Digging Dog Nursery Grasses

Grasses at Digging Dog:
Elymus to Uncinia

Includes Hakonechloa, Luzula, Miscanthus, Muhlenbergia, Panicum, Schizachyrium, & Stipa

Elymus

Wheat Grass

Elymus magellanicus full sun Elymus magellanicus

The color of sky and sea, Elymus’s light blue glaucous blades gain intensity as the plant matures and assumes its delightful skirtlike habit. Older leaves fall outward to cover the base, revealing the new, upright central growth.

A designer’s dream, Wheat Grass holds its form without the distraction of conspicuous flowers, and is unparalleled in a container or as a specimen for the mixed border against a drift of green Carex tumulicola. Happiest in coastal areas, this extraordinary blue grass appreciates well drained soil, and light shade in hot climates.

Size: 15" high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 6.

AVAILABLE APRIL 2008


Elymus magellanicus (G-0475)
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Equisetum

Horsetail

Equisetum hyemale var. Robustum full sun  partial shade Equisetum hyemale var. Robustum
Giant Scouring Rush

Boasting a strong architectural appeal, this California native has sturdy bamboolike stems and is much taller than the species. The deep green stems are divided by brown joints and, because they contain silica, were once used to polish tin and wood. Makes an excellent container plant, in or out of water.

Size: 5'–7' high x 2'–3' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Equisetum hyemale var. Robustum (G-0071)
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Eriophorum

Eriophorum latifolium full sun Eriophorum latifolium
Broad Leafed Cotton Grass

Greek for “wool bearing,” the genus name alludes to the light-as-a-feather, white cloudlike blooms of this wet marshlands dweller from the British Isles and Eurasia. The dense cotton balls dreamily float some 12 to 18 in. above a handsome clump of light green, finely textured foliage.

Described by numerous thin bristles that extend beyond the flower spikelets, the unique inflorescences make bright, fluffy additions to dried arrangements, and later evolve into wispy nodding tufts. Thriving in moist soils yet sulking in hot, dry conditions, Cotton Grass is most effective en masse in a naturalized setting or by water’s edge intermingled with Euphorbia ‘Great Dixter’s warm accents.

Blooms April–June.

Size: 2-1/4' high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 4.


Eriophorum latifolium (G-0476)
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Festuca

Fescue

Originating from the Latin word for stalk or stem, the genus Festuca is comprised of approximately 300 cool season perennial species. The following native Californian selections highlight handsome, fine textured tufts, which appreciate a well drained site, annual early spring trimmings and a division every couple of years, while sulking in hot humid weather.

Festuca californica ‘Phil’s Silver’ full sun  partial shade

A standout for its stiff silvery blades, this robust, cool season grass originated from seed that Cal Flora Nursery owner, Phil Van Soelen, collected near California’s Sonoma coast.

Anchored by burgundy sheaves, glaucous gray-green leaves become more lustrous as the weather warms, but remain evergreen in milder climates. Unfurling in airy, yet showy abundance, the graceful greenish panicles mature to a cozy golden hue some 2 or 3 ft. above a fairly compact, dense basal tuft of handsome long-lived foliage.

Resplendent en masse with shrubs such as Ceanothus, Cistus or Ribes, ‘Phil’s Silver’ prefers good drainage, minimal to moderate summer water, and obliges an array of situations, such as coastal hillsides, wind and drought in cooler areas.

Blooms April–June.

Size: 3' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 7.


Festuca californica Phil’s Silver (G-0462)
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Festuca idahoensis ‘Stony Creek’ full sun  partial shade
Blue Bunchgrass

Not only beautifully blue, but hard-working to boot, this water wise perennial grass is a California native from Del Norte County. A thick, tidy hummock of very thin, chalk blue blades sends up slender, wandlike stems holding graceful, airy golden sprays.

Hallmarked by a composed appearance, ‘Stony Creek’ is most impressive and enduring in large drifts on banks or hillsides, where it aids erosion control, resists those pesky deer, doesn’t falter in full sun even inland, and prefers some afternoon shade. Zone 7/8.

Blooms April–June.

Size: 2'–2-1/2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Festuca idahoensis Stony Creek (G-0488)
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Hakonechloa

These graceful members of the Poaceae family are named after Hakone, a region of Japan where they can be found growing wild in shady areas with humus-rich soil.

Hakonechloa macra ‘Albo Striata’ partial shade
Hakone Grass

Very rare and hard to find, this Japanese forest grass is more sun tolerant than the golden form. Its pendulous green foliage is adorned with thick and thin creamy white stripes. Under dappled light in the rock garden, by pathways, in containers, or planted under a dwarf Maple, ‘Albo Striata’ will brighten your days.

Size: 10" high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 6.


