Oh btw, is that your Carex muskingumensis 'Oehme' photo at the Bluestem website? Way to grow girl!

Sharon

I haven't done much with ornamental grasses in the past, but this year i've ordered Melinus 'Savannah', simply because my son's gf's daughter's name is Savannah. :) I've also ordered a cosmos with that name. She loves flowers and gardening, so we'll start these together when they come in.

Marcia, I tried Melinis nerviglumis ÂSavannah a couple of years ago. I started several by seed, it grew really nice and lush but absolutely no red plumes that year, I figured I would save it and see what happens next year, so therefore I overwintered a couple pots in the pumphouse with no such luck, but I'm wondering now if it was just too cold down there. Maybe overwinter yours in your house like Laurie did with her Carex would be more suitable.

Sharon

What zone is 'Savannah' rated for? On the tag for my 'Frosted Curls' carex it says zone 4, but a search showed that it's probably more like a zone 5 plant. Does anyone think it may have a chance at winter survival here? It's increased really well in the house and I'm thinking that maybe a larger plant with a larger root system may do better? I just don't know if I really want to bring it in for another winter because it's become a very lively spider mite condominium :(

I'm excited, I just placed my first order with Bluestem, ordering 1 of each....
Arrhenatherum bulbosum 'Variegatum' - field clump
Carex musk. 'Oehme' - field clump
Deschampsia 'Bronzeschleier' - field clump
Deschampsia cesp. 'Northern Lights' - field clump
Deschampsia 'Shottland' - field clump
Miscanthus sinensis 'Blutenwunder' - 4 inch pot
Panicum virgatum 'Squaw' - field clump
Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues' - field clump
Sorghastrum nutans 'Indian Steel' - field clump

I wished they sold clumps of Calamagrostis epigejos too, they only sell them by 25xplugs.

Laurie, Daves Garden rates Melinis nerviglumis 'Savannah' as USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2° C. I wished I had saved mine in the house instead ;(

Sharon

Nice choices, Sharon. I'd have answered sooner, but just got back from a wonderful spa weekend at Temple Gardens in Moose Jaw.

I tried Panicum virgatum Northwind 2 years ago and it did not survive (nice plants going into winter, too). I was a bit surprised that they didn't live - I'm certain location wasn't a factor.

Last year I ordered P. virgatum Prairie Sky (beautiful blue), Cloud Nine and Heavy Metal. I think I got a Squaw in there, too, but somehow my records don't show it - perhaps it was subsituted for something, I don't recall. Anyway, we'll see how they winter.

Miscanthus cultivars are so far doing well for me - not growing fast and furious, a bit of growth every year. Blutenwunder bloomed for me last year (3rd year in the garden). Last year I got a few more miscanthus cultivars - I'll report on them as the year progresses. I'm really hoping for Morning Light to make it - it's got a ton of snow cover so here's hoping.

Sharon, you'll have no trouble at all with the Deschampsia's, and I've had no trouble with the Carex Oehme (and yes, that is my photo). D. Northern Lights is shorter than the others, and you may find D. Schottland gets some centre kill - many of mine did but the outside is fine - maybe I should have cut it closer down to the crown to expose it a bit more? Bronzeschleier didn't have the same problem.

I've given up on Melinus nerviglumis aka Rhyncheletrum (sp?) nerviglumis. Never got them to bloom either. If it was 7' tall and didn't bloom I'd grow it anyway, but a short tuft of green with no blooms just doesn't do it for me. Apparently it needs a longer period of consistently warm temps (I think that must also include nights) for it to bloom, and not a longer season. We just aren't warm enough long enough plus those cooler nights don't help matters any.

The Carex I'm planning on ordering is Ice Fountains. I figure any of the muskingumensis would be equally hardy.

I haven't placed my Bluestem order yet - the longer I procrastinate the more I add on, hehe.

'Savannah' has no zone rating - sounds like they expect it to be grown as an annual. I wonder if it would bloom if it was started really early. It says 6-8 weeks, but i'll start it right away (as soon as it comes in). Maybe if it's grown in a container close to the house, that might help. I'm thinking of on the deck - facing southwest and brown siding makes for a HOT area. Time for an experiment! :)

Carex muskingumensis 'Oehme' is a lovely and very hardy little grass ...

I'm also gonna try some of the Miscanthus varieties, many of which are said to be hardier than stated, though one has got to take the bloom period into consideration. I'm most interested in 'Huron Sunrise' and ÂGraziellaÂ.

