Perennial Grasses

Korean Feather Reed Grass  

Feathery, pink-tinged plumes ap-pear atop tall stems, rising above the foliage of this showy ornamental grass, maturing in fall to light tan and cream. Seeds provide food for birds. Effective accent or mass planting. Performs well in a variety of garden settings, even moist borders of a stream or pond. Keep soil damp.
Height 3-4'

Width 18-24"

Zone 4-9

Sun to Part Shade

Feather Reed Grass

 Showy ornamental grass with narrow white-striped foliage that shimmers in sunlight.  Soft feathery greenish-mauve plumes appear in early to midsummer, maturing into stiff wheat-colored spikes, which last into winter  Use to create a vertical accent in landscape or containers, or plant en masse toward the back of the garden.  Cut Eldorado feather grass to a height of 3 to 5 inches before new growth appears in early spring. Keep grass well watered first year until established.
Height 4'

Width 23-29"

Zone 4-9

Full Sun & Well Drained Soil

Feather Reed Grass

One of the most popular ornamental grasses, it is valued for its erect feathery pinkish-purple flowery plumes.  As the seed heads mature, they become very narrow with a golden tan color that lasts through fall. Fast -growing, reliable, with multi-season interest.  It is virtually carefree and versatile. Cut clumps to the ground in late winter, just before new growth appears.  Grass does not self-seed. Tolerant of drought, deer, rabbit & wet soil.
Height 3-4'

Width 1-2'

Zone 4-10

Full Sun 

Leatherleaf Sedge

Has narrow arching creamy-yellow leaves adorned with fine dark green edges. Highly decorative grass which provides a lovely contrast with other plants. Forms a densely tufted spilling tussock of slender, iridescent foliage. Deer tolerant and requires very little care. Cut out dead leaves in summer and cut back to ground in late winter (where not evergreen). Best color is obtained in part shade.  Do not let soil dry out.
Height 10" to 1'

Width 1-2'

Zone 5-9

Full Sun - Partial Shade

Festuca

 Icy blue-grey foliage stands above others, staying bright throughout the season without browning. Blue-green flowers on slender stems age to blond for added eye-catching interest. This colorful, versatile ornamental grass is stunning when planted en- masse and in garden or patio containers.  Cut back foliage in early spring to 3-4" to tidy clumps and to facilitate emergence of the new leaf blades. Clumps may decline in hot, humid summers, and should be cut back if such occurs  Drought tolerant. Prune in April.
Height 12-18"

Width 8-12"

Zone 4-8

Full Sun to Part Shade

Festuca

 Dwarf ornamental grass, grown for it evergreen, bright silver-blue foliage. Densely tufted, the foliage of finely-textured, blade-like needles forms a neat mound topped by upright flower plumes in summer. At first the flowers are colored like the foliage before maturing to a light tan.  Adds a color accent to the landscape all year round. Drought tolerant and low watering. Plant looks best with flowers sheared off.  Shearing the plant in late winter often extends its life and promotes a neater appearance.  Otherwise tends to die out in the center after 2-4 year.
Height 8" - 1'

Width 8" - 1'

Zone 4-11

Full Sun

Miscanthus  

Green leaves gracefully arch on sturdy stalks, turning brilliant orange-red in the fall. Autumn Red has a softer textured leaf than most miscanthus.  Blooms in Sumer with feathery panicles.  The flower color is coral-pink changing to silver.   These grasses are much slower starting in the spring. They do not push new growth until temperatures warm in early to midsummer. They flower later in the summer or fall with most blooms remaining into the winter.  Tolerant of heat, humidity and drought
Height 4-5'

Width 3-6'

Zone 4-8

Sun to Part Shade

Miscanthus

  Giant Miscanthus is substantial both in size and in good looks. It grows in an arching shape with deep green, wide leaves. In September, fluffy, fan-like plumes emerge above the foliage bringing the height to 12 feet. Foliage turns a deep burnt orange and fades to tan as winter approaches offering a giant expanse of winter interest in the landscape. Because of its size, it is a wonderful plant to use as a screen or accent. It is best to allow plenty of room to let this plant grow as it may be difficult to dig up once it reaches maturity. This Miscanthus produces sterile seed.  Cut back stems close to ground level from late February through to the end of March.
Height 10-12'

Width 2-6'

Zone 4-9

Full Sun

Chinese Silver Grass

 This grass features a dense clump of upward-arching stems and leaves which give it a  fountain-like appearance. The leaves have tapered tips, serrate margins and whitish to silvery midribs. This variety is shorter, more upright, and keeps its color all season. It flowers every year in late summer. Pink to red flowers in feathery, whisk-like, loose terminal panicles about 1' above the foliage, changing to shades of yellow to orange by mid-fall before gradually fading to beige-tan for winter.  Flower panicles gradually turn beige by mid-fall as the seeds mature. It retains good shape, color and ornamental interest through winter 

Height 3-4'

Width 2-3'

Zone 5-9

Chinese Silver Grass

Distinctive ornamental grass with variegated foliage displaying horizontal, soft yellow rings along the arching leaves atop a dense clump. The foliage turns rich gold in the fall before turning to tan over the winter. It has pinkish-copper plumes thaty emerge in late summer or early fall and turn buff-silver as they mature. It rovides winter interest. Drought tolerant as well as deer & rabbit resistant. Cut the foliage to the ground in late winter before new shoots appear. 

