi-evergreen, disappearing below 15∞F, and resprouting. Cut back hard in early spring. Moist soil. Japan.
Carex secta Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Cyperaceae
A very bold and tall growing sedge with leaves that take on impressive bronze tints. To 2' tall and forming a clumping fountain shape. That's right, a clumping fountain shape to 2' wide. Evergreen. Full sun to light shade and rich well drained soil with regular irrigation in summer. Cut back hard in very early spring if it looks like it needs it. Otherwise, handsome all of the time. Good container plant, also very striking near water features. New Zealand.
Carex tenuiculmis Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Cyperaceae
Fantastic evergreen sedge that is one more of the superior bronze tinted varieties for our gardens. Full sun and well drained soil with occasional summer irrigation. Adapts better to slightly drier conditions than most sedges. To 1’ tall and forming a clump as wide. Arching thin leaves take on bronze and coffee tints in full sun. Excellent container subject. May be cut back hard in early spring, but as with all Carex provide plenty of water in the subsequent growing season.
Carex testacea Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Cyperaceae
Amazing tints of orange and olive throughout the year make this evergreen sedge one of the most striking. Forming a large arching clump to 1' tall and 2' wide overtime its appearance is best in rich, well drained soil with occasional summer water. Full sun to light shade. Great container plant. Cut back hard in late winter to refresh the plant. Excellent with the maroon leaves of Geranium 'Red Select'. A great plant.
Chionochloa rubra Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Poaceae
An evergreen tussock grass from New Zealand with leaves that emerge lavender develop taupe and orange tints through much of the year. In summer spikes of oatlike flowers emerge on long stems and dangle and sway in the breeze. Clump to 30" tall by 2' wide. Full sun with average soil and occasional water. Striking and well behaved grass that always looks good. Excellent winter container subject.
Festuca californica Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Poaceae
Before being outcompeted by nasty imports this very beautiful evergreen bunch grass was native in the Willamette Valley south to the mountains of California. Steel blue leaves form a clump to 20" tall and as wide. In late summer and fall, 6' flower spikes rise and briefly turn red before turning to straw in the winter. Well drained soil in full sun. An excellent native grass that has been neglected. Climate adapted, beautiful garden grass en masse.
Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Poaceae
The beautiful all gold form of Japanese Forest Grass. Clump forming to 20" tall and 2' wide after several years. Tough and dependable plant for part shade to high overhead shade in rich soil with regular water. Differs from H.m. 'Aureola' in that it has a more upright habit as well as being 'All Gold'. Long lived perennial of much grace. Regular water in summer. Clump expands slowly. Apricot tints before going deciduous in fall.
Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Poaceae
Form of Japanese Forest grass that has taken on nearly legendary status as a well behaved, graceful, and very tough perennial. Golden bamboo-like leaves veined with dark green form clumps to 1' tall and eventually 2' wide. Best in part shade to high overhead shade. Looks good with everything, makes everything else look better. Rich, well drained soil. Takes on hints of apricot before going deciduous in autumn. Regular water.
Juncus effusus ‘Bay Blue’ Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Juncaceae
A selected form of a native clumping rush that is at home in very heavy soils that are seasonally wet. Forms tight clumps to 20" tall and as wide over time. Good container plant. Also can be sunken into a pond with the surface of the pot 2" below water level. Evergreen, tidy up in early spring. Remember - rushes are round and sedges have edges. Prune out dead stems from the previous season to tidy. Evergreen.
Juncus polyanthemos Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Juncaceae
Luzula sylvatica ‘Aurea’ Zn5b (-15º to -10ºF) Cyperaceae
Golden selection of this EVERGREEN workhorse of a woodland sedge. New growth in late winter and early spring emerges bright chartreuse and then fades to medium green by midsummer. Excellent in winter containers or along a path in a woodland. EXCELLENT winter container plant. Forms large patches in part shade with regular water. Golden flower spikes in spring. 18" x 20 " wide. Does not reseed. Clump increases moderately fast.
Luzula sylvatica ‘Marginata’ Zn5a (-15º to -10ºF) Cyperaceae
A tough, durable, and hansome evergreen sedge that works wonders in a variety of situations. Deep green leaves with a delicate light edge are good looking year round. Forms large patches in full sun (with water) to shade, including dry shade. Great evergreen plant for massing. Divide in late winter every 4 years to reinvigorate. Good in winter containers. Small tassle-like flowers in spring. To 10" tall in bloom- 6" foliage.
