Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Poaceae
Form: Strongly vertical, clump-forming warm season
grass to a height of 8 feet and spread of 36 inches
Foliage: ¼ inch to 3/8 inch wide, green to green-blue,
with excellent coppery orange-red fall color
Flowers: Terminal, red at emergence and darkening with
age, and resemble a turkey foot; clustered 2 to 4 on the ends of short
peduncles mostly enclosed by sheaths.
July
Seedheads: Retain shape and color through winter,
turning a pleasing tan and waving in the winter wind
Culture: Full sun to very light shade (clumps will
become more open with a tendency to lean).
Native to average to moist tallgrass prairies; also tolerant of drier
urban conditions. Cut to ground in late
winter or when snow load is too heavy to support stems.
Uses: Specimen; backdrop for shorter, rounded
grasses; naturalized areas, prairies, seasonal screen, hot spots, multi-season
interest, cut material, bioswales.
Companions: other native plants; coneflowers, Russian
sage, asters, false sunflower, penstemons
Propagation: Divisions (extremely long root system) or
seed
Cultivars: `Pawnee’ - shorter, reaching 5 to 6 feet; light red fall
color. Becoming more readily available
commercially
`Silver
Sunrise
Sideoats Grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
Poaceae
Form: Clump-forming, warm-season native; rounded,
mounded form to a height and spread of 18 inches; up to 36 inches in flower
Foliage: Light green to blue-green, rather narrow
blades, quite graceful and uniform, fine texture
Flowers: On slender, arching, wand-like stems above
the foliage beginning in June or July and occurring throughout the summer;
individual spikelets are held at a wide angle along the flowering stem, mostly
on one side
Seedheads: Like small oats; becoming tan or
straw-colored during the season, persistent unless stripped by passersby or
animals
Culture: Full sun to very light shade; found naturally
in drier, well-drained midgrass and shortgrass prairies. Very drought tolerant. Cut to ground in late winter
Uses: Naturalized areas, prairies, hot spots; in
mixed borders for texture and early season interest. Sideoats grama is not a heavy reseeder, so
can be overwhelmed by more aggressive grasses in commercial mixes.
Companions: blue flax, Missouri
Propagation: Division or seed
Cultivars: `Trailway’ - sod-forming
native, available in this form for rapid establishment
Blue Grama
Bouteloua gracilis
Poaceae
NATIVE
Form: Warm-season bunchgrass that will self-seed to
form a rather tight, low-maintenance turf; height and spread 15 inches.
Foliage: Slightly curled leaves, blue-green in color
and less than 1/8 inch wide; fall color is tan; very fine texture
Flowers: Held on upright stems above foliage, in a
tight inflorescence resembling a moustache or toothbrush; red turning to straw
and beautiful when backlit by the sun. May to June
Seedheads: Persistent well into winter; delicate cut
material
Uses: The most important range grass of the Great Plains ; soft edger in hot spots when treated as a
bunchgrass, small specimen, wildflower gardens, naturalized gardens.
Companions: puccoon, plainleaf primrose, cowboy’s
delight, purple poppy mallow, sedums, penstemons
Propagation: Seed
Cultivars: `Dismal River
Buffalograss
Buchloe dactyloides
Poaceae
NATIVE
Form: Strongly rhizomatous sod-forming warm season native,
to an unmown height of 6 to 9 inches and spread of 18 to 24 inches or more.
Foliage: Blue-green
blades
Flowers: Female flowers
are nestled in the crown of the plant near the soil line; male flowers and
seedheads stand above the foliage.
People who like a ‘tidy’ look (no seedheads) choose female clones.
Seedheads: Interesting,
persistent unless mowed
Uses: Very low input native turf in
low traffic areas, hot spots, sunny lawns, golf courses.
Companions: Mix with B. curtipendula, Callirhoe involucrate,
Antennaria neglecta, small bulbs for interest turf
Propagation: Seed,
vegetative, plugs, sod
Cultivars: ‘Legacy’
- propagated vegetatively
‘Cody’
‘Prestige’
- not suited for northern zones
‘UC
Verde’ - not suited for northern
zones
Feather Reedgrass
Calamagrostis x acutiflora
Poaceae
Form: Cool-season grass, forming strongly upright
clumps to a foliage height of 36 inches and spread of 48 inches; bloom height 4
to 5 feet
Foliage: Bright green leaves emerge very early in
spring, quickly forming welcome green clumps that last well into fall; blades
up to 1/2 inch wide. Light tan fall
color; medium-fine texture
Flowers: Vertical, loosely ovate, silvery, each
inflorescence up to 12 inches long in June.
