The family of grasses is large and diverse, including, along with those most people think of as grasses, bamboos, sedges, rushes, cattails and sweet flag. Grasses offer a wonderful contrast to the plants which are more traditional to the perennial border, offering an airiness and grace not found in broad leafed plants. They are adaptable to a wide range of soil, temperature and moisture conditions, and are relatively pest and disease free. Grasses are typically very drought tolerant. Although few are included in our catalog, we have increased our offerings and most of the varieties we grow available at the nursery.
ARUNDO
(Giant Reed)
Big grasses which are happy into zone 6. Invasive in warmer areas, but well behaved in temperate regions. Grow in full sun to just a little shade in well drained but moist soil with shelter from winds which may bruise or shred the leaves. Propagate by seed or division.
- ARUNDO DONAX 'VARIEGATA' With plenty of sun and water, this one can easily get 10 feet tall. Green striped and edged white. Pink plumes in fall. $15.00
- ARUNDO PLINII We call this one dinosaur grass for its prehistoric look. Ten feet tall, very thin, slightly bamboo looking.
$15.00 Very limited supply.
CAREX
(Sedge)
There are 1000 species of this grasslike rhizomatous herb. Grow in full sun with some protection from wind. Likes neutral or acidic, moist but well drained soil. Grown for its attractive leaves as the flowers are inconspicuous, lacking both petals and sepals.
- CAREX MOROWII 'ICE DANCE' Shiny green strap shaped leaved with a yellow edge. About 8" tall. Likes light shade. Zone 6 $5.00
- CAREX SIDEROSTICA VARIEGATA Deciduous. About 5 inches tall. Green with creamy gold edge strap like leaves. $5.00
MISCANTHUS
The name comes from the Greek, mischos, stalk and anthos, flower, referring to the stalked spikelets. Leaf blades are narrow, not rolled, but somewhat folded. Native to Old World Tropics, South Aftica and East Asia.
- MISCANTHUS GIGANTEA Veeeery tall, at least 8-10 feet. All green, but it doesn't need help to make quite a statement in the garden as a specimen plant or at the back of the sunny border. 2 gallon pots at $10, ship at cost.
- MISCANTHUS SINENSIS 'COSMOPOLITAN' Variegated foliage with dark green centers and cream-white margins. Mature species can approach 10 feet tall in flower. Zone 6. $10.00 in gallon pots.
- MISCANTHUS SINENSIS 'ZEBRINUS' Green with horizontal bands of white. Can be up to 10 feet tall at maturity. Flowers late summer to early auturm. $10.00 in gallons.
PANNICUM
- PANNICUM VIRGATUM 'PRAIRIE SKY' In gallon pots, $10.00.
PENNISETUM
The name comes from the Latin penna, feather and seta, bristle, referring to the plume-like bristles of some of the 80 odd species. These are native to woodlands and the savannah.
PHALARIS
A group of 15 species of reed-like annual or perennial grasses in varying forms from flimsy to robust. These are native to Northern temperate regions. They are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, dry and wet and are grown for their attractive seedheads, and some for their striking variegated foliage. Most perennial species are quite cold tolerant and have no problems with temperatures in the 15 below 0 range. As a group, they tend to be invasive and are best contained in a sunken, bottomless half barrel. Easily propagated by division.
- PHALARIS ARUNDINACEA 'FEESEY' (Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass) Zone 3. Full sun. Tri-colored fine foliage, green with white striping and pink highlights. Pink variegation is more pronounced in spring. Has a tendency to be invasive, but this can be an advantage if an impenetrable ground cover is desired. Can be confined by a sunken half barrel. Seedheads are excellent for drying. Tolerant of a range of soil conditions, dry to wet. Attractive at stream or pondside. $6.00 in quarts.
- PHALARIS ARUNDINACEA 'LUTEOPICTA' Yellow and green striped, though in full sun will fade to cream and green. Fast spreader. Will tolerate part shade, but prefers full sun. 18-24" tall. $6.00 in quarts. $10 in gallons.
- PHALARIS ARUNDINACEA 'PICTA' Green and white striped. A fast spreader which will be 18-24" tall. Full sun is best. $6.00 in quarts. $10.00 in gallons.
PHYLLOSTACHYS
- PHYLLOSTACHYS BISSETTII One of the hardiest of the bamboos. Here in zone 6, if in a sheltered spot out of wind this one will be evergreen. 8-12 feet or so tall and very slowly spreading. $15 in gallon pots. Larger pots available at the nursery.
PLEIOBLASTUS
This is a group of short to medium sized bamboos which are native to China and Japan. Less invasive with many suitable for containers.
- PLEIOBLASTUS ARGENTEOSTRIATUS Yellow with light green stripes. About 3 feet tall. Slowly spreading, some here and some there rather than a dense area. Likes shade. $10.00 in gallons.
- PLEIOBLASTUS PYGMAEUS A bright green and white striped bamboo. Good on a bank as it makes a thick cover. About 3 feet tall. Part sun or shade is all right. Not necessarily a good neighbor, but excellent in the right spot. $10.00 in gallons.
- PLEIOBLASTUS 'VARIEGATUS' Green and white striped, usually 2-3 feet tall and slowly spreading. A surprisingly well behaved bamboo. $10.00 in gallons.
- PLEIOBLASTUS 'VIRIDISTRIATUS' A small, probably only a foot or so tall, bright yellow and green striped bamboo. Grows in part shade and is only minimally invasive making it a good neighbor in the shade garden.
$10.00 in gallons
SPARTINA
An adaptable species found in freshwater swamps, salt marshes and wet praries. All have slender infloresecnces which are good for drying. They prefer damp soil, even growing in shallow water at the edge of a pond, otherwise they are undemanding, growing in a variety of soils and pH levels. Thrive in full sun and will quickly colonize the pond bank. Good for naturalizing in semi-wild gardens.
- SPARTINA PECTINATA (Prairie Cord Grass or Freshwater Cord Grass) A large grass, at least 6 feet tall when grown damp. Definitely makes a statement in the landscape. To zone 5. $10.00 for a gallon pot.
- SPARTINA PECTINATA 'AUREOMARGINATA' (Variegated Cord Grass) Shiny olive green with a yellow edge. Likes moisture but will grow dry. About 4 feet tall. Flower spikes are narrow with purple stamens. To zone 5. $10.00 a large clump.
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Updated December 30, 2007
Webpages maintained by Jane Unger
Copyright © 1998 - 2008 Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery
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