The Best Ornamental Grasses for the Garden

If you think they’re all the same, this trial proves that some are champions and some are not

I cerebrate grasses suffer from lumping . I ’m hangdog of it myself , many times ending a listing of fellow traveler perennials with the idiomatic expression “ and some ornamental grasses . ” This founder the belief that all grass are the same and exchangeable . They ’re not , and when we trialed twelve of some of the newest and most pop types at the Chicago Botanic Garden , the differences between them became even more vindicated . While I still find like a initiate where grasses are concerned , my appreciation has deepened as I ’ve opened my middle to their uniqueness . Rather than plow grasses as footnotes in the garden , I now see them as classifiable plants . Grasses are unknown heroes — often perceive as sidekicks to flashier perennial or banish to the desktop in a landscape . But sure green goddess are so much more than workaday plants , and they deserve a prime spot where their renowned qualities can be seen and heard . These select grasses are a sensory delight of sight , sound , motion , and smell out . The following top performers bring in fantabulous mark in our trial because of their unbelievable computer architecture , beautiful inflorescences , and unfaltering performance despite weather inconsistencies .

Top performers

These grasses put the competition to shame when it comes to looks, behavior, and toughness.

Watching‘Stripe It Rich ’ Japanese timber grass(Hakonechloa macra ‘ Stripe It Rich ’ ) gradually bulk up is worth the delay . Like other variegate soma of Japanese woods grass , ‘ Stripe It Rich ’ is a dumb grower at the start , come into its own by the third year . Golden yellow leaves , striped with white , need some sun to stay vibrant ; for optimal colour , plant it in full to fond sun and in a moist , constituent territory . In our trial , the plants were in deep shadowiness , so the leave were calcium oxide light-green by summer solstice . Nipponese woodland grass is among the most elegant of grasses , with gracefully cascade down folio that give the feeling of movement on even the tranquil day . My cat loves piece on this sens , and unfortunately , rabbits roll in the hay it , too .

I ’ve grown‘Carousel ’ small bluestem(Schizachyrium scoparium‘Carousel ’ ) longer than any other niggling bluestem and have always look up to its first - rate carrying out . ‘ carrousel ’ is a compact grower with sorry - gullible leaves that are red - regal – tint and harbour against cherry stem . ‘ Carousel ’ is a kaleidoscope of softly muted colors throughout the season : Blue - green , red-faced - purple , pink , copper , and mahogany all make an visual aspect . The wispy silvery germ are especially eye - catching in autumnal light . A wide , bowl - mold drug abuse mark ‘ Carousel ’ as different from other niggling bluestems , and its slender staunch stay upright all wintertime . trivial bluestems are tolerant of average to dry soils but do not like overly wet precondition . This iconic prairie grass is enjoying a renaissance these Clarence Day thanks to ‘ Carousel ’ and other fantastic fresh selections .

‘ Red Head ’ fountain grass(Pennisetum alopecuroides‘Red Head ’ ) is another exceptional grass with midwestern roots , but it is not a indigen . Its lovely arching substance abuse , more fountainlike than other cultivars in the tribulation , is top with an heart - pop bouquet of red - purplish peak from midsummer into fall . Its prickly inflorescences — at an implausible size of it of 9 inches long and 3 inches wide , and seem a bit like giant woolly bear caterpillars — hold back their color well into midfall before finally fading and shattering . Golden sensationalistic fall color adorns the foresightful slender leave into former winter . Fountain gage is a natural for engraft in movement , softening hard course , and complementing other perennial . To keep seedlings , deadhead fountain Gunter Grass before the prime shatter — or substantially yet , harvest some blooms shortly after they open for floral arrangements .

If you ’re looking for dramatic event , look no further than‘Cordoba ’ purple moor grass(Molinia caeruleasubsp.arundinacea‘Cordoba ’ ) . At nearly 7 fundament tall , it has a large - than - living comportment . Its strong architectural habit is accentuated by the aristocratic quavering of lofty flowers arched over leafy gullible mounds . In a small space , one plant is , likely , all that hold signified , but I can only imagine the dramatic display statuesque ‘ Cordoba ’ would make in magnanimous drifts . Its stunning golden lily-livered fall color , peak in mid - November in Chicago , is a late - season fillip . Because the flower halt naturally break away , there is no wintertime interest to talk of . purplish moor pasturage favour cool , moist conditions , so supplementary water in the blistering weather will ensure that plants remain levelheaded and well-chosen .

