I have been growing more ornamental grasses lately. They seem to be popular at the nurseries. I have grown some over the years, but have not paid much attension. Mostly Miscanthus, they seem to be the most popular. Many of the grasses are somewhat large for the garden, but there are some new hybrids that are more compact. Please share your thoughts and photos of ornamental grasses...

Panicum virgatum 'Cheyenne Sky' WW32 Switchgrass V2- (Babikow, Pensacola, FL) Compact Switchgrass, Mature plant size: 36x18in., blue-green foliage that turns deep wine red in early summer., USDA Hardiness Zone 4, Michigan Bloom Month -, In Garden Bed V2 for 304 DAYS (Lowes). Planted in 2021.

Missouri Botanical Garden: 'Cheyenne Sky' is a switch grass cultivar that is noted for its tall, upright, blue-green foliage that turns deep wine red in early summer. It typically grows in a dense, erect, narrow clump to a compact 2' tall (3' tall with flower spikes present). U.S. Plant Patent Applied For (PPAF).

Photo by F.D.Richards, SE Michigan. Link to additional photos of this plant from 2022:

https://www.flickr.com/search/...

#Michigan, #49236, #usdaZone6, #Perennial, #Grass, #CheyenneSky, #Panicum, #SwitchGrass, #WW32

I do admire the occasional patch in someone else's yard, on very rare occasions if it has stripes or a bright red color, but I would never devote space of my own to something called "ornamental grass" which sounds as oxymoronic to me as "ornamental weeds."

I admire the marketing genius of the person who started the phrase though, instead of us just calling it "grass that is too tall to mow." If my husband hears this phrase, he's going to want to know, what height does the lawn need to reach to call it ornamental?

https://www.scientia.global/dr...

I love ornamental grasses, especially because of their year-round interest. If I had a larger yard I'd create an entire grass garden.

Random pic from the internet

I too like to see the ornamental grasses in others gardens
I think it is because of all the weeds I have to battle , the grasses more often win, and that gives me a bad bias against them.

The photo above looks lovely

I have had this one for over 10 years. I like feather reed grass because it is tall and slender...

Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Overdam' WW32 Feather Reed Grass E2- (White Margin) Feather Reed Grass, Mature plant size: 3x2ft., Buff color, sun or part shade, USDA Hardiness Zone 4, Michigan Bloom Month -, In Garden Bed E2 for 14.1 YEARS (2@Heritage). Planted in 2008.

Missouri Botanical Garden: 'Overdam' is a feather reed grass cultivar which is noted for having variegated foliage featuring green leaves with creamy white margins. It is further distinguished by having a more compact size (2-4' tall) and for its pinkish-green flowers.

Overdam is cool-season grass. Cool-season grasses put on most of their growth in spring before temperatures begin exceeding 75 degrees Fahrenheit and in the fall when temperatures cool down. They generally maintain good color through the summer but won't grow much when it is hot.
Cut back cool season grasses in very early spring.

Patio garden, east. Hybrid (C. arundinacea x C. epigejos) Noted for its variegated foliage, early bloom, vertical lines and ability to grow in wet soils. Planted in 2008. Seeds are sterile. Had 2, one remains in 2021.

Photo by F.D.Richards, SE Michigan. Link to additional photos of this plant from 2015, 21, 22:

https://www.flickr.com/search/...

#Michigan, #49236, #usdaZone6, #Clump, #Coolseason, #Grass, #perennial, #FeatherReed, #Compact, #Overdam, #CalamagrostisXacutiflora, #Calamagrostis, #WW32

I love ornamental grasses but I don't grow too many. The first one I tried was miscanthus 'Zebrinus'. It wasn't a good pick because it flops over and has been impossible to dig out.

I have had Zebrinus for over 20 years. I do not recall it flopping over, but it does get full sun. It grows better if you burn it in the winter or early spring. Mine is in a location where I can do that. You just have to burn before the nearby perennials start to show.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus' 11/2021 Chinese Silver Grass- (Ornamental Grass) Chinese Silver Grass, Mature size: 5x4', zebra-striped leaves, USDA Hardiness Zone 5, Michigan Bloom Week ISO WW40, In Garden Bed P2,1a for 24.6 YEARS (Meijer). Planted in 1997.