This is one of the earliest ornamental grasses to flower.
Seedheads: Tight, narrow form; turning tan by late
summer, effective until mid-winter. This
grass will withstand severe rain and wind and straighten up again
Culture: Full sun to part shade (six hours of sun per
day). Tolerant of most well-drained
soils, including construction sites; drought tolerant once established. Allow
seedheads to stand until late winter or very early spring; cut to within six
inches of base before growth initiates.
Division is rarely necessary unless additional plants are desired.
Uses: Specimen, screen, backdrop in hot sites or borders;
multi-season interest.
Companions: other ornamental grasses with contrasting
shapes, coneflowers, Russian sage, butterflybush, Helen’s flower, shrub roses,
veronica, sedums, asters, almost all perennials
Propagation: Division in early spring
Cultivars: `Karl
Foerster’ - the standard against which the reedgrass cultivars are
judged
`Overdam’ - beautifully
variegated, with a broad cream or white stripe (somewhat variable, depending on
source) in each leaf; less vigorous and shorter; also tolerates more shade but
won’t bloom as well
`Avalanche’ - more
variegated than ‘Overdam,’ but consistently white instead of cream
Other Species: C. strictus
- native
Korean Feather Reedgrass
Calamagrostis brachytricha
Poaceae
Form: Clump-forming, each clump an upright vase;
foliage height and spread 48 inches; 5 feet in bloom
Foliage: Arching, bright green blades to ½ inch wide;
no appreciative fall color; medium texture
Flowers: Lanceolate, feathery, reddish-purple
inflorescences to 12 inches long; one of the latest grasses to bloom, opening
in September
Seedheads: Almost translucent silvery-white; beautiful
when backlit; effective for 2 to 3 months and often persisting through winter
Culture: Full sun to part shade (six hours of sun per
day). Tolerant of most well-drained
soils, including construction sites; drought tolerant once established. Allow
seedheads to stand until late winter or very early spring; cut to within six
inches of base before growth initiates.
Division is rarely necessary unless additional plants are desired
Uses: Less well-known than other hybrids and
species; an outstanding ornamental grass for use as specimen, mass, backdrop in
hot spots or borders; multi-season interest, texture and movement.
Companions: late asters, tall maidengrasses, sedums,
Joepye-weed, ‘Becky’ daisy, shrub roses, penstemon, coneflowers
Propagation: Will reseed occasionally; divide in spring
Northern Sea-oats
Chasmanthium latifolium
Poaceae
Form: Warm-season clump-former, native to moist
thickets and wooded slopes in eastern North America; upright, uniform vase
shape in sun, more open and arching in shade; foliage height and spread 18
inches, bloom height 36 inches
Foliage: Deep, bright green on strong stems, blades up
to ¾ inch wide and 8 to 12 inches long. Seaoats has strong stem foliage, giving
it a dense appearance and different texture than many clump-formers. Emerging
seedlings look like oats.
Flowers:
Oat-like spikelets, arranged almost like the overlapping scales of a fish;
dangling along one side of gracefully arching stems; June
Seedheads: Green turning to tan or straw in winter and
remaining attractive until spring; excellent cut material
Culture: Full sun to full shade, wet or dry soils of
poor to average fertility. Drought tolerant once established; also tolerant of
consistently wet areas. Reseeds itself
with abandon, and seedlings are tenacious in their hold on the earth; will take
over a garden in a matter of two or three seasons unless seedheads are removed
before they shatter.
Uses: Massing, edger, specimen, naturalized areas,
texture and movement in shade, cut material.
Companions: Hostas, cranesbills, low sedums, dwarf
asters, turtlehead, coralbells
Propagation: Seed
Canada Wildrye
Elymus virginicus (canadensis)
Poaceae
NATIVE
Form: Upright, arching form from rhizomes; height
and spread to 36 inches
Foliage: Narrow green blades; open and alternate on
stems
Flowers: Greenish
Seedheads: Wheatlke spikelets, up to 6 inches long,
arching and turning tan; persistent
Culture:
Part shade to shade; moist soils; tolerant of a wide range of conditions
Uses: Naturalized areas, woodlands, wetlands
Propagation: Seed
Sand Lovegrass
Eragrostis trichodes
Poaceae
NATIVE
Form: Broad-spreading, warm-season clump-former,
rather slow to start until weather is quite warm; height and spread of foliage
30 inches and 36 inches; height in bloom 48 inches.
Foliage: Bright green, rather lax arching blades 1/8
inch to ¼ inch wide; tinges of red in fall.
