Grasses

Acorus gramineus 'Aureus'

Dwarf Golden Sweetflag, Grassy-leaved Sweetflag

Size: 3-5”
Hardiness: Zones 5-8
Growth Habit: Very small, clump forming.

Bright gold, sword-like evergreen grass. Good groundcover.

DR N

Andropogon gerardii

Big Bluestem, Turkey Foot

Size: 3-8'
Hardiness: Zone 3
Growth Habit: Upright.

The Monarch Prairie Grass! This outstanding native grass is tolerant of various soil types from wet clay to dry sand . In late summer its foliage is blue-green throughout summer and changes to an attractive reddish coppery tone. Fantastic late season interest; use this for open fields and meadows, along roadside etc. Great with Asters and other late perennials.

DR N

Andropogon glomeratus

Bushy Beard Grass

Size: 2'

Hardiness: Zones 5-8
Growth Habit: Clump forming and bushy.

Golden, flat, linear leaves that produce small spikelets in summer. A pioneer soil stabilizing plant great for moist to average soils. It is bushier than A. virginicus. A natural for wet areas. Very attractive and distinct seed heads. One of the showiest native grasses. Lovely to see these grasses in the winter, still standing proud when the eye yearns for something cheerful in the landscape.

DR N

Andropogon tenarius

Paintbrush Bluestem

Size: 2'

Hardiness: Zones 6-9
Growth Habit: Upright.

Summer foliage color is often glaucous-blue green. Foliage turns to copper, red, and bronze shades in the fall and winter. From September thru winter fluffy silver seed heads light up landscape.

DR N

Andropogon virginicus

Broom Sedge

Size: 2 - 3'

Hardiness: Zones 5-8
Growth Habit: Clump-forming.

Probably one of the most prominent native grasses. This pioneer species is extremely durable to almost any adverse conditions such as drought or salt spray . Develops a wispy inflorescence (flower) that looks great even through the winter if not cut back. Golden, warm season grass found in open fields with dry or poor soils.

Arundo donax 'Variegata'

Arundo

Size : 10-12' Stalks

Hardiness : Zone 7

Growth Habit : Broadly variegated leaves.

Briza media

Quaking Grass

Size: 18-24”

Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Growth Habit: Upright clump.

Cool season grass sets flower and seed in early summer. Bears panicles of translucent, dangling seed heads on wiry stems. Green at first, the seed heads turn a warm tan color as they dry. Cut back after seed heads shatter to encourage fresh growth.

Calamagrostis ‘Avalanche'

Variegated Feather Reed Grass

Size: 48”

Hardiness: Zones 4-7
Growth Habit: Upright clump.

Hot season, new Feather Reed grass has a wide, white band down the center of the leaf blade. Silvery tan plumes starting mid summer.

Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'

Feather Reed Grass

Size : 4-5'

Hardiness :

Growth Habit : Tall, upright.

Early flowering grass with long lasting, wheat-like inflorescense. Great with Buddleia, Boltonia, Monarda.

DR N

Carex appalachica

Appalachian Sedge

Size: 12-24”

Hardiness: Zone 5
Growth Habit: Prostrate.

Medium green foliage with a very fine texture. Naturalizes a shade or woodland garden, and prefers dry grounds. When planted on a slope, this grass can give the impression of the movement of wind and water.

Carex bergrenii

Sedge

Size : 4"

Hardiness : Zone 6

Growth Habit : Loose tufts of leaves, long leaves, and small flower spikes.

Color-changing with blue-green, metallic gray, and reddish-brown. Good trough plant.

Carex buchananii

Leatherleaf Sedge

Size : 18"

Hardiness : Zone 6

Growth Habit : Densely tufted, flower spikes, narrow blades.

Curled at tips.

Carex 'Buton's Blue'

Blue-Green Sedge

Size : 12"

Hardiness : Zones 5-9

Growth Habit : Clump-forming.

Vigorous, long-lived grass is the bluest of the sedges. Reliably adapts to varying soil conditions; is useful and popular. Widely used for erosion control.

Carex com. 'Frosted Curls'

New Zealand Hair Sedge

Size : 12-15"

Hardiness : Zones 7-9

Growth Habit : Clump-forming.

Very attractive fine weeping foliage. Average to dry spots. Narrow leaves seem almost iridescent, silvery green.

Carex conica ‘Snowline'

Miniature Variegated Sedge

Size: 8-10”

Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Growth Habit: Tiny clump forming.

Small, tufted, perennial grass with green-edged, fine, cream leaves and purple-brown flower spikes. Long, narrow foliage. Prefers moist, but well-drained soil. Uncommon in the U.S., but popular in Europe. Species native to Japan.