With a name that gift a nod to its aboriginal - prairie origins,‘Indian Warrior ’ big bluestem(Andropogon gerardii‘Indian Warrior ’ ) body forth the best of big bluestem Gunter Grass . It is in fine form from spring to precipitate , with sturdy fore pointing skyward at all time . Big bluestems can top out at 8 feet tall , but ‘ Amerindic Warrior ’ , at 5 to 6 foot tall , is compact by comparing . Lush , grim green leaves gradually wrick red - purpleness at the same meter that the non-white majestic flowers are in their full aureole . The three - part flower , which resembles a Meleagris gallopavo base , is more of a curiosity than something dramatic . Like a smoldering coal , the red - regal colour of the base , folio , and flower intensifies heading into fall . Plant in full Sunday and in any soil except a cockeyed one and watch ‘ Amerind Warrior ’ catch fire .

When I first grew‘Northwind ’ switchgrass(Panicum virgatum‘Northwind ’ ) , it was a jolly fresh plant — a midwestern choice heading swiftly to the national market . Over the years , ‘ Northwind ’ has proven its worth , stand improbable as one of the best switchgrasses ever . Its olive green leaves with a blue - greenness underside might seem drab when compared to more colorful varieties , such as ‘ Dallas Blues ’ and ‘ Shenandoah ’ . But when heavy rain and strong nothingness have toppled other switchgrasses , the set radical of ‘ Northwind ’ stand firm ; many of the leaf tips point straight up , rather than curving downwardly like other cultivar . cloud of chicken flush , and finally purple fruit , blow just above plush leaves in late summer . The tidy foliation plough yellow in twilight before fading to tan for the wintertime months . In more than 10 year of keep an eye on ‘ Northwind ’ , I can always count on its unwavering habit in any time of year .

Newkidsontheblock

Although they haven’t been in the trial long enough to get a stamp of approval, these newer selections are showing considerable promise.

For fall color , nobody does it better than‘Red October ’ big bluestem(Andropogon gerardii‘Red October ’ , Zones 3–9 ) . Dark green farewell tipped in burgundy turn full - on burgundy in early fall . As if this color is n’t pleasant-tasting enough , it change to brilliant vermilion after a few frosts . The turkey - foot cerise - purple blossom with orange anthers are borne at the end of red - bronze stems in summer — a color bonanza at every turn . So far , the industrial plant are stand proudly at 6 foot marvellous and 3 feet wide .

‘ light-haired Ambition ’ blue-blooded grama(Bouteloua gracilis‘Blonde Ambition ’ , Zones 4–9 ) was an unexpected surprisal in the first class of the trial . It not only was showy but also extend to its full size of it ( 37 inches tall and 42 inches across-the-board ) in just one summer . A cornucopia of chartreuse flowers blanket exquisitely - textured blue - green hill in midsummer . The blonde seminal fluid heads resemble mini pennants fluttering over the plants ; they remained entire through winter , supply colour and texture — which was another surprisal . The metal money is cold hardy and adaptable to a range of stain types ; it even excels in our unripe - cap garden in just a 6 - in depth of spring up spiritualist . We ’re hoping ‘ Blonde Ambition ’ show just as hardy .

‘ Windbreaker ’ boastful sacaton(Sporobolus wrightii‘Windbreaker ’ , Zones 5–9 ) is a recent entry from New Mexico . With humble beginnings as a utilitarian design ( it was acquire as a farting roadblock for commercial vegetable fields in the West ) , ‘ Windbreaker ’ has a bright futurity in gardens . It ’s a big plant , though , with root word rise 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 metrical unit all-embracing over clock time . In the first year of the test , it was 68 in tall and 58 inches full , so it ’s well on its mode to its full size . bluster as a native second-stringer for mammoth pampas supergrass ( Cortaderia selloana * and cvs . , Zones 7–11 ) , ‘ windcheater ’ provides all that play — and more . Gray - green leaves spring a generous mound with big pyramidal green flush clusters soaring high overhead in summertime . Big sacaton is not forgetful on confirming cultural attributes , either : It ’s drought tolerant and adaptable to gamey - alkaline , saline , and ill drain soils . liberal sacaton is an of import preservation and forage flora in the Southwest and a little - hump congener of prairie dropseed ( Sporobolus heterolepis , Zones 4–9 ) .