Height 5-7'

Width 2-3'

Zone 5-9

Full Sun

Switch Grass

 Carefree and colorful native grass for multi-season beauty. Wide, powder-blue leaves backdrop large, airy reddish purple plumes that emerge in early autumn and are stunning in cut arrangements. The seed heads persist to provide winter interest and food for birds. A showy accent, or plant en masse for dramatic effect.  Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils. Tolerates a range of soils, including dry ones, but prefers moist, sandy or clay soils. May flop in overly rich soils.  Grows primarily in clumps, but will slowly spread by slightly creeping rhizomes. Cut back clumps to the ground in late winter to early spring. 

Height 4-6'

Width 2-3'

Zone 5-9

Full sun 

Switch Grass

   Bold-colored ornamental grass adds color, texture & movement to the garden & landscapes. Hot Rod Switchgrass has firmly upright blue-green foliage that reddens rapidly until the entire plant is a deep maroon. Airy purple flower panicles produce showy seed heads that provide winter interest. This ornamental grass develops the best color when planted in full sun. While it prefers well-drained soil, it tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, except wet soils. The grass adds texture to winter garden, and can be cut back in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Airy purple flower panicles produce showy seed heads that provide winter interest. A haven for wintering songbirds. 

Height 3-4'

Width 2-3'

Zone 4-9

Full sun 

Switch Grass

 Carefree and colorful native grass for multi-season beauty. Wide, powder-blue leaves backdrop large, airy reddish purple plumes that emerge in early autumn and are stunning in cut arrangements. The seed heads persist to provide winter interest and food for birds. A showy accent, or plant en masse for dramatic effect.  Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils. Tolerates a range of soils, including dry ones, but prefers moist, sandy or clay soils. May flop in overly rich soils.  Grows primarily in clumps, but will slowly spread by slightly creeping rhizomes. Cut back clumps to the ground in late winter to early spring. 

Height 4-6'

Width 2-3'

Zone 5-9

Full sun 

Fountain Grass

Compact grass forming a dense clump of linier leaves. Bright green in summer and turn golden-yellow in the fall before failing to beige. In mid to late summer, silvery white flowery spikes resembling foxtails are produced above the leaves. It provides a dramatic look when backlit. Although it prefers fairly dry soil and is drought tolerant after established, it will grow in moist, well drained  soil. Cut back old foliage in late winter.

Height1.5-2'

Width 18-30"

Zone 5-9

Full sun 

Fountain Grass

Intense smoky rose-purple fuzzy flowers rise above the foliage, arching upward and outward and cascading down  the deep green foliage that rustles in the wind. Blooming starts in summer and extends to fall. Foliage turns a golden-tan color in the fall and remains attractive well into winter. Tolerates part shade but that will decrease bloom.  Deer and drought resistant. Sandy loams with good drainage is preferred soil.

Height 2-3'

Spread 2-3'

Zone 5-9

Full Sun

Fountain Grass

 Features narrow, medium to deep green leaves in summer, changing to golden yellow in fall and fading to beige in late fall. Foliage usually remains attractive throughout the winter. Showy, silvery to pinkish-white, bristly, bottle brush-like flower spikes arch outward from the clump in late summer like water spraying from a fountain. Flower spikes turn brownish as the seeds form, and spikes usually persist until late fall or early winter before shattering. 

Height 8" to 1.5'

Spread 2-3'

Zone 5-9

Full Sun to Part Shade

Fountain Grass

  Features narrow, medium to deep green leaves in summer, changing to gold in fall and fading to buff in winter. Foliage usually remains attractive throughout the winter. In mid to late summer showy, smoky dark red, bottle brush-like flower spikes arch outward from the clump. Cut back in late winter. Tolerates part shade but it will decrease blooms.  

Height4-5'

Spread 2-3'

Zone 5-9

Full Sun to Part Shade

Hardy Pampas Grass

   Plumes or inflorescences (to 24" long) appear in late summer on stiff, leafed stalks well above the foliage. Plumes bloom purplish-bronze turning to silver-gray in fall and persist well into winter. Narrow, 1 inch wide, gray-green leaf blades (to 30" long) with a single white stripe down the middle of each. Rustling sound of the foliage when caressed by breezes can be quite calming. Foliage turns an attractive bronze in fall.  Best grown in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Will not thrive in moist and/or fertile soils where it usually needs support 

Height 8-10'

Spread 4-6'

Zone 5-9

Full Sun