Carex dolichostachya var. glab. 'Kaga Nishiki'

Sedge

Size : 10-12"

Hardiness : Zone 5

Growth Habit : Clump-forming.

Symmetrical, semi-evergreen mounds 2' wide.

Carex elata 'Bowles Golden'

Tussock Sedge

Size : 2-3'

Hardiness : Zone 5

Growth Habit : Narrow green margin.

Prefers moist soil. Best golden leaved grass.

DR N

Carex emoryi

Emoryi Sedge

Size: 24”

Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Growth Habit: Forms a dense tussock.

This wetland native has straw colored leaves at base with bright green new growth emerging from the top.

Carex hachijoensis 'Evergold'

Sedge

Size : 8-10'

Hardiness : Zone 6

Growth Habit : Clump-forming and showy.

Bright yellow leaves with a green mid-vein.

Carex 'Ice Dance'

Sedge

Size : 12-15"

Hardiness :

Growth Habit : Leathery, semi-evergreen leaves. Weed-smothering groundcover.

Carex 'Montana'

Sedge

Size : 10"

Hardiness : Zones 4-9

Growth Habit : Upright and clumping.

Greens up early in the year and remains a fresh green until Autumn. Leaves turn and attractive brown in winter.

Carex morowii ‘Ice Dance'

Japanese Sedge, Marrow's Sedge

Size: 12” Tall and Wide

Hardiness: Zones 6-9
Growth Habit: Variegated, clump forming.

Low maintenance ground cover. This is a new, improved introduction of variegated sedge. Long arching blades are shiny, brilliant silvery white, very crisp and clean over rich green. This improvement is drought tolerant once established, quite vigorous and mostly evergreen. Very shade tolerant, best in rich soils. Great groundcover plant for illuminating shady gardens.

Carex morrowii 'Silver Sceptre'

Sedge

Size : 10-12"

Hardiness : Zones 5-9

Growth Habit : Clump-forming.

Clump forming green leaves with a wide white margin. Attractive ground cover that can be used in troughs and rock gardens.

Carex musk. 'Little Midge'

Sedge

Size : 12-15"

Hardiness : Full Zones 5-9

Growth Habit : Compact and dense.

Very fine foliage - erect stems bear bright green leaves. In early to mid-summer produces golden brown flower spikes.

DR N

Carex pennsylvanica

Pennsylvania Sedge

Size: 8"

Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Growth Habit: Clump-forming, spreading. Weeping, mounding habit.

A wonderful groundcover for average to dry deciduous shade. Our prevalent, indispensable, native grass is happiest under Oak trees. This is one of the first plants to green up in the spring with flowers tan in color. Leaves are a nice, glossy green. Average to dry soils will do. Plant in mass and let slowly spread for a groundcover, where little else will grow. Nice alternative to a lawn that won't grow in the shade, no mowing needed.

DR N

Carex plantaginea

Plantain-leaved Sedge

Size : 1-2'

Hardiness : Zones 4-9

Growth Habit : Clump-forming.

Flowers are brownish-black in color and arching emerging early spring. Broad, flat leaves are bright green with many veins. This evergreen sedge is best suited for woodland settings.

DR N

Carex platyphylla

Silver Sedge

Size : 8-12"

Hardiness : Zones 4-8

Growth Habit : Clump-forming. Spreads slowly to form a lovely groundcover.

Brown flowers in April-May. Beautiful, pleated gray-green leaves look good all winter.

Carex siderostica 'Banana Boat'

Sedge

Size :

Hardiness : Zones 6-9

Growth Habit : Needs warm weather to emerge.

Gold leaves with green edges

Carex siderostica 'Island Brocade'

Sedge

Size :

Hardiness : Zone 6

Growth Habit : Broad arching blades.

Creamy yellow blades.

Carex siderostica 'Variegata'

Sedge

Size : 12"

Hardiness : Zones 6-9

Growth Habit : Clump-forming.

Slender, pale brown flower spikes in late spring. Broad pale green leaves, striped white and pink flushed at base.

Carex spec. 'The Beatles'

Mop-headed Sedge

Size : 3-4"

Hardiness : Zones 7-9

Growth Habit : Low, evergreen.

Dark green leaves. Inconspicuous flowers are held down by foliage. Slow-creeping habit and fine textured leaves make it a useful plant.

Carex stricta

Tussock Sedge

Size : 2-3"

Hardiness : Zones 5-8

Growth Habit : Clump-forming. Forms dense tussocks of straw-colored leaves at base.