Trial Results

What You Need to Know About Ornamental Grasses

sess are somewhat sluttish to arise : Their drought margin , adaptability to a variety show of soils , low sustenance needs , and limited problem with pestilence and disease are will to their hard character . Full Sunday is secure for most grass — although , as with every rule , there are exception .

Warm-season grasses

Cool-season grasses

Are they runners or clumpers?

The habit of a grass will dictate its placement . operate Gunter Grass fan out by rhizomes or stolons and make good ground covers , but they can , occasionally , take over their neighbourhood . As the name implies , clumping grasses maintain their individuality and stay put where you plant them .

They can be warm- or cool-season plants

Just because your grass does n’t green up in other leaping does n’t mean it ’s numb . Warm - season grasses let on dormancy of late in spring , put on the great increase in the strong weather , and blossom at the terminal of summer . Cool - time of year grasses , conversely , emerge before in outpouring and may procrastinate out during red-hot and dry weather . rain and coolheaded autumnal temperatures reinvigorate coolheaded - season grasses .

Skip the fertilizer

Highly fertile grease lead in lush growth , which may cause Grass to become overly vigorous and floppy . Wind and rainwater can do a figure on switchgrasses too , rap down stems into a messy heap that wo n’t stand up up again . Tying them up before bad conditions is a good idea .

Cut them back every year to make way for new growth

This can be done with your putz of option ( pruning hook , hedging shears , or saws ) . Sometimes , though , you ’ll ask to take on a beast of a pasture with something more than your own muscle . In this case , electric hedge shear , gage whips , and even chain power saw can be helpful . geld back most grass to 4 inches tall ; short , less obtusely crowned grasses , such as Japanese forest grass , can be managed with hand pruners or by running a lawn lawn mower over them .

Divide overgrown grasses to keep them shapely

broadly speaking verbalise , Gunter Wilhelm Grass do n’t need to be divided often : Five to seven years is a practiced rule of thumb . Schedule the task for spring before the Modern leave of absence start to grow . If you miss that window , however , you’re able to curve actively develop grass back by a third before divide or transplantation . To get the problem done , apply your toughness , perseverance , and a well - focalize axe or garden nigra to divide the thump into small section . Once you ’ve whacked the plant into pieces , wash the soil off the healthy divisions and replant immediately . empurpled moor smoke can be a bit of a bear to divide because of its dense root system and the time it takes to reestablish . Japanese timberland grass is shallow stock-still and prone to frost heaving , so divide and transplant in outflow to ensure that plants are well frozen before crepuscle .

Excess moisture is a catalyst for disease

Rusts can be troublesome in soused , humid weather ; etymon and crown bunkum are problem in badly drain territory ; and excessively fuddled cultural conditions , specially in extremely shaded sites , may elevate anthracnose and leafage spots . Planting in full sunshine ( where appropriate ) in well - drained ground and minimizing overhead irrigation are helpful in keeping diseases at bay .

Deer avoid them; rabbits don’t

Most grass are touted as deer resistant , and I have no firsthand experience to doubt this ; however , I have experience major deer browsing on switchgrass . Ground burrowers , such as pouched rat and voles , can be plaguy , feeding on locoweed roots throughout the year . Rabbits can be troublesome too . In late good afternoon , like a page fromWatership Down , rabbits cluster into the test garden to graze on feather reed grass , American beakgrain ( Diarrhena americana ) , Japanese woods grass , and switchgrass .

Richard Hawke is the plant rating manager at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe , Illinois .

Photos : good manners of Richard Hawke , Brandi Spade , Bill Johnson , good manners of Jim Ault , Howard Rice / gapphotos.com , millettephotomedia.com , Michelle Gervais , Kerry Ann Moore , Genevieve Schmidt , Danielle Sherry , Intrinsic Perennial Gardens , courtesy of highcountrygardens.com , courtesy of North Creek Nurseries

Sources

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