Hakonechloa macra Albo Striata (g-0062)
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Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ partial shade  shade lover
Golden Hakonechloa

Illuminated with the clearest, brightest gilded shades imaginable, ‘All Gold’s broad foliar ribbons are surely the envy of King Midas! This slightly more upright Hakonechloa still exhibits the same fluid ease as our other cultivars, and when set amid Astrantia ‘Claret’, its golden, cascading blades convey a dazzling vitality in any shady niche.

Size: 10" high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 6.


Hakonechloa macra All Gold (g-0477)
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Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ partial shade  shade lover
Golden Variegated Hakonechloa

Native to shadowy mountain cliffs in Japan, this cool season dwarf grass is lush and graceful. The cascading, satinlike foliage is broad and variegated with cream, chartreuse and green. Such colors will illuminate any dark corner and such texture will soften any hard edges.

As long as it has moist but well drained soil, this slow-spreading plant works well as a specimen or ground cover. We especially like it in Japanese gardens and under the ambient light of Corylopsis spicata.

Size: 10" high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 6.


Hakonechloa macra Aureola (g-0051)
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Hakonechloa macra ‘Beni-kaze’ partial shade  shade lover  new plant

With the same overflowing grace as its relatives, newly introduced 'Beni-kaze' entertains brilliant red fall colors. The lax green mound of loosely arranged, draped blades remains green until cooler weather ignites the smooth foliar ribbons and begs its name, which translates “red wind.” Lolling in the late season shadows, this larger growing Hakonechloa echoes the warm-hued fanfare of autumnal foliage.

Size: 18"–20" high x 2'–2-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Hakonechloa macra Beni-kaze (G-0497)
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Helictotrichon

Helictotrichon sempervirens ‘Sapphire Fountain’ full sun
Blue Oat Grass

A finely textured, semievergreen selection from Germany—the best of the midsized, blue-leafed grasses—‘Sapphire Fountain’ is as distinctive for its form as for its color. Bright steel blue blades leap into arching sprays of delicate, wheat-colored inflorescences hovering 2 ft. above the clump. Prospering in low humidity and well drained soil, this cool season grass gives an artful year-round show en masse or as a specimen.

Blooms May–June.

Size: 3-1/2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Helictotrichon sempervirens Sapphire Fountain (g-0089)
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Imperata

Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’ full sun  partial shade
Japanese Blood Grass

Although its common name is a bit eerie, this non-invasive, slow growing grass is absolutely beautiful. While other perennial grasses lose their color come late summer and fall, ‘Red Baron’ stays vibrantly red throughout the season. Only the base of each upright leaf blade is bright green.

To ensure the most vivid red of all, plant this grass where it will get three or more hours of sunlight each day. To create the semblance of an all-day sunset, plant it en masse along with red-petioled Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ‘Wood’s Compact’. Or, for a cooling combination, plant it with white flowering Anemone ‘Andrea Atkinson’.

Size: 2' high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 6.


Imperata cylindrica Red Baron (G-0028)
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Luzula

Wood Rush

Luzula comes from the Latin word meaning “glow worm.” These graceful rushes earn their name for the way a soft, downy hair, which covers the margins of each blade, catches and holds dew. As the morning light strikes the moistened leaves, they glisten. The handsome leafage vitalizes a garden setting with its textural infill.

Durable as a ground cover and at home in various soil types, Luzula is best when planted in drifts.

Luzula ‘Ruby Stiletto’ full sun

An eye catching new selection from seed collected in the mountains of British Columbia by plantsman Graham Ware, ‘Ruby Stiletto’ lives up to its name during the colder months when sumptuous ruby hues emblazon its blades. A compact hummock of spry and slender grassy green foliage in the warm seasons, this gem weaves an engaging, textural tapestry when planted en masse with drifts of Deschampsia ‘Goldgehänge’ and Molinia ‘Moorflamme’.

Size: 12" high x 8" wide; hardy to zone 5.


Luzula Ruby Stiletto (G-0103)
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Luzula sylvatica ‘Auslese’ partial shade
Greater Wood Rush

This light green ground cover is perhaps one of the best ornamental grasses for a shady setting, especially beneath woody, deciduous shrubs. Arising from soft-looking broad foliar ribbons with twisted and downward curving tips, erect 15 in. stems hold golden inflorescences that mature handsomely to a chocolate brown. Evergreen ‘Auslese’ can tolerate some drought, and assures a blithe presence as it skirts below Sambucus ‘Black Beauty’.

Blooms mid-April–May.

Size: 12" high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 5.


Luzula sylvatica Auslese (G-0464)
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Miscanthus

If Pygmalion were a gardener, Miscanthus would come to life as fountains, some of them spouting tall and upright to 10 ft. Graceful and robust, they’re favored for their lush foliage and silky terminal panicles. Striking as a single specimen, Miscanthus is also excellent when massed in the perennial bed or a mixed border. Attractive year-round, with fall colors of yellow, purple, scarlet and burgundy, they fade to a lovely warm ivory in winter.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Adagio’ full sun Miscanthus sinensis Adagio

The wiry, silver gray-striped, fine textured olive-green foliage of this playful low grower is topped with pink panicles, which turn white. Small-statured ‘Adagio’ is perfect for a tight spot and as a companion to pewter-tinged leaves such as Stachys ‘Helen von Stein’ or Geranium x riversleaianum ‘Mavis Simpson’.

