GRASSES
Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora Karl Foerster)
- Height: 3-5ft
- Spread: 2ft
- Full sun
- Zone 4-9
- The tan seed heads are carried on showy plumes and last from late summer to late winter. Its grassy leaves are green in color. The foliage often turns tan in fall. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH.
Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens)
- Height: 2-3ft
- Spread: 2ft
- Full sun
- Zone 4-9
- Blue Oat Grass is an attractive grass with a mounded form. Its grassy leaves remain steel blue in color throughout the year and the tan seed heads are carried on plumes from mid summer to late fall. This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to dry locations, and dislikes excessive moisture.
Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis Gracillimus)
- Height: 4-7ft
- Spread: 3-6ft
- Full Sun/Partial shade
- Zone 5-9
- This grass features a dense clump of upward-arching stems and leaves which give it a rounded, fountain-like appearance. The violet seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from mid fall to late winter. Its grassy leaves are green in color. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous tan in the fall. This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH.
Hameln Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides Hameln)
- Height: 1.5-2.5ft
- Spread:1.5-2.5ft
- Full Sun
- Zone 5-9
- A fine textured dwarf fountain grass suitable for smaller areas. Hameln Dwarf Fountain Grass has masses of beautiful plumes of white flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer. Its grassy leaves are green in color. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous coppery-bronze in the fall. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH.