Regional Picks: Grass Companions—Mountain West

1.Pale coneflower

Name:Echinacea pallida

USDA Hardiness Zones:3 to 10

Size:2 to 3 feet improbable and 12 to 18 inch wide

precondition : Full sun to partial spook ; fair , well - enfeeble soil

This native coneflower stands tall in prairies across the Midwest and southerly states , so it ’s no wonder it looks peachy when paired with the ornamental grasses that are its likely companions in the wild . The sick pink - purpleness of its drooping , minute petals surround an orangish cone , which bring home the bacon colorful demarcation to many divers associate . The flowers appeal butterfly and can also be used in cut - heyday arrangements . This drouth - tolerant perennial will ego - sow freely if the seed heads are not removed .

2.Wand flower

Name:Gaura lindheimeriand cvs.

Zones:5 to 9

Size:3 to 5 feet magniloquent and 1 to 2 feet encompassing

Conditions : Full sun ; well - drained territory

This clumping perennial has white blossom that fade to knock atop grandiloquent , wand - similar stem , giving the plant an airy feel . It look as though there ’s a cluster of butterflies twirl around the works ( ‘ Whirling Butterflies ’ , unsurprisingly , is a popular cultivar name ) . The wispy heyday stems dance among ornamental grasses to beautiful effect . When the blooms fade to pink , they look particularly beautiful alongside sorry grasses such as blue oat grass ( Helictotrichon sempervirens , Zones 4 to 9 ) . There are several cultivars ranging from white to deep pink—all of which are garden worthy .

3.Globe blue spruce

Name:Picea pungens‘Globosa’

Zones:2 to 8

Size:3 to 5 feet improbable and 5 to 6 feet blanket

With its silvery - blasphemous acerate leaf and mound flesh , this easy - growing conifer makes a great specimen or accent plant . When framed by grasses , the contrast of bod and grain provides class - unit of ammunition interest . Globe drear spruce works well both as a foundation shrub and in a miscellaneous delimitation . lop the good shoot judiciously to keep its rounded shape .

4.‘Mops’ mugo pine

Name:Pinus mugo‘Mops’

Zones:2 to 7

Size:3 to 4 feet marvellous and 2 to 3 feet wide

This dwarf pine tree features small , emerald green needles and only grows 2 to 4 inches per yr , making it a perfect instauration plant for pocket-size distance . Its mounded physique requires small care but can be pruned if demand , although it ’s best to trim only the new growth . ‘ Mops ’ can be accented by small grasses , such as prairie drop-seed ( genus Sporobolus heterolepis , Zones 3 to 9 ) and ‘ Hameln ’ fount grass ( Pennisetumalopecuroides‘Hameln ’ , district 5 to 9 ) , or it can ground larger alternative , including feather vibrating reed grasses ( Calamagrostisspp . and cvs . , Zones 4 to 9 ) .

Michelle Provaznik is the director of The Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins , Colorado .

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Regional Picks: Grass Companions - Northwest

Regional Picks: Grass Companions - Southwest

Regional Picks: Grass Companions - Southeast

Regional Picks: Grass Companions - Midwest

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Pale Coneflower