Blooms September–November.

Size: 4' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 7.


Miscanthus sinensis Adagio (g-0468)
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Miscanthus sinensis ‘Allegro’ full sun  new plant

Slender grayish green blades dress up with pewter midribs while forming a fine textured compact clump. Sojourning well above the tailored pedestal, a profusion of silver washed, feathery white panicles glimmer in the late season sun. ‘Allegro’ orchestrates an upbeat medium-sized silhouette, and in fall conducts a colorful finale as tangerine shades transform its blades.

Blooms August–November.

Size: 4'–4-2/3' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Miscanthus sinensis Allegro (G-0498)
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Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’ full sun

Gorgeous deep burgundy flower heads that eventually lighten to a creamy chroma, and sparkling silver midribs invigorate ‘Ferner Osten’s dense, mounded fountain of dark green blades. Introduced by the esteemed German nurseryman Ernst Pagels, this paramount Miscanthus sports a vigorous, yet compact guise that holds its own as a colorful specimen and looks especially sensational when planted in a drift.

Blooms August–November.

Size: 4'–5' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Miscanthus sinensis Ferner Osten (g-0042)
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Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gold and Silver’ full sun

Prepare yourself for a sterling, late season splash as silky plumes glow in golden splendor, and later flaunt sophisticated silvered shades. While narrow blades with prominent midribs sport a pearly sheen and maintain their composure late into the season, this slender beauty stands in sharp relief to a coarse-textured carpet of Trachystemon orientalis at its base.

Blooms September–November.

Size: 5'–6' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Miscanthus sinensis Gold and Silver (g-0484)
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Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kaskade’ full sun

One of the finest summer blooming Miscanthus, this robust Ernest Pagels creation draws its name from the elegant cascading blooms. Rosy colored and large, measuring nearly 10 in. long, the early-to-unfurl inflorescences feature pendant openly arranged branches lolling a good ways beyond the fo-liage. Narrow leaves don white midribs while shaping an upright pillar that come autumn blazes coppery reds and finally bleaches to pewter, in perfect harmony with the mature silver buff racemes.

Blooms July–October.

Size: 6' high x 3'–4' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Miscanthus sinensis Kaskade (G-0490)
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Miscanthus sinensis ‘Little Kitten’ full sun
Dwarf Maiden Grass

Originating as a Miscanthus ‘Yaku Jima’ seedling, ‘Little Kitten’ is a pleasingly bushy mound; its compact form is just right for those who want the drama of ornamental grasses in an intimate setting. Thin, silver-green wiry leaves are decorated in fall by an elegantly spare show of small, silvery plumes. Plant en masse with Eryngium variifolium.

Blooms September–November.

Size: 2'–2-1/2' high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 5.


Miscanthus sinensis Little Kitten (g-0094)
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Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ full sun
Silver Variegated Maiden Grass

Delicate, vertical stripes of creamy white grace the long, narrow green blades of ‘Morning Light’, creating a splash of fine foliage that would satisfy even without the feathery, pinkish panicles that appear just above. A beauty!

Blooms September–December.

Size: 5' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Miscanthus sinensis Morning Light (g-0011)
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Miscanthus sinensis ‘Nippon’ full sun

Deep rosy violet stems and seed heads rise above the slightly broader, lush green blades. If you’ve wanted to try a Miscanthus, but have a smaller scale garden, here’s the plant for you.

Blooms August–November.

Size: 4' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Miscanthus sinensis Nippon (G-0012)
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Miscanthus sinensis ‘Positano’ full sun

A graceful standout, ‘Positano’ warms the fall landscape with sunkissed colors. Large, red, glistening plumes are cast well above the impressive upright fountain of arching, fine textured blades. Etched by pewter midribs, the foliage grows in a sophisticated crisscross pattern and when fall arrives, transmutes cozy reds and oranges.

Revered grass aficionado Ernst Pagels raised this clump-forming cultivar whose first-class profile and rich hues can accentuate Rudbeckia subtomentosa and Helianthus hirsutus.

Blooms August–November.

Size: 6'–7' high x 3'–5' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Miscanthus sinensis Positano (G-0491)
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Miscanthus sinensis ‘Rigoletto’ full sun  partial shade
Miscanthus sinensis Rigoletto

If your garden is short on space, ‘Rigoletto’ is a brightly patterned treasure that you’ll want to squeeze in.

More compact and smaller scaled than ‘Variegatus’, this Kurt Bluemel introduction parades slender blades inscribed with gleaming white vertical stripes. Topped by red-tinged flowering plumes, the loose gracefully arching clump asserts dramatic ivory-toned highlights for the landscape or for a glazed cobalt-blue container.

Blooms August–November.

Size: 3'–4' high x 2-1/2'–3' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Miscanthus sinensis Rigoletto (g-0485)
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Miscanthus sinensis ‘Rotsilber’ full sun  new plant

Aptly named, ‘Rotsilber’ translates “red and silver,” which denotes the showy flowers’ intriguing evolution. Emerging crimped and flushed in lustrous red tones atop green and wine-tinted stems, the plumes later attain a silver splashed, soft fluffy appearance. Ernst Pagels introduced this impressive upright selection whose slim and compact, energetic green blades are enhanced by steel-hued midribs and passionate orange and maroon fall colors, forging a stately stand-alone specimen for the mixed border or a more untamed locale.

Blooms August–November.

Size: 4'–5' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Miscanthus sinensis Rotsilber (G-0041)
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Miscanthus sinensis ‘Sarabande’ full sun

‘Sarabande’ really puts on a show with sprays of blush-hued flowers that emerge straight as arrows, then open looking freshly crimped and fade to silver. Graceful, swaying stems and a fine flourish of foliage complete the three-tiered effect. The variegated leaf blades have an olive cast that harmonizes nicely with silver and gray-foliaged plants. We’ve seen ‘Sarabande’ maintain its composure through the worst of coastal gales.

Blooms August–December.

Size: 5'–6' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Miscanthus sinensis Sarabande (g-0013)
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Miscanthus sinensis ‘Silberturm’ full sun

Coined ‘Silver Tower’, this kingly cultivar is the best tall growing Miscanthus we know. Asserting a BIG and bold grandeur in the landscape, the lush column of long broad foliar ribbons, which arch out and down in a lax manner, gracefully rises heavenbound. Large, loosely arranged silver plumes shimmer when they catch the sun nearly 10 spectacular feet above us.

Whether it’s mixed with tropicals, framing a threshold or premiered as a towering specimen, the magnificent ‘Silberturm’ exhibits a fine form all season and will surely turn quite a few heads.

Blooms August–November.

Size: 8'–9' high x 5'–6' wide; hardy to zone 6.

AVAILABLE JUNE 2008


Miscanthus sinensis Silberturm (G-0492)
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Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’ full sun
Porcupine Grass

Sharing many of the attributes of its more common relation, Zebra Grass, this preeminent specimen is a bit denser, stiffer, and more upright. Beautifully at home at water’s edge, ‘Strictus’ displays coppery blooms and lax foliage with bold blond-colored stripes in an irregular, horizontal pattern. When viewed from afar, the warm bands create a spellbinding effect.

Porcupine Grass maintains a good form, and is a high-spirited companion for Bergenia ‘Bressingham White’ and Sedum ‘Matrona’.

Blooms August–November.

Size: 6'–8' high x 3-1/2'–4-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Miscanthus sinensis Strictus (g-0015)
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Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus full sun  partial shade
Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus

(formerly sold as Miscanthus transmorrisonensis)

Don’t let the clunky name fool you. Of all the Miscanthus, this is the most graceful. Planted en masse, silky silver flowers held on gently arching stems look like water flowing from a fountain of evergreen foliage. As a specimen, it should be planted in a raised area in order to appreciate its weeping form.

Blooms July–November.

Size: 6'–7' high x 6'–7' wide; hardy to zone 7.


Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus (g-0025)
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Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus ‘Cosmopolitan’ full sun  partial shade  new plant

Usher this towering variegated aristocrat into your landscape and a bold statement is yours to enjoy. Wide semievergreen blades feature white streaked margins and green centers with creamy white vertical stripes. Strong stems hurl skyward, supporting the outward arching foliage and, come late summer, they unfurl a sea of silky copper red tassels, eventually maturing to fawn-colored seed heads.

Discovered in Japan during the 1940s, the mighty 'Cosmopolitan' shapes a robust, dense, yet billowy mass that never flops, serves well as a noble specimen, hedge or screen, and rustles delightfully in the wind.

Blooms August–November.

Size: 6'–8' high x 5'–7' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus Cosmopolitan (G-0499)
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Molinia

Moor Grass

Innovative landscape architect Wolfgang Oehme, who has included more than a million ornamental grasses in his designs since 1975, considers Molinias to be some of the very best performers of them all. Certainly the most kinetically exciting grass, Molinia’s sturdy stems hold the delicate, straw-colored panicles all season above dense, arching tufts of deep green foliage. To heighten the drama, give them plenty of room and a dark background.

Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea ‘Bergfreund’ full sun  partial shade

Invite this “friend of the mountain” into your garden bed and it will quickly become your friend as well. Dynamic yet not too imposing, a gauzy array of gently pendulous, rich-colored reddish purple panicles mingle on dark green upright stems. Handsome foliage forms a low green stage that radiates yellow hues in autumn. Studded with ricelike beads transmuting warm chestnut hues when mature, the airy plumes should be headlined right up front where they become a mysterious veil that you can peer through.

Blooms June–October.

Size: 4'–5' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 4.

AVAILABLE LATE MARCH 2008


Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea Bergfreund (G-0489)
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Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea ‘Karl Foerster’ full sun  partial shade

See-through, delicate plumes on upright and arching stems energetically leap skybound from a green, 2-½ ft. tall foliar pedestal. Bearing the name of the legendary German nurseryman Karl Foerster, this Molinia’s gossamerlike inflorescences first emerge suffused in purply raisin shades, and by fall gilded highlights set the lofty blooms aglow, further heightening the butter yellow hues of the stalks and leaves below.

Blooms June–October.

Size: 6'–7' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea Karl Foerster (g-0486)
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Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea ‘Skyracer’ full sun  partial shade  new plant

Donning a sculptural statesmanlike presence and a dancer’s grace, especially when set in motion by summer breezes, this distinctive Kurt Bluemel selection grows narrowly upright. The pendulous grayish green ribbons comprise a low, 2 ft. high mounding clump that launches stiff stems with plum-colored seed heads and feathery, see-through panicles. Still showy in November, both foliage and lofty inflorescences adopt cozy sun-kissed golden yellow and amber fall colors.

Blooms June to mid-November.

Size: 7'–8' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea Skyracer (G-0031)
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Molinia caerulea ssp. caerulea ‘Moorflamme’ full sun  partial shade
Moor Grass

An exquisite German selection of Moor Grass, this Molinia’s hazy, flaxen-hued panicles gracefully sway on 2 ft. slender stems above a pleasing, compact clump of arching and narrow green blades, turning an intense orange-red in autumn. Clearly ‘Moorflamme’ proclaims its colorful intensity!

Blooms June–October.

Size: 4' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Molinia caerulea ssp. caerulea Moorflamme (g-0090)
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Molinia caerulea ssp. caerulea ‘Variegata’ full sun  partial shade
Variegated Moor Grass

Each of the variegated creamy white and olive-green leaves of this Molinia has a different pattern. Together they form dense hummocks of foliage which rest well below the upright almond-colored flower stalks. Although used mostly as a specimen, this form makes an excellent container plant as well.

Blooms June–October.

Size: 407-1/3' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Molinia caerulea ssp. caerulea Variegata (G-0035)
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Molinia litoralis ‘Windspiel’ full sun  partial shade

Reaching far beyond its 15 in. high, verdant blades, ‘Windspiel’s reflective inflorescences alight tall relaxed stems, dancing in a wind game with the sky.

Blooms June–December.

Size: 6'–7' high x 5' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Molinia litoralis Windspiel (G-0019)
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Muhlenbergia

Muhly

Named in honor of G. H. E. Muhlenberg, a botanist who specialized in grasses, this large, varied genus includes some of the most visually stunning and enduring ornamental grasses for today’s landscape.

Primarily native to arid range areas of the southern U.S. and Mexico, many Muhlenbergias boast not only arresting inflorescences and foliage, but an exceptional tolerance to heat, sun and drought, providing the soil is well drained, as well as abiding short amounts of dappled shade each day.

Muhlenbergia capillaris full sun  partial shade
Pink Muhly

Holding their attraction for months, ethereal masses of airy flower panicles are imbued in vivid pinkish red tones, which age to a light buff. This soft-looking mist hovers atop a fine textured, semievergreen clump of glossy dark green foliage. With an unmatched vivacity, particularly when planted in drifts, the Pink Muhly will easily bridge the gap from a garden space into the native habitat.

Blooms September–early December.

Size: 3' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Muhlenbergia capillaris (g-0057)
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Muhlenbergia lindheimeri full sun  partial shade
Lindheimer’s Muhly

Long, open Calamagrostis-like panicles are colored in muted purplish gray tones, aging to an antique silver that festoons the winter landscape. The fine textured, rounded clump of semi-evergreen, blue-gray foliage sends forth slender, perfect-for-cutting inflorescences on upright stems some 2 ft. above.

Whether headlined as a sophisticated specimen or massed, this stunning Muhlenbergia delivers tranquil hues and a tidy enduring visage.

Blooms September–December.

Size: 5' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 7.


Muhlenbergia lindheimeri (G-0104)
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Muhlenbergia rigens full sun  partial shade
Deer Grass

A long-time resident of California and other southwestern states, this semievergreen Muhlenbergia yields upright, thin and arrowlike silvery inflorescences reaching beyond the narrow, 18 in. high gray-green foliage. Creating a shimmery veiling effect in the landscape and adding pizzazz to dried arrangements, the reflective flowering stalks bend gracefully as they age.

Let Deer Grass weave its way around the contrasting horizontal form of Arctostaphylos ‘Vancouver Jade’, or superimpose it against Lobelia tupa.

Blooms September–December.

Size: 5' high x 4' wide; hardy to zone 7.


Muhlenbergia rigens (G-0036)
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Panicum

Switch Grass

The Panicums we’ve chosen are warm season prairie grasses native to North America. Resistant to heat, drought, and even extreme cold, Switch Grass boasts a cloud of inflorescences—a mystifying hologram of tiny red seeds that mature to black in late summer.

If grown en masse and not cut back until early spring, Panicums promise a lively winter show. After a frost, they stiffen and adopt the warm glowing color and soft rustling sound of wheat.

Panicum amarum ‘Dewey Blue’ full sun  new plant
Bitter Switch Grass

Populating Delaware’s coastal sand dunes near the town of Dewey, noted grass expert, Rick Darke selected this kingly Panicum for its blue, oh-so-blue smooth glaucous blades and elegant fountainlike stance. Distinctive straight-up stems bolster light airy plumes, followed by caramel-colored seed heads persisting well into winter. ‘Dewey Blue’ is not only a stunning showman but an enduring workhorse whose slowly spreading rhizomes form clumps that are vital in stabilizing seashore ecosystems, as well as withstanding hot dry summers and varied garden soils.

Blooms August–October.

Size: 4'–5' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 3.


Panicum amarum Dewey Blue (G-0500)
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Panicum virgatum ‘Cloud Nine’ full sun
Tall Switch Grass

It’s not sky high, but ‘Cloud Nine’ does impart visions of grandeur as it rises into a massive, somewhat vase-shaped, blue-green form crowned by a mist of small inflorescences. Autumn brings golden tones to the foliage. This Panicum usually maintains its elegant shape through tough winter months, and is a dynamic partner with Salvia confertiflora for the rest of the season.

Blooms August–October.

Size: 6'–8' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Panicum virgatum Cloud Nine (g-0082)
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Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ full sun
Blue Switch Grass

Stiff, upright blades of green turn metallic blue and then warm pecan brown in the fall. We are fond of this dynamic, vertical accenting grass in drifts with Teucrium fruticans ‘Azureum’.

Blooms September–October.

Size: 4'–5' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Panicum virgatum Heavy Metal (G-0021)
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Panicum virgatum ‘Prairie Sky’ full sun
Blue Switch Grass

The bluest of the Panicums and hardiest of the virgatums, this superb selection was discovered growing wild in a Wisconsin meadow by Roger Gettig. ‘Prairie Sky’s silvery inflorescences have tiny rust-colored accents, while its fast growing foliage echoes the bluish gray leaves of Cardoon in our mixed border.

Blooms July–October.

Size: 3'–5' high x 2-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Panicum virgatum Prairie Sky (G-0080)
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Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ full sun
Red Switch Grass

One of the best of the red Panicums, ‘Shenandoah’ was selected from ‘Hänse Herms’ seedlings by Germany’s Hans Simon. Emerging green in midsummer, slender leaves take on red hues and, come September, are thoroughly transformed. Paired with Echinops ‘Arctic Glow’, the wine-infused theme is echoed and, backlit by the long light of late afternoon, the glow is ethereal.

Blooms August–October.

Size: 4' high x 2'–2-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Panicum virgatum Shenandoah (g-0091)
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Panicum virgatum ‘Warrior’ full sun

The cultivar name of this grass alludes to the blood red hues of the blades and to its strong growing power. Upright and arching, ‘Warrior’s inflorescences rise to 5 or 6 ft., as its rubescent hints intensify through the early season, turning deep reddish brown in late fall and eventually fading to the color of creamed honey. For an army of rosy color, plant with other grasses like Pennisetum orientale.

Blooms September–October.

Size: 5'–6' high x 2'–3' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Panicum virgatum Warrior (g-0034)
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Pennisetum

Fountain Grass

The soft inflorescences take their name from the Latin words penna and seta meaning feather-bristle. This lovely grass is a favorite, distinguished by arching, feathery bottlebrush flowers spilling over a cascading mound of foliage.

A warm season grower, Fountain Grass welcomes hot weather and is widely distributed in both tropical and temperate areas.

Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Cassian’ full sun

Honoring German horticulturist Cassian Schmidt, this graceful midsized Kurt Bluemel selection sparks our interest through three seasons. Its compact fluid form sets the stage for fawn-colored bristlelike cylinders that softly linger just above elegant foliar blades. In a grand finale of arresting warmth, the autumnal leaves celebrate lavish gilded highlights and red hues, which definitely earns ‘Cassian’ a front row seat in our mixed border.

Blooms August–October.

Size: 3' high x 2-1/2'–3' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Pennisetum alopecuroides Cassian (g-0487)
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Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ full sun
Dwarf Fountain Grass

Its compact habit and finely textured foliage make this one of the most popular Pennisetum cultivars. More darkly hued than the species, the foliar mound is very upright and dome-shaped, playing host to the plump, slightly curved and creamy green flower heads that arch at least a foot aloft. Alighting on wiry slender stems held by fanlike sheaves, the fuzzy inflorescences bloom earlier than the species.

To heighten the garden drama, let ‘Hameln’ anchor a riot of Asters and Nepetas.

Blooms late July–October.