Fine texture
Flowers: Airy, open panicles, reddish to pink-tinged,
on slender stems in late summer, produced in such abundance that the plant
appears to be covered by a wispy pink cloud
Seedheads: Also airy, tan, effective early but not
persistent because of the slender stem.
Rain, snow and ice will cause the stems to bend and break, with no
recovery
Culture: Full sun to a fair amount of shade but
becomes even less upright; sandy or loose soils of low to average fertility,
good drainage. Standing water or poor
drainage in winter in urban conditions will result in the death of this
grass. Allow to lean on surrounding
plants; remove seedheads in late fall to reduce seedling production and to
discourage unwanted inhabitants beneath the prostrate stems
Uses: Naturalized areas, texture and movement,
backdrop, prairies, wildflower gardens, habitat and food for birds.
Companions: butterfly milkweed, tall penstemons, little
bluestem, mountain mint, coneflowers
Propagation: Self-sows; seed or spring division
Blue Fescue
Festuca ovina (Festuca glauca, Festuca ovina var. glauca)
Poaceae
Form: Cool-season grass forming dense, uniform
tufts or rounded clumps, to a foliage height and width of 12 to 15 inches; height in bloom 18 to 24 inches
Foliage: Steel blue and very striking, narrow,
slightly flattened and arching blades less than ¼ inch wide. Foliage maintains its color when plants are
placed in preferred conditions. Very
fine texture
Flowers: Wispy, upright panicles the same color as the
foliage, arching up and out in an open vase shape; not particularly effective;
June
Seedheads: Bleach to tan and fall over soon after ripening,
giving the clumps a less tidy appearance
Culture: Full sun to light shade; loam or sandy loam
soil of average fertility with excellent drainage. Intolerant of extended heat
and humidity, standing water in any season, open winters without snow cover,
consistent salt spray or foot traffic.
Shear in late winter to remove dead foliage. Plan on frequent
replacement
Uses: Small specimen, focal point; structured or
formal pattern in ideal conditions. Best
used with restraint, in locations where two or three plants can be replaced
without destroying the integrity of the planting.
Companions: pussytoes, thyme, Missouri primrose, purple
poppy mallow
Propagation: Seed; division for cultivars
Cultivars: `Elijah Blue’
- very steel-blue form to 10 inches; probably the most long-lived selection for
this climate
Other Species: F. glauca ‘Boulder Blue’
F. g. ‘Sea
Urchin’
Hakone Grass/Japanese Silver Grass
Hakonechloa macra
Poaceae
Form: Warm-season grass; gracefully cascading
blades; weakly spreading, rhizomatous habit resulting in small patches; height
and spread 15 inches
Foliage: Bright lime green, flowing, with blades
sweeping the surrounding soil; copper-orange in fall; fine texture.
Flowers: Subtle, small inflorescences held just above
foliage, not showy. June
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Part to full shade in cool, moist, fertile,
well-drained soils. This native of
Japan’s woodlands is of questionable longevity in the Northern Great Plains but
on the “must try” list of many gardeners.
Provide optimum conditions; do not cut back until growth has initiated
in spring to allow old foliage to protect crown. Old ‘restoration’ neighborhoods around small
ponds or intimate gardens seem to be the best conditions for this grass.
Uses: Provides the much-sought-after texture and
movement of grasses in shaded conditions; specimen near water feature,
boulders.
Companions: coralbells, brunnera, snowdrops, fernleaf
bleedingheart, toadlily, hostas
Propagation: Division, which is rarely necessary
Cultivars: Variegated cultivars include ‘Aurea’ or ‘Aureola,’
with gold bands parallel to margins; very desirable but less hardy
Blue Oat Grass/Blue Avena Grass
Helictotrichon sempervirens
Poaceae
Form: Low, spreading, clump-forming vase, to a
height and spread of 24 inches; 30 to 36 inches in bloom
Foliage: Evergreen, steel blue, the blades narrow and
sharply pointed
Flowers: Tan, open panicles, the individual flowers
loosely arranged toward one side of the curved stalk
Seedheads: Panicles turn warm honey brown, in strong
contrast to the blue foliage
Culture: Full sun to very light shade; loose,
well-drained soil of average fertility. Tolerant
of rocky, sandy, and alkaline conditions, as well as extended drought. Remove tattered foliage in early spring. Avoid standing water, over-irrigation, or
heavy fertilizer.
Uses: Formal edge or mass, extended season of
interest. An awesome, low input
grass.