Bright green new growth emerges from the top. Found in wet meadows, swamps and along stream banks.

DR N

Carex stricta ‘Variegata'

Sedge

Size: 9-12”

Hardiness: Zone 4
Growth Habit: Rapid grower.

Green leaf blades with white stripes. Requires moist soil.

DR N

Carex vulpinoidea

Fox Sedge

Size : 3'

Hardiness : Zones 4-8

Growth Habit : Medium height, obligate wetland plant.

Freshwater marshes, wet meadows.

Chasmanthium latifolium

Northern Sea Oats

Size: 2-3'

Hardiness: Zones 3-8
Growth Habit: Clump-forming, upright.

This attractive, native grass is tolerant of shade, drought, salt , and spreads fairly rapidly. Sometimes used in dry flower arrangements.

Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila'

Compact Pampas Grass

Size: 4-6'
Hardiness: Zones 7-10
Growth Habit: Dense, clump forming.

Very architectural, this is a gray-green grass with showy flower heads in August with large, cone-shaped heads, the best of the Pampas. Tolerant of coastal conditions , but cannot tolerate standing water or wet feet. Hardiness can be inconsistent.

Cortaderia selloana 'Usballata'

Pampas Grass

Size : 7'

Hardiness : Zones 6-10

Growth Habit : Clump-forming.

This cultivar has huge, ivory colored plumes - Outstanding! Plant found in Usballata, Argentinean village in the Andes foothills.

DR N

Deschampsia flexuosa

Crinkled Hair Grass

Size: 8-12"

Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Growth Habit: Clumping.

Tufts of slender leaves and a bouquet of slim-stemmed flower spikelets colored purple or bronze when they emerge in summer, turn mellow to a fine gold. Wonderfully arching flowers have a crinkle to them, making a shimmering haze when backlit by the sun. Foliage is bright green. Native to North America across the Arctic Circle into Asia and Europe, this plant's foliage is easily mistaken for hard fescue. The inflorescence is held higher (approx. 16-18") above the 3-4" foliage and is much more graceful than any of the Festuca. Excellent low maintenance accent for sandy, well-drained soils. Grows best in partial shade and requires moist soil.

Elymus a. ‘Blue Dune'

Blue Wild Rye, Blue Lyme Grass, European Beach Grass

Size: 1 ½ - 2 ½'
Hardiness: Zones 4-10
Growth Habit: Forms loose, spreading clumps. Densely tufted.

Blue leaves, ¼ - ½” wide and 24” long. Almost metallic blue foliage. Tolerates salt and spray . Also, drought tolerant. Prefers well-drained soil, even sand dunes!

Elymus arenarius 'Glaucus'

European Blue Dune Grass

Size : 1-3'

Hardiness :

Growth Habit : Weeping and spreading.

Almost metallic blue foliage with inflorescence. Quick cover for sandy, gravely soils.

Equisetum hyemale var. robustum

Giant Scouring Rush

Size : 5-7'

Hardiness : Zones 4-10

Growth Habit : Horizontal in youth, vertical as it ages.

The spores are borne in conelike spikes at the tip of the stem. Evergreen foliage is grayish green, turning greenish bronze in winter. This is a dramatic garden accent. Stems have an architectural quality. They are very tolerant of soil type; will also grow in 4-6" of water.

DR N

Eragrostis elliotii

Blue Love Grass

Size: 3' Tall and Wide

Hardiness: Zones 6-10
Growth Habit: Clump-forming.

Graceful clump of narrow, very blue gray grass. In early May airy but sturdy plumes arise, opening like a tan cloud. E. elliottii makes a 3' wide clump of narrow powder blue foliage. Drought tolerant. Native to the southeastern U.S.

DR N

Eragrostis spectabilis

Purple Love Grass

Size: 18-24”

Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Growth Habit: Clump-forming.

Light green leaves; flowers are red to purple and near the end of the growing season, foliage will turn to fluffy clouds of bronze-red in full sun. Irresistible texture plant for the late summer garden. Found in dry, sandy fields.

Eragrostis trichoides

Love Grass

Size : 4'

Hardiness : Zones 5-9

Growth Habit : Erect clusters with arching foliage.

Long airy panicles appear in June and last thru late summer. Midwest native.

DR

Erianthus ravennae

Ravenna Grass

Size : 9-12'

Hardiness : Zones 5-8

Growth Habit : Upright and clumping.

A dramatic grass. Flower plumes, up to 2', last Sept thru winter. Plumes lighten from purplish to beige to silver. Although big, this plant is not invasive. It makes a good screen.