Size: 2'–2-1/2' high x 2-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Pennisetum alopecuroides Hameln (g-0465)
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Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Moudry’ full sun
Black Fountain Grass

Flowing with deep green, fairly wide, glossy foliage, ‘Moudry’ forms a burnished, tidy-looking basal mound. The showy cylindrical spikes resemble large dense foxtails, as they arise on stiff stalks just above lush deciduous leaves, which color to yellow and orange come autumn.

Unparalleled among other ornamental grasses, the phenomenal fuzzy blooms impart dark purple-black shades, and make excellent cut flowers, fresh or dried. Introduced by the National Arboretum from a batch of Japanese seeds, fall blooming Black Fountain Grass is indispensable for its late season appeal in the mixed border.

Blooms September–November.

Size: 2' high x 2'–2-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Pennisetum alopecuroides Moudry (g-0453)
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Pennisetum orientale full sun
Orient Fountain Grass

A dense, rounded clump of narrow arching leaves explodes into long blooming, fuzzy, copper-pink flower spikes, exquisite in large drifts or contrasted with broad-leafed perennials, like Helenium ‘Zimbelstern’. Backlight this grass and enjoy a fountain of color and youth.

Blooms June–October.

Size: 12"–2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Pennisetum orientale (g-0023)
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Pennisetum orientale ‘Shogun’ full sun

Discovered amidst a drift of Pennisetum orientale by the Hooves of Limerock Nursery, ‘Shogun’s taller, more vigorous habit was easy to spot.

Tapered, verdant blades angle upwards from the stiff stems and flex slightly downward as they lengthen. Appearing lighter than air above an uncrowded Asian-style base, spiked bottlebrush-like blooms shape a fluffy, pink-tinged tan cloud that can float midborder amid neighbors such as Echinacea Big Sky ‘Sunrise’ and Baptisia ‘Carolina Moonlight’.

Blooms June–October.

Size: 3'–3-1/2' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Pennisetum orientale Shogun (G-0493)
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Pennisetum orientale ‘Tall Tails’ full sun
Giant Fountain Grass
Pennisetum orientale Tall Tails

Vigorous and heat-loving, and much larger than the species, this bushy Pakistani cultivar has a 3 to 4 ft. vaselike clump of green foliage, with wonderfully whitish “tails” touched by a muted pink ascending a full foot higher. Giant Fountain Grass makes a compelling ingredient in the mixed border, especially with tall Achilleas and Angelica gigas nearby.

Blooms June–October.

Size: 5'–7' high x 3'–4' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Pennisetum orientale Tall Tails (g-0093)
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Schizachyrium

Prevalent in the eastern half of this country, Schizachyriums are becoming a favorite of gardeners everywhere. These warm season clumping grasses have soft-looking, narrow blades, though most of the plant’s height is due to its flower spikes: fluffy plumes of seed heads that look great backlit or as part of a cut arrangement. Deciduous and drought tolerant, they will grow in almost any type of soil except those overly soggy.

Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Blaze’ full sun
Blazing Little Blue Stem

True to its name, ‘Blaze’ displays intense fall colors ranging from pinkish orange to russet-red to purple, often persisting through the winter. This Schizachyrium works well en masse interspersed with other grasses or as a colorful stand-alone in the rock garden.

Blooms July–October.

Size: 12"–2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Schizachyrium scoparium Blaze (g-0078)
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Schizachyrium scoparium ‘The Blues’ full sun

By far the bluest of the Little Blue Stems selected by Dr. Richard Lighty, this Schizachyrium’s true, deep blue foliage has striking, bright burgundy fall coloring. With an upright, clumping habit, ‘The Blues’ easily tolerates heat and humidity, and looks outstanding planted in drifts just about anywhere.

Blooms July–October.

Size: 3' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Schizachyrium scoparium The Blues (g-0081)
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Schoenoplectus

Zebra Rush

Schoenoplectus lacustris ssp. tabernaemontani ‘Zebrinus’ full sun  partial shade

A lively pattern of ½ in. wide alternating alabaster and bright green bands decorate the upright hollow blades, which emerge in spring. The green gradually darkens, while the alabaster develops a luminescent quality that will surely brighten any shady spot and add striking detail to floral arrangements, fresh or dried. Brownish conelike terminal flower spikes are subtle and provide interest. This water-loving Japanese Sedge is happiest at pond’s edge or in a partially submerged container.

Blooms late June–August.

Size: 5'–6' high & spreading; hardy to zone 7.


Schoenoplectus lacustris ssp. tabernaemontani Zebrinus (G-0072)
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Sesleria

Sesleria caerulea full sun  partial shade
Blue Moor Grass

Named to honor Leonardo Sesler, an 18th-century physician and botanist, this European native’s sturdy tuffet fashions a long-lived and versatile, noninvasive ground cover. Easily cultivated, low growing Blue Moor Grass puts forth a dense evergreen mound of soft, two-toned leaves, which are glaucous blue on top and dark green beneath. Twisted and curvy, the leaves present a cooling blue-green base for the small spiky panicles of purplish black flowers that mature to a silvered green.