Companions: ornamental oregano, blazing star, yarrow,
butterflybush, dwarf blue false indigo
Propagation: Seed, division
Japanese Bloodgrass
Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii
Poaceae
Form: Slowly rhizomatous, forming uniform patches of
upright, vertical foliage; height 18 inches, spread 24 inches or more. Not to be mistaken for the viciously
spreading tropical variety, even though its sale is prohibited in many states
Foliage: Emerges green with red tips in spring,
becoming progressively more red through the summer until it looks looking
finally like stained glass in autumn; blades ½ inch wide and evenly spaced (not
crowded or dense)
Flowers: Narrow, cylindrical inflorescence held above
foliage; occurs rarely; May
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun to part shade, average loam or clay
loam soil; well-drained. Not tolerant of
low spots or standing water. Will spread rapidly in locations where it is
happy, but maintains its massed or clump appearance. NOTE: Imperata
cylindrica is on the noxious weed list in many southern states. In
Nebraska, reports vary as to its aggressiveness: some people can’t grow it at all, some people
can grow it but it won’t spread, some people think it is a thug.
Uses: Masses along pond edges, paths, where the
blades can be backlit; accent.
Companions: ‘Husker Red’ penstemon, ‘Ruby Glow’ sedum,
‘New Hampshire’ cranesbill, Siberian iris, plumbago
Propagation: Division
Cultivars: `Red Baron’ - the
most red, and the only cultivar to acquire
Melic Grass
Melica altissima
Poaceae
Form: Graceful, rhizomatous mass of open stems, to
a height and spread of 18 to 24 inches
Foliage: Rough and rasping to the touch, blades 1/8
inch to ¼ inch wide, less than 12 inches long; arranged on thin stalks
Flowers: Densely packed into terminal spikes, deep
purple-black in the cultivar; less so in the straight species. The spikelets are held away from the stem at
almost a 90 degree angle
Seedheads: Tan
Culture: Part shade to shade; average to moist
soils. This is one of the few grasses
that thrives in low light.
Uses: Woodland edge, shade garden.
Companions: coralbells, hostas, astilbe, wild ginger
Propagation: Seed, division
Cultivars: var. ‘Purpurea’
Maidengrass/Japanese Silver Grass/Eulalia Grass
Miscanthus sinensis
Poaceae
Form: Warm-season clump former with cultivars of
varying proportions, most more or less vase-shaped; foliage height 36 inches to
8 feet; spread 36 inches to 5 feet; bloom height varies with cultivar but is
usually not significantly taller
Foliage: Long, usually narrow blades with a distinct
midrib and usually sharp margins; blade width varies with cultivar from less
than ¼ inch to two inches. Bright green
to green with silver, white or gold variegation; reddish to tan winter
color. Foliage persists until removed in
spring. Medium-fine to medium-coarse
texture
Flowers: Slender racemes, digitately (like fingers)
clustered at their bases to form characteristic fan-shaped plumes. Color is often pinkish to silver, with some
selections showing more tan. July to
October, depending on cultivar
Seedheads: Fluffy extension of flowers, usually
silvery-white; some brownish and curled, persistent. The seedheads of many are
very ornamental, lasting well into the winter months and fairly stable in dried
arrangements.
Culture: Full sun to at least half shade (flowering is
reduced, but for late-flowering cultivars, this is not a deterrent). Tolerant
of a wide range of soils, from dry to wet or even briefly standing water. Very late to emerge in spring (particularly
the variegated, fine-textured cultivars like `Morning Light’) but vigorous once
the season warms. Drought tolerant once
established, although some moisture will promote healthier appearance. Allow to stand over winter; cut back to
within 6 inches of soil line in early spring.
Divide in spring, throwing away old dead centers and replanting viable
outer portions. Most older cultivars
bloom too late to produce viable seed in northern climates; however, newer ones
have been bred for earlier flowering, and the potential for seed
production is increased in these. Some are considered noxious weeds in southern
states.
Uses: Specimen, backdrop, mass, seasonal screen,
texture and movement, multi-season interest, dried material. The form and substance of this grass makes it
useful to provide scale in the landscape.
Companions: shrub roses, butterfly bush, blue false
indigo, goldenrod, blue globe thistle, coneflowers, yarrow, boltonia, tall
sedums, hardy hibiscus, balloon flower—nearly any perennial or grass with
substance, and most shrubs.
Propagation: Division
Cultivars: The list of cultivars is nearly endless. Following is a small selection of those
available.
`Adagio’ - Dwarf,
with inflorescences held well above foliage and very narrow blades with curled
ends. Its hardiness not well tested in
this area.
