Ornamental Grasses
“Grasses, and the related sedges and rushes, have much to offer to the gardener: A long season of elegant growth and a toughness and resilience that makes them exceptionally useful, especially for sites exposed to the elements. But there is more than this to grasses- there is also an intimate relationship with human history that makes them particularly important to us.” -Noel Kingsbury, author of Grasses and Bamboos
Some of the very best for Kansas Gardens
| Andropogon gerardii Big Bluestem | 4-8'. Sun. Great in mass planting. |
| Andropogon scoparius (Schizachyrium scoparium) Little Bluestem | 1-2'. Sun. Great Fall color. |
| Arundo donax Giant Reed | 9'. Sun. Good accent plant. |
| Arundo donax ‘Variegata’ Striped Giant Reed | 6-8'. Sun to part shade. Striking foliage, very useful. |
| Calamagrostis acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ Feather Reed | 5-6'. Sun to part sun. Extremely adaptable, evergreen. |
| Calamagrostis brachytricha Fall Blooming Reed | 5-7'. Sun to part sun. Neat specimen in border planting. |
| Chasmanthium latifolium Northern Sea Oats | 3-5'. Shade to part sun. Aggressive seeder. |
| Erianthus ravennae Hardy Pampas Grass | 9-12'. Sun to part sun. Large plant for screens. |
| Festuca glauca ‘Elijah’s Blue’ Fescue | 8". Sun to part sun. Striking foliage, sometimes short lived. |
| Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ Golden Hakonechloa | 12". Shade. Needs moisture for success, striking. |
| Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ Maiden Grass | 5-8'. Sun. Extremely versatile, great form. |
| Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ | 4-5'. sun to part sun. Neat specimen in border planting. |
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Silberfeder’ |
6-9'. Sun to part sun. Very long lived, great plant. |
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’ Porcupine Grass |
6-8'. Sun to part sun. Great plant with striking foliage. |
Panicum virgatum ‘Cloud Nine’ Switch Grass |
4-6'. Sun to part sun. Intense foliage color, great plant. |
Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ Switch Grass |
3-5'. Sun to part sun. Outstanding in mixed-border. |
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ Dwarf Fountain Grass |
2-3'. Sun to part sun. Great fall show, foliage and flower. |
Pennisetum alopecuroides Fountain Grass |
2-3'. Sun to part sun. Great texture, wonderful fall color. |
Pennisetum orientale ‘Karley Rose’ |
3'. Sun to part sun. Early flowering, unique flower color. |
Phalaris arundinacea ‘Feesey’ Ribbon Grass |
2-3'. Sun to part sun. Aggressive, unique coloration. |