With enough fortitude to handle cold weather and alkaline soils, Sesleria caerulea is unrivaled as a filler between larger grasses or for edging a pathway, and equally impressive when massed.

Blooms March–June.

Size: 8"–12" high x 8"–12" wide; hardy to zone 4.


Sesleria caerulea (g-0466)
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Spodiopogon

Spodiopogon sibiricus full sun  partial shade
Siberian Graybeard

The lush, bamboolike appearance of Siberian Graybeard brings echoes of Manchurian forests into your corner of the world.

Initially bright green, the 6 to 8 in. long flat leaves gently taper to a point, and splay in dramatic horizontal effect later in the season as rich plum red highlights appear. Rising over a foot above the neatly rounded, bushy profile, unusual 8 to 12 in. purple-blushed, open and erect panicles are napped with fine hairs—excellent light catchers in the afternoon sun.

Planted as a bold architectural specimen or en masse as a handsome screen, its upright habit and sumptuous fall coloration look pleasing with Aster ‘Ochtendgloren’ and Crocosmia ‘Walberton Yellow’. Tending to mope in dry, hot weather, it will flourish in light shade and well drained soil.

Blooms July–late October.

Size: 4' high x 3'–3-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Spodiopogon sibiricus (G-0456)
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Stipa

The species of this widely distributed genus of cool season grasses are evergreen in milder climates. The jointed, bamboo-like flower stalks lend an Asian look to many of the showy varieties. The flowers are stunning in morning and end of the day light, and in the breezes of any hour.

Stipa arundinacea full sun
Pheasant’s Tail Grass
Stipa arundinacea

Like a fountain, the green, bronze and golden narrow blades are upright and arching. Slightly dry soils will intensify the copper tones of this graceful, clumping evergreen Stipa. While grown mostly for its delightful form and color, the subtle inflorescences appear as a fine mist, tinged with small purple and golden seed capsules known as awns.

Blooms June–September.

Size: 2' high x 2'–3' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Stipa arundinacea (g-0077)
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Stipa gigantea full sun
Giant Feather Grass

The first time we saw this show-stopper, we had to ask, “Is it from the tropics, or straight out of America’s bread basket?” In fact a native of Spain, Stipa gigantea boasts 7 ft. tall, jointed stalks that resemble lean bamboo, with airy 10 in. panicles of oatlike flowers that begin as purple-on-green, ripening to pale, metallic gold. The graceful gray-green foliage remains a tidy 2 ft. hummock. This unforgettable display continues all winter, and may bloom as early as February in milder climates. We recommend a gentle breeze and backlighting for full effect. Drought tolerant once established.

Blooms June–November.

Size: 6'–7' high x 4' wide; hardy to zone 7.

AVAILABLE MAY 2008


Stipa gigantea (G-0024)
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Stipa ramosissima full sun
Pillar of Smoke

Hailing from Down Under, Australia’s ‘Pillar of Smoke’ explodes with 6 to 8 in. whorl-branched panicles of silky copper-colored flowers that age to a smoky silver. The amazing floral plumes are held on sturdy, jointed stems amidst towering clumps of bright green foliage.

Undaunted by wind, poor soils and some drought, this strong-growing, cool season evergreen is perfect for southern and western gardens, as well as coastal sites.

Blooms February–September.

Size: 6'–7' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 9.


Stipa ramosissima (g-0037)
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Thamnochortus

Thamnochortus insignis full sun  new plant
Thatching Reed

Exhibiting a kinetic sculptural quality in the wind and a graceful architectural flair all year, slender, unbranched reedlike stems tipped with small golden inflorescences spring from a dense basal tussock. Its tidy and tenacious upright habit prefers good air circulation and acidic soil, and abides drought, frost and seaside conditions once established.

Hailing from the South African coast between Cape Agulhas and Albertinia, Thamnochortus insignis is commonly utilized to thatch traditional Cape Dutch homes, and can be featured in your garden as a dramatic long-lived specimen.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 5'–6' high x 5'–7' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Thamnochortus insignis (G-0084)
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Uncinia

Uncinia rubra full sun  partial shade
Red Hook Sedge

This toasty-hued New Zealand native is highly treasured for narrow, rich mahogany blades arching up and out from its base to forge a burnished tuft warmed by reddened accents. Tiny, Bulrush-like, hooked flowers are elevated above the tidy, low growing evergreen clump that flourishes in cool moist places but sulks in excessive heat.

Massed at water’s edge or nestled in a cobalt blue container, Uncinia rubra strikes a stunning pose with Bergenia ‘Bressingham Ruby’s textural leaves or the rounded foliage of Lysimachia ‘Aurea’ as a golden counterpoint. Zone 7/8.

Blooms June–August.

Size: 12"–15" high x 15" wide; hardy to zone 8.


Uncinia rubra (g-0474)
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