DR

Erianthus strictus

Erianthus

Size : 3-6'

Hardiness : Zone 6

Growth Habit : Narrow plume grass.

DR

Festuca amethystina 'Superba'

Tufted fescue

Size : 18"

Hardiness : Zones 4-8

Growth Habit : Densely tufted, tussock-forming.

Early Summer bears spikelets of violet tinted, green to purple flowers Fine blue foliage with 12" red stemmed tassels.

Festuca gautieri

Bearskin Fescue

Size : 4"

Hardiness : Partial Zones 4-6

Growth Habit : Tufted, dense clumps.

Dense, bright green clumps form neat cushions. These tight mounds are ideal for rock gardens and alpine troughs.

DR

Festuca glauca 'Azurit'

Blue Fescue

Size : 1'

Hardiness : Zones 3-8

Growth Habit : Clump-forming.

Fine, wiry leaves form dense silver-blue cushions. Cool season grass - goes dormant in the heat of summer. Drought tolerant.

Festuca glauca 'Blauglut'

Blue Fescue

Size : 10"

Hardiness : Zones 3-8

Growth Habit : Clump-forming.

Forms dense electric blue cushions with fine texture and regular shape. Drought tolerant.

Festuca glauca 'Boulder Blue'

Sheep's Fescue

Size : 12"

Hardiness : Zones 4-8

Growth Habit : Stiff and upright leaves.

Drought and heat tolerant. Very slate blue leaves.

Festuca glauca 'Daeumling'

Tom Thumb Fescue

Size : 12"

Hardiness : Zones 4-8

Growth Habit : Erect or arching. Very compact.

Bears spikelets of 4-7 voilet-flushed, blue green flowers mid-summer. Silver-blue young growth aging to mid-green.

Festuca glauca 'Seeigel'

Blue Sheep's Fescue

Size : 8"

Hardiness : Zones 3-8

Growth Habit : Clump-forming.

A very fine textured, springy clump of green-gray instead of blue-gray An interesting accent in a perennial border or for edging. This plant also makes a nice groundcover.

Festuca glauca 'Solling'

Blue Sheep's Fescue

Size : 8-10"

Hardiness : Zones 4-9

Growth Habit : Clump-forming.

Forms a beautiful clump of light blue fine textured leaves. Feels like soft steel wool to the touch. Plants knit together into an almost seamless turf if placed together.

Festuca ovina glauca 'Elijah Blue'

Blue Sheep Fescue Grass

Size : 8-10"

Hardiness : Zones 3-8

Growth Habit : Upright.

Bluest of all the blue fescues. Compact with deep blue tufts all year. Introduced by the late Lois Woodhull of "The Plantage," from Long Island.

Festuca subverticillata

Nodding Fescue

Size: 8-18”

Hardiness: Zone 5
Growth Habit: Clumping habit with graceful, vase-like form.

Dark green, glossy blades. Adds a windswept element of texture to the garden.

Festuca val. 'Glaucantha'

Fescue

Size : 6"

Hardiness : Zones 4-7

Growth Habit : Densely tufted.

Bears spikelets of 3-8 white-frosted,pale green flowers in late summer. Narrowly linear, flattened bluish green leaves.

Hakonechloa macra

Size : 2"

Hardiness :

Growth Habit : Dense masses.

Graceful dwarf grass.

Hakonechloa macra 'Albo Striata'

Japanese Forest Grass

Size :

Hardiness :

Growth Habit : Broad, cascading leaves.

This is a forest grass so it loves the shade!!!

Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold'

Japanese Forest Grass

Size: 10-12”

Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Growth Habit: Very slow spreading mound.

Completely golden foliage. Very useful for brightening a shady area. Lovely, graceful texture.

Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola'

Japanese Forest Grass

Size: 18-24"

Hardiness: Zones 5-8
Growth Habit: Dwarf, forms dense mass.

Leaves are bright yellow with narrow green stripes. Arching, linear leaves are red flushed in autumn persisting into winter. Bears needle-like, pale green spikelets in late summer. Bright gold and white variegation make this 2' beauty a bright spot for semi-shaded gardens.

Helictotrichon 'Sapphire'

Blue Oat Grass

Size : 18-24"

Hardiness : Zones 3-8

Growth Habit : Stiff, upright foliage.

Best blue color form - good for dry locations.

DR N

Hystrix patula

Bottlebrush Grass

Size : 8 -12"

Hardiness : Zones 5-9

Growth Habit : A cool season, clump forming grass.

Flowers June - Aug. Flower stalks make great cut/dried arrangments.