Dark green leaves with zebra-striped, gold-yellow bands extending horizontally across the leaves. Tiny pink copper-tinted flowers appear in late summer. The stripes tend to burn in full sun. Torched 2018, 2019, 2021. Grows much better when burned in early spring or winter.

Photo by F.D.Richards, SE Michigan. Additional photos of this plant from 2012, 14, 15, 18, 21:

https://www.flickr.com/search/...

frankrichards16 said: . . It grows better if you burn it in the winter or early spring. Mine is in a location where I can do that. You just have to burn before the nearby perennials start to show. . .

Frank, do you mean literally lighting it on fire? Why? Is that just a convenient way to discard of all that tough grass material, or is there some advantage to the heat of fire in encouraging regrowth?

NMoasis said: Frank, do you mean literally lighting it on fire? Why? Is that just a convenient way to discard of all that tough grass material, or is there some advantage to the heat of fire in encouraging regrowth?

Yes, I light it on fire. It's how Mother Nature does it. It does a better job of removing the previous years growth and from my experience, regrowth is stronger. Not sure about the heat of the fire...

I can't burn it as it is right next to my neighbor's fence. I cut it down but I always thought it would be easier to burn after cutting it down.

I like carex and grow a few of those because up until last year, my property was shady. Also Hakonechloa - Japanese Forest Grass.
Here is hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' when the trees were still up. This year, they are very pale in the full sun and droughty conditions.



I have tried a few grasses but none did that well due to the shade. Now I can probably try some.

Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Avalanche' WW32 Feather Reed Grass J1- (American Ornamental Perennials) Feather Reed Grass, Mature plant size: 5x3ft., Variegated, white central band bordered by narrow green margins , USDA Hardiness Zone 4, Michigan Bloom Month 5, In Garden Bed J1 for 13 MONTHS (Menards). Planted in 2021.

Digging Dog Nursery: This distinctive newcomer is a variegated form of Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' first spotted by Steve Schmidt at American Ornamental Perennials. Showcasing dramatically striped foliage, the medium-sized clumps spring to life as a hefty white central band bordered by narrow green margins embellishes each blade. Topped with an airy aura of rose-tinged green plumes that later take on warm, golden hues, 'Avalanche's straight-up stance forges a compelling specimen, or when planted en masse, a boldly patterned screen. (PPAF)



Photo by F.D.Richards, SE Michigan. Link to additional photos of this plant from 2021, 22:

https://www.flickr.com/search/...

#Michigan, #49236, #usdaZone6, #ClumpForming, #CoolSeason, #wet, #Grass, #FeatherReed, #Avalanche, #CalamagrostisXacutiflora, #Calamagrostis, #WW32

Miscanthus sinensis 'Malepartus' WW35 Miscan N4- (Chinese Silver Grass) Maiden Grass Miscan, Mature plant size: 5x4ft, Early blooms, USDA Hardiness Zone 5, Michigan Bloom Week ISO WW34, In Garden Bed N4 for 332 DAYS (KBK). Planted in 2021.

Monrovia: Unlike most that bloom in fall, 'Malepartus' blooms in midsummer, allowing cool climate gardens to be graced with the full beauty of this ornamental grass. Plumes are held high above broad foliage with a superb erect habit; they open pink, turn coppery red in fall, then turn silvery white in winter. Bronze-red fall foliage adds striking contrast.

Apartment of the fox in the animal fable= malepartus

Photo by F.D.Richards, SE Michigan. Link to additional photos of this plant from 2022:

https://www.flickr.com/search/...

#Michigan, #49236, #usdaZone6, #Warmseason, #clump, #Grass, #ChineseSilverGrass, #MaidenGrass, #EulaliaGrass, #Malepartus, #Miscanthus, #WW35

Love the Calamagrostis. Avalanche and Overdam are really similar.
2 of my favorite grasses are Bouteloua Blonde Ambition and Angel's Eyelashes. Angel's Eyelashes is a smaller more compact variety.
Miscanthus tend to flop for me, too. I think if I could convince SWMBO to let me water less they might do better.

best to obey...

