Non-Evergreen Grasses
Ornamental grasses add a beauty and elegance to the garden unmatched by other plants. They provide texture, color, sound and movement. They can act to unite a design when planted en masse or serve as a singular dramatic punctuating accent.
Sturdy and fast growing, they survive a wide variety of conditions, taking wind and salt air. Most varieties prefer average, well drained soil and full sun but will tolerate partial shade. They emerge from dormancy in March/April, grow throughout the summer and flower in late summer/fall. Cut back foliage to the ground in November/December for the winter.
For more detailed information about each plant, please refer to individual cultivar signs, or consult one of Swanson’s nursery professionals.
REED GRASS
Calamgrostis x 'Karl Foerster' 5-6 feet high, 2-3 feet w.
Upright with narrow, green leaves. June bloom. Holds flowers throughout summer.
NORTHERN SEA OATS
Chasmanthium latifolium 3 feet h., 2 feet w.
Upright green leaves. Unique flattened seed heads. Aug-Sept.
JAPANESE FOREST GRASS
Hakonechloa macra and cultivars
Mounding clumps, curving gracefully. Part shade/Shade. Aug-Sept.
H. macra 'Aureola' Gold variegated leaves. 2 feet h., 2-3 feet w.
H. macra 'All Gold' Fully gold leaves. 2 feet h., 2-3 feet w.
H. macra 'Beni kazi' Green leaves turn red in fall. 2 feet h., 2-3 feet w
BLOOD GRASS
Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron' 1-2 feet h., 2 feet w.
Upright in shades of red, light green. Plant in groups. Moist soil.
MAIDEN GRASS
Miscanthus ssp. and cultivars
Numerous cultivars varying in form texture and flower. Aug-Oct. Average to moist soil.
M. sinensis 'Gracillimus' Thin blade white center. 5-6 feet h., 2-3 feet w.
M. sinensis 'Morning Light' Thin blade white edge. 5-6 feet h., 2-3 feet w.
M. sinensis 'Gold Bar' Heavily variegated gold horizontal bands. 4-5 feet h., 2-3 feet w.
MOOR GRASS
Molinia ssp. and cultivars
Mounded and upright forms with spiky flowerheads. Average to moist soil.
Molinia caerulea 'Variegata' Low arching, dark purple flowers. Moist. Aug-Oct. 2 feet h., 2 feet w.
SWITCH GRASS
Panicum virgatum and cultivars
Upright with cloudlike flowers Aug-Sept. Average to dry soil.
P. v. 'Northwind' Narrow upright. 4-5 feet h., 2-3 feet w.
P. v. 'Shenandoah' Red accents mid summer to fall. 3 feet h., 2-3 feet w.
FOUNTAIN GRASS
Pennisetum ssp. and cultivars
Arching foliage, foxtail flowers Aug-Sept. Average to dry soil.
P. a. 'Hameln' Dwarf form.Tan foxtail flowers late summer/fall. 2 feet h., 2 feet w.
P. a. 'Burgundy Bunny Dwarf. Red foliage accents summer/fall. 1.5 feet h.,1-2 feet w.
P. orientale 'Karly Rose' Smokey rose-purple flowers mid summer to fall. 3-4 feet h., 2-3 feet w.
LITTLE BLUESTEM
Schizachrium ssp. and cultivars
Midwest prairie native, upright, architectural form. upright flowers Sept-Oct.
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blaze' Blue-green foliage, red-orange fall color. 3 feet h., 2 feet w.
S. scoparium 'Standing Ovation’ Blue leaves, red-burgundy fall color. 3-4 feet h., 1.5 feet w.
PRUNING NON-EVERGREEN GRASSES
Non-evergreen, deciduous grasses are annually pruned to the ground in November/December or by mid February of the following spring at the latest. This removes all of the previous year’s growth before new leaves begin to emerge.