Somewhere I had read of Martin Quinns breeding work with Miscanthus and trials of this grass going on in Edmonton. I had emailed Martin in hopes of him possibly advising me upon the hardiest of varieties, though I had gotten no reply.

Terry

As always Pudge, thanks so much for your reviews, now I'm so glad about my choices. I just got off the phoned talking to Muriel, what a nice lady. She told me that my grasses won't be shipped till around June which is fine with me, that's when I will be taking my holidays ;)

A weekend spa, this is for real and not the bubble! Oh how wonderful that must of been!

Terry that would be great to see more hardy grass breeders. I do have Miscanthus sinensis var purpurascens and it will be going in its 3rd year, but it sure is a slow grower.

Tip from Bluestem: Deschampsia 'Northern Lights' is a "sport". It cannot be grown from seed. Therefore be sure to cut off its seedheads before the seeds ripen, so as to prevent it from seeding the original green species' seeds (remember, it does not reproduce from seed) onto its crown, and therefore causing green plants to grow up amongst the variegated ones.

Sharon

Great thread , Sharon! Grasses have been on my mind this spring and its great to get the personal ratings and experience with the different varieties.

I though I'd try Miscanthus purpurascens 'Flame Grass' from Botanus for starters. This'll be my first try at grasses and I'm really hoping they'll like my hot sandy garden. Might try starting another kind from seed...not sure yet.

Here is a link that might be useful: Miscanthus purpurascens

Thanks for the link for Blue Stem Nursery. Lots of interesting grasses. That Giant Miscanthus grass looks interesting and Deschampsia 'Northern Lights' looks amazing.

I ordered some pampas grass seed (after reading on this forum that others are trying it) as well as Orysa black madras which actually is more like an ornamental rice (according to Dominion seeds catalogue). Maybe it would be good for a low spot by the deck which floods when it pours.

As for perennial grasses, I ordered Imperata Cylindrica 'red baron' because I've always wanted to try it but with a zone 5 rating, I just may throw it in the spare fridge for winter (to simulate a mild Vancouver winter, lol). Either that or mulch like crazy.

Wow, I still have to check out Blue Stem nursery. The only thing stopping me is their shipping charge, which is pricey if you only order one or two plants. Then again, if one orders more it sort of makes it worthwhile and it sounds like you get decent size roots for your money.

Glen

It will be interesting to hear your experience with Red Baron, Glen. 'Regina Glen' has this on his website with a notation that it did survive a couple of winters before disappearing. I'd love to find a good, hardy coloured (red, purple) grass. M. purpurascens doesn't really get red tips for me. The blue grasses really stand out in the landscape - the red coloured, I imagine, would really pop.

M. sinensis Giganteus is one of the plants I ordered last year. It grew very well throughout the season so I'm sure the roots were nicely settled in and spreading before winter hit. I don't really care if this one blooms, I'd just like the height.

BTW in case you hadn't noticed, Bluestem's minimum order is $30.

Here is a link that might be useful: Regina Glen's Blood Grass

If M. sinensis Giganticus is a synonym for M. floridulus, it seldom flowers even in USDA zone4.

Well I decided why should I let everyone else have all the fun of planting (and deciding where to plant things) so I splurged and bought a few things from Bluestem as wellÂ

-Deschampsia cesp. 'Northern Lights'
-Miscanthus ÂGiganteus just because its so, well, gigantic
-Panicum virgatum Ârotstrahlbusch because it supposedly starts developing red-tinge by mid-summer and hardy to zone 3. I imagine imperata has more red color, but then again it's not as hardy.

I think the first two will need mulch, or loads of snowcover?

Glen

Glen, I would mulch them with dry straw at freeze-up time, I cover up every new plant in its first year.

I'm confused, last year I sowed some CALAMAGROSTIS brachytricha.

Is this the syn as...
Achnatherum calamagrostis aka Stipa calamagrostis
Achnatherum brachytricha also listed as Stipa brachytricha?

Sharon

Found my answer ;)

Here is a link that might be useful: Stipa calamagrostis

Oops, I mean Stipa brachytricha!

LOL, I think I'm still confused!

Here is a link that might be useful: Stipa brachytricha

Those confuse me, too, Sharon. I started Calamagrostis brachytricha from seed as well - nice, well behaved plants that winter just fine and bloom around late Aug-Sep. Mine in part shade & slightly moister soil do a little better than those in full sun.

That same year I also started a separate seed, labeled as Achnanthemum calamagrostis, and pulled the plants after a year as they had many really scary runners. Both seed packets were from Gardens North and were definitely two different types of plants.

