landscaping
The grass I'm telling people about most these days is tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa, zones 4 to 9). Think of it as a cross between 'Karl Foerster' and blue fescue — a tidy, globe-shaped green clump that explodes in summer with flowers of the cleanest, freshest apple green. Those fade to wheat and hover above clumps like raindrops suspended on rods. (See an example in the background in the next photo.) Hair grass is native to northern and western North America. It grows well in sun or partial shade, and damp or dry soil; it likes a bit of shade in the heat of the day. Cultivar 'Northern Lights' has variegated foliage that turns pink when the weather cools.
Another underused cool-season grass is autumn moor grass (Sesleria autumnalis, zones 5 to 8). Like tufted hair grass, its apple-green-flowered comrade, this one is a must for fans of chartreuse. Its spiky clumps bloom with little thumbs of soft flowers that shimmer and fade to white with a hint of green. This grass isn't a huge fan of humidity, but it's a fine addition to dry sites in sun.
Popular miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis cultivars) is the grand dame of warm season grasses — so much so that I find folks are more likely to know it by its botanical name than its common name ("maiden grass"). You'll find many varieties of miscanthus on the market, but most are 4 to 6 feet tall, have a vase shape and bloom anytime from midsummer to fall. My favorite is the standby 'Morning Light' (zones 5 to 9), a vision in very slender, flocked blades. This one blooms late or not at all, making it more a foliage plant, but that's good in that Miscanthus sinensis, the parent species of all these grasses, has come under fire as a weedy, seedy invasive species in recent years. Experts question the cultivars' ability to seed, but the bottom line is: If it doesn't bloom, it won't set seed. Miscanthus likes full sun.
A warm-season grass that's exploded in popularity recently is switch grass (Panicum virgatum, zones 5 to 9). The species is pictured here along with its cultivar 'Dallas Blues'. Switch grass is native to almost all of North America, save for the West Coast. Its grace as a foliage plant is exceeded only by its pretty pink flowers, and this grass thrives in heat and drought. Most cultivars come in either blue, such as 'Dallas Blues' or popular 'Heavy Metal', or red, as in 'Prairie Fire' and 'Shenandoah'. 'Northwind' is another blue cultivar of great use to designers because of its striking upright stance. All prefer sun. Andrew Keys Landscape Architects & Designers Switch Grasses (Panicum Virgatum) 'Dallas Blues' switch grass (Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues') at right, the species plant (P. virgatum) at left. Photo: Andrew Keys
So many great grasses have only recently come into vogue, and one is muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris, zones 5 to 9). Muhly is another native, calling the southeastern half of the United States home. This grass much prefers sun, poor soil and well-drained soil, making it a prime candidate for coastal planting. Its narrow blades are beautiful, but its misty pink-purple blooms in fall are its real claim to fame. White-flowered varieties can also be found on the market today.
'Karley Rose' fountain grass (Pennisetum orientale 'Karley Rose,' zones [5] 6 to 8). There aren't many grasses I don't love, but this may be my favorite. 'Karley' gets bigger and beefier than your average fountain grass — about 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide. It blooms in fuzzy pink early in the season, with flowers that fade to a more buff pink. Best of all, it reblooms throughout the season, so it's an all-summer stunner. 'Karley Rose' needs full sun and dry soil to thrive, and good drainage is essential in the northern reaches of its range.
If you need a fabulous grass for shade, lJapanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra, zones 5 to 9). these little grasses excel in shade, even moderately dry shade. Forest grasses tend to be a bit chartreuse, max out at about 1½ feet tall and wide, and their naturally cascading habit makes them gorgeous for raised beds and walls. They take their time getting settled in, but once they do, they'll more than return your investment of time. 'All Gold' Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa Macra 'All Gold') Caution, deer like this one
Purple fountain grass is the perfect addition to perennial garden beds as well as larger container plantings, and gardeners in nearly any zone can find a use for it. Its height makes it a great plant for the middle part of your garden, mixed in with flowering perennials or planted en masse for a more meadow-like look. If you opt to use purple fountain grass in your mixed perennial bed, plant it in groups of three to provide repetition and consistency. If you tuck it into a container, make sure the vessel is large enough to accommodate the mature size of the grass; I usually opt for pots at least 2 feet wide at the top. Plant it in the middle of the pot, and place flowering annuals such as purple petunias or calibrachoas and lime-green sweet potato vine around the base. The purple and green colors play off each other beautifully and create a stunning focal point for your patio or deck.
First up is everyone's favorite, 'Karl Foerster' feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster', zones 5 to 9). 'Karl' is the picture of long-season interest. It starts early as a distinguished dark green clump, then virtually explodes in a fluffy fount of pink gingham flowers that nearly triple its height. Those later fade to their signature wheat color and stay pretty for months, even into winter. This grass is A-OK with drought in summer, its nongrowing period, and its columnar form is always fetching.
Q