I bought blonde ambition last year, but it did not make it thru the winter. Angel sound interesting.

That's the M!

frankrichards16 said: Miscanthus sinensis 'Malepartus' WW35 Miscan N4- (Chinese Silver Grass) Maiden Grass Miscan, Mature plant size: 5x4ft, Early blooms, USDA Hardiness Zone 5, Michigan Bloom Week ISO WW34, In Garden Bed N4 for 332 DAYS (KBK). Planted in 2021.

Monrovia: Unlike most that bloom in fall, 'Malepartus' blooms in midsummer, allowing cool climate gardens to be graced with the full beauty of this ornamental grass. Plumes are held high above broad foliage with a superb erect habit; they open pink, turn coppery red in fall, then turn silvery white in winter. Bronze-red fall foliage adds striking contrast.

Apartment of the fox in the animal fable= malepartus

Photo by F.D.Richards, SE Michigan. Link to additional photos of this plant from 2022:

https://www.flickr.com/search/...

#Michigan, #49236, #usdaZone6, #Warmseason, #clump, #Grass, #ChineseSilverGrass, #MaidenGrass, #EulaliaGrass, #Malepartus, #Miscanthus, #WW35

Hello Frank. Ornamental grass have become popular recently .
They add movement from a small breeze and tall grasses create a backdrop for smaller plants/flowers to showcase. There are so many miscanthus styles, tall , short , many colors, variegated blades and easy breezy care. They stand thru fall in brilliant fall colors until a heavy winter snowfall knocks them down.

The pic below is on the front page as a entry in the combination section showing several different ornamental grasses in fall color.


Porcupine, Zebra , variegated miscanthus , even silver, red and pink.


Smaller ornamental grasses have an huge impact snd styles a peaceful flow in the area with textures, colors and movement.


Zebra and porcupine miscanthus


The dreaded Pampas grass. I had to burn it out to get rid of it. It grew bigger than a small shed and the pretty plumes shed endlessly thruout the season. I had 3 of them….yikes…. lesson learned. The grass blades were razor sharp and scratched anyone who dared to walk by.


Mondo grass is evergreen . Colors in-black or forest green it is not really a grass but closer to the lily family . Another choice for small sections used as ground cover.It's blue flower stalks turn into purple berries for the birds in fall.




Porcupine and Zebra miscanthus.

bumplbea said: Hello Frank. Ornamental grass have become popular recently .
They add movement from a small breeze and tall grasses create a backdrop for smaller plants/flowers to showcase. There are so many miscanthus styles, tall , short , many colors, variegated blades and easy breezy care. They stand thru fall in brilliant fall colors until a heavy winter snowfall knocks them down.

The pic below is on the front page as a entry in the combination section showing several different ornamental grasses in fall color.


Porcupine, Zebra , variegated miscanthus , even silver, red and pink.


Smaller ornamental grasses have an huge impact snd styles a peaceful flow in the area with textures, colors and movement.


Zebra and porcupine miscanthus


Smaller diminutive style of miscanthus



The dreaded Pampas grass. I had to burn it out to get rid of it. It grew bigger than a small shed and the pretty plumes shed endlessly thruout the season. I had 3 of them….yikes…. lesson learned. The grass blades were razor sharp and scratched anyone who dared to walk by.


Mondo grass is evergreen . Colors in-black or forest green it is not really a grass but closer to the lily family . Another choice for small sections used as ground cover.It's blue flower stalks turn into purple berries for the birds in fall.




Porcupine and Zebra miscanthus.

In front blue spiky grass.

Looks like one of the blue Fescues.
Got some pics of Bouteloua 'Blonde Ambition' with Festuca 'Elk Blue'.




I remember this one as Pennisetum 'Burgundy Queen' or something like that. We got it from a Home Depot pack trial held on campus. By the time it stops growing in November, it will be about 4' tall.