Deschampsia Northern Lights has been hardy for me, no extra protection. I'm not having an easy time getting Panicums to winter, with the exception of Panicum virgatum which winters but is not a gangbuster grower. So far it appears Miscanthus are happier in my yard than Panicum.

Oh that is good to know Pudge, I've been browsing Gardens North website and was wondering about ordering Achnanthemum calamagrostis.
Bluestem say's its clumping?

Sharon

Pudge, did you notice the Triticum (Utrecht Blue Wheat) in the annual section?

Pudge, did you notice the Triticum (Utrecht Blue Wheat) in the annual section at Gardens North?

(too much cold medication tonight) LOL

That's kinda pricey for the Blue Utrecht wheat. Jim Ternier from Prairie Garden seeds sells it at 10 grams for $2. He has lots of other wheat etc seeds available, too. Excellent quality, I've ordered from him a few times. (Take the time to browse the decorative/flower section, too - he's got a nice variety of Campanula, Dianthus, Datura, and much more).

Here is a link that might be useful: Prairie Garden Seeds from Saskatchewan

PG has some great prices! I don't need anymore wheat, I still have to sow those Triticum Black Tip seeds from last year ;)

Laurie, how is your Carex comans 'Frosted Curls' overwintering indoors?

Pudge, I did some more browsing of Prairie Gardens the other day, I know where I'll be ordering some seed next year ;)

Sharon

Sharon, 'Frosted Curls' is doing really well inside. It's got a primo spot in a south window and I'm sure it's at least doubled in size from the fall. I'm thinking that I maybe might be able to divide it come spring and have two to play with. One for a container to maybe bring in, in the fall, and the other to test winter hardiness with.

Oh that's good to hear about your results Laurie. I'm going to try next fall/winter to bring one indoors now too. I just hope my cat doesn't abuse it ;)

There is one that I really would love to see if I can find at my favourite garden center, its called Carex flagellifera 'Toffee Twist'.

Sharon

Here is a link that might be useful: Toffee Twist

How would you like this in your garden?

Here is a link that might be useful: Dreaming Girls Head

That dreaming girls head is truly amazing! I certainly can appreciate the artistry of it, but I'm just not sure if I'd want it in my garden or not.

That Toffe Twist carex sure looks yummy though! ;0)

My Bluestem order should be in anytime soon, the lady on the phone said June, canÂt wait.

Oh btw Pudge, 2 years ago I started 12 Deschampsia caespitosa Tufted Hair Grass by seed. This year its just starting to bloom, youÂre right, what an attractive OG! I love how it is so elegant and graceful looking. IÂm sure it will even look more awesome as the clumps mature.

Sharon

Hi Sharon,

My Bluestem nursery order arrived last Thursday so yours might come any day. Everything seemed to arrive in fairly decent shape (they ship bareroot wrapped in moist newspaper and then plastic. The miscanthus giganteus root is fairly big. I don't have the planting spot prepared yet so I stuck it in a pot.

I sort of pulled apart pieces of the northern lites grass and have it in three different spots. That way if one doesn't grow well, maybe another will.

I see that walmart had some nice grasses in their garden section for $10 each. Northern lites, some type of carex, sedge ones, etc. I was impressed with the selection (though they are probably getting picked out fairly quick).

Happy planting,
Glen

Oh Glen, thats good to hear, now I'm all excited. Lucky you, our Walmart is boring ;(

Sharon

Not very pleased with my Bluestem order..... 3 of them were not available, yet I ordered very early in February.
These are the ones I didnÂt get.
Deschampsia 'Bronzeschleier'
Deschampsia 'Shottland'
Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues'

I also had to get after them to send my order out since it was already the middle of June.

Can't complain about the quality thou, the clumps were a good size.

Sharon

Mine seemed a decent size as well. As I said I 'divided' the northern lites one and have it in a few spots.

A few weeks after being planted the Panicum virgatum 'rotstrahlbusch' seems to be doing the best, though to be honest it still looks like crab grass that I forgot to mow.

My 'northern lites' seemed a bit drier when it arrived, I even soaked in water for a bit. It's coming around, slowly. I think the problem is that it's a cool season grass, so it slows down in growth this time of year anyways. Fortunately the weather has been more on the cool to just comfortable side this week (though it can't seem to go a day without a downpour of rain).

My Imperata 'red baron' is doing okay, I sort of delayed planting it until I found a spot. Alongside the deck I have a strip of white rock with 3 planting holes. I removed the boxwood (that I adored, but it's toxic to puppies) and planted the northern lites and the red baron grass. It should look nice if/when it ever grows.

Glen