Luzula ulophylla Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Cyperaceae
One of our new favorite sedges that forms a tight clump of silvery leaves. The clump is
only 6” tall and as wide with time. In summer wiry stems rise to 10” above the leaves and hold charming black flowers. In my garden it has been easy to grow in both loam and
heavy but amended soil. Appreciates soil that retains both moisture and air. Regular water in summer. EXCELLENT sedge. Lovely and neat looking container subject.
Millium effusum ‘Aureum’ Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Poaceae
Chartruese, twisted golden leaves make this easy to grow grass a delight for brightening up a woodland. Small ribbon like leaves form a clump 2' tall in bloom and spreading to 10" across. Part shade and regular water. Excellent planted among blue leaved Hosta and dark leaved Heucheras. Seeds politely. Seedlings are easily recognized and moved. May go dormant in hot dry conditions. Small millet-like seeds in summer.
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ Zn4b (-25º to -20ºF) Poaceae
One of the most graceful grasses M. 'Morning Light' has become a favorite perennial for its thin leaves edged in white. Fountain shaped grass to 3' tall and forming a tight clump. In summer delicate off-white blooms gently wave and sway in the breeze. Full sun to light shade, rich soil with occasional summer water. Cut back in early spring before new growth pushes from the base. Seldom topples like other Miscanthus.
Muhlenbergia capillaris Zn6b (-5º to 0ºF) Poaceae
A very favorite American native grass with hansome almost evergreen leaves that form a hansome upright clump year round. In September through November it sends up plumes of the finest airy flowers. They rise up to 3’ above the clump and despite their delicate appearance remain intact and beautiful until late spring. Excellent well behaved grass for full sun and well drained soil. Best with some summer irrigation, though established plants are very tolerant of drought. Clumps spreads to 3’ wide in as many years.
Molinia caerulea ‘Variegata’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Poaceae
Among the most elite of ornamental grasses, the variegated form of Purple Moor Grass is a long lived and spectacular plant. Well behaved fountains of leaves that are dramatically striped w/ cream form a clump to about 10" tall and as wide. In early summer pure cream stems rise to 2' holding fine hazy flowers. Part shade in rich moist soil. Regular summer water. Completely deciduous in winter. Amazing planted among blue leaved Hostas.
Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ Zn6b (-5º to 0ºF) Lilaceae
So darned striking and easy to grow. Black Mondo grass is a classic and looks so good with other plants in full sun to shade. Evergreen (everblack) and spreading by underground runners it prefers well drained soil and a year or so to settle in. Occasional summer water speeds growth. Small white flower spikes are followed by black/blue berries. Great container where it accepts neglect and still looks good year round.
Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ Zn4b (-25º to -20ºF) Poaceae
A distinctive selection of Prairie Switch Grass with blue foliage and a very upright (non-flopping) habit. Late summer flower heads become a haze of fine madder/purple. To 5' tall and forming a clump to 2' wide. Rich soil. Tolerates clay. Fall color is long- lasting orange straw. Graceful in wind and adds a light touch to border plantings. Winter deciduous. Regular water in summer.
Schizachyrium scoparium ‘The Blues’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Poaceae
Fantastic garden grass that is deciduous but has the good taste too look good in several season. Clump forming plant that heaves arching blue leaves out of the ground in early spring. The dense foliage offers fine texture and a gracefulness to the front of a border or mixed with small silvery shrubs. In late summer feathery cream blooms appear. In autumn the leaves take on raspberrry to russet tints before dying back. Best in rich well drained soil with good irrgation in the first season. Drought tolerant when established. Spectacular with Ozothamnus ‘Silver Jubilee’ and White flowered lavender.
Stipa gigantea Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Poaceae
A beautiful and refined ornamental grass from the Iberian peninsula. Stipa (pronounced Stye-pa) gigantea forms clumps of fine leaves to 18" tall and 3' wide. In summer large bloom spikes emerge and rise to 6' with golden dangling oatlike flowers. Handsome blue green evergreen clumps in winter. Full sun and well drained soil. Occasional summer water. Adaptable, looks good with many plants and adds a great 3-D effect to a border.
Uncinia uncinata ‘Rubra’ Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Cyperaceae
A great Carex relative from New Zealand with dramatic mahogany colored leaves. Evergreen in all but the coldest winters. It requires well amended soil with regular water and full sun to develop the best color. Forms a clump to 18" tall and as wide. Perhaps at its best in containers. Mulch in the fall. Combines nicely with Anemanthele and Agropyron magellanicus. Very, cool.
Grasses add softness and continuity to a garden. We focus on those that do best in our region with a special emphasis on evergreen varieties and those that perform well in shade. Remember, grasses make elegant container subjects.