Juncus ‘Carmen's Gray'

California Gray Rush

Size: 1-3'
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Growth Habit: Clump-forming.

Prefers moist, boggy areas. Steel-gray foliage. Stiff, vertical, cylindrical leaves are 1/8 – ¼” diameter. Prefers light shade, but will tolerate full sun as long as there is moisture.

Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis'

Cork Screw Rush

Size: Grows 18 -24"

Hardiness: Zones 4-9
Growth Habit: Upright, contorted.

A bizarre specimen and conversation piece for moist soils. Uniquely twisted and contorted, smooth, round, green tubular stems, forming a jumbled clump.

Juncus gerrardi

Soft Rush

Size :

Hardiness :

Growth Habit : Low-growing.

Liriope muscari ‘Big Blue'

Big Blue Lily Turf

Size: 1-2'
Hardiness: Zones 5-10
Growth Habit: Dense, slow spreading, and clump forming.

Not really a grass, this ground cover does best in partial shade with adequate moisture. It blooms nicely in August with bright lavender flowers, followed by purple-black fruit, and has glossy, dark green foliage with evergreen, strap-like leaves. Drought tolerant.

Liriope spicata ‘Silver Dragon'

Monroe White Lily Turf

Size: 1'
Hardiness: Zones 5-10
Growth Habit: Dense, slow spreading, and clump forming.

Thin, variegated leaves, striped white boldly host shimmering silver-lavender flowers. Does best in partial shade. Also has purple-black fruit after flower.

Luzula l. luzuloides

Wood Rush

Size :

Hardiness : Zones 5-8

Growth Habit : Dense groundcover mat with sprawling habit.

Grows in almost any soil - even dry. Nice seed heads.

Luzula sylvatica ‘Aurea'

Golden Wood Rush

Size: 12" Tall, 24" Flower

Hardiness: Zone 6
Growth Habit: Dense tufts spread slowly for weed-smothering masses.

Golden, grassy foliage that's loose and strap-like with a lighter gold line along the edge.

Luzula sylvatica ‘Marginata'

Variegated Wood Rush

Size: 1'

Hardiness: Zones 3-8
Growth Habit: Tufts or loose low mounds.

Banded wood rush. Green with gold margins on leaves. Useful texture for shade gardens.

We would like to express our concerns about the possible chance of invasiveness regarding all Miscanthus. If you see this grass seeding itself please let us know so we can advise.

Miscanthus ‘Little Kitten'

Dwarf Maiden Grass

Size: 2-2 ½'

Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Growth Habit: Mounding habit.

Small mound of narrow, green foliage to 15” tall. Topped with plumes to 3o” tall late summer and fall.

Miscanthus floridulus

Giant Silver Grass

Size : 8-12'

Hardiness : Zones 5-8

Growth Habit : Clump-forming.

Silvery spikes rise dramatically in October-January. Great special effects plant. Good summer screening quality.

Miscanthus purpurescens

Flame Grass

Size : 4-5' Foliage, 5-6' Plumes

Hardiness : Zones 5-8

Growth Habit :

Foliage turns red as summer progresses. Plumes all fall.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Adagio'

Ornamental Grass

Size : 4"

Hardiness :

Growth Habit : Dwarf form.

Pinkish blooms turn to white.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Cabaret'

Japanese Silver Grass

Size: 6-8'
Hardiness: Zones 6-9
Growth Habit: Upright with fountain top.

This grass is a splendid addition to the perennial backdrop or specimen planting. Foliage topped by copper colored flowers. Wide, ribbon-like foliage with milky, white, linear-striped centers and dark green leaf margins; makes a bold accent or focal point in a garden. Pink plumes, September to October.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Cosmopolitan'

Ornamental Grass

Size : 7-9"

Hardiness :

Growth Habit : Upright and weeping.

Broad variegated blades with white margins.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Dixieland'

Maiden Grass

Size: 3-4'
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Growth Habit: Upright and arching.

Creamy white and green leaves almost glow in landscape. Strong arching habit stands up to wind and rain.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus'

Ornamental Grass 'Gracillimus'

Size : 5-6'

Hardiness : Zones 4-9

Growth Habit : Erect, clump-forming.

Feathery silver flower stalks emerge in late summer. Narrow, slender, arching, graceful leaves from erect clumps. Foliage turns attractive orange in fall-leave uncut for winter.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'

Maiden Grass

Size : 3-4'

Hardiness : Zones 5-8

Growth Habit : Clump-forming.

Reddish-bronze plumes appear in the late fall. Narrow green and white variegated leaves-subtle but effective. Good accent plant - prefers rich, moist soil.