`Blondo’ - green
foliage, rather coarse, introduced by Harlan Hamernik of Bluebird Nursery
`Gracillimus’
- the true `maiden grass’; an old variety with fine texture and rounded form;
no bloom in cold climates; not truly clonal
`Morning Light’
- elegant, with very narrow foliage graced with a white longitudinal
variegation and curled leaf ends; strong, dense upright vase to 5 feet; never
flops; bloom in late October if at all, and inflorescence is held within the
foliage
`Strictus’ - porcupine
grass. Striped leaves held upright, in a
spiky sort of way, very tall and massive (to 10 feet); leaf edges sharp; flowers
reddish in September
`Nippon’ - Very
narrowly upright for a maidengrass, with strong inflorescences in mid-summer
and reddish fall color
`Silberfeder’
- huge, feathery flowers with only a slight pink tint, held above the foliage
with the entire clump rising to 7 feet or more; not strongly upright but tends
to bend and sway
`Grosse Fontaine’
- huge, to 8 feet or more, with mid-season flowering and broad green leaves
`Zebrinus’ - broad
bands of gold to cream; more aggressive colonizer than some
`Huron Sunrise’
- Narrow green foliage with leaf blades held at a sharp angle away from stem;
inflorescence open, with red, silver, gold and yellow apparent at one time in
spikelets
`Variegatus’ -
White striped foliage is ghostlike; form weakly vase-shaped (will retain form
if water is withheld, but flops open in too much shade or moisture); very
dramatic; September blooms are red-tinted
Red Maidengrass/Flame Grass
Miscanthus x `Purpurascens’ (M. sinensis ‘Atropurpureus’)
Poaceae
Form: Spreads slowly to form slightly vase-shaped,
casually upright uniform clumps; foliage height 48 inches, spread 5 feet;
flower height to 5 feet
Foliage: Bright green, up to ¾ inch wide, not
variegated; begins assuming a faint red tinge in mid-summer; fall colors are
spectacular; turning from rich golds to reds in late September; winter color is
warm tan. Medium texture
Flowers: Inflorescences are open, feathery,
silver-white, held on strong stems a foot above the foliage. An early bloomer,
often beginning in early August
Seedheads: Silky, silver, uniform v-shaped plumes up to
8 inches long. They close tightly during
rain and reopen; very persistent and able to re-establish a vertical profile
after heavy snow
Culture: Full sun to part shade, average to moist
soil; sandy loam to clay. Tolerant of
drought once established, but very happy in moist soils. Cut to ground in late winter; divide at this
time
Uses: Specimen, backdrop, screen, naturalized
areas, multi-season interest, dried material.
Companions: tall asters, butterflybush, boltonia,
beebalm, pitcher sage, other ornamental grasses, Helen’s flower, hardy hibiscus
Propagation: Does not self-sow; propagate by division
Tall Purple Moor Grass
Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea
Poaceae
Form: Broad, spreading vase-shaped clump that almost
appears weeping, much wider than tall, to a foliage height of 36 inches and
spread of 5 feet for the species; flower height 48 inches; to 7 feet for the
subspecies
Foliage: Green to gray-green, ½ inch wide,
yellow-orange-tan fall color but not persistent through winter; medium-fine
texture
Flowers: Graceful, airy panicles on the tops of very
long stems. The stems are set at a 45
degree angle or more from the main foliage clump, and the panicles float transparently
above foliage; June
Seedheads: Also airy, translucent tan-silver; always in
motion; not persistent through severe wind or heavy snow
Culture: Full sun to part shade in a wide range of
soils. Tolerant of drought once
established but prefers some moisture.. Cut
seedheads once they have fallen; cut foliage to ground in very early spring
Uses: Backdrop, specimen, texture and movement, a
see-through plant that can be placed in front of shorter perennials and
grasses.
Companions: shorter grasses, butterflybush, joepye-weed,
goldenglow, switchgrass, yarrow, stiff goldenrod, globe thistle
Propagation: Division in spring
Cultivars: There are many different moor grasses that
are hardy in zone 5 with some protection, and good cultivars
`Skyracer’ - very
upright, and very tall, to 8 feet in bloom
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Poaceae
NATIVE
Form: Distinct upright clumps, even in winter under
heavy snow; spreads by both seed and rhizomes to form uniform stands. An important warm-season native in tallgrass
prairies. Foliage height 48 inches,
spread 36 inches; flower height to 5 feet or more, depending on cultivar
Foliage: Bright green in straight species, to bluish to
strongly tinted red; blue cultivars generally do not have the good gold or red
fall color typical of species. Flat
blades to ¾ inch wide; medium texture in foliage, medium-fine in flower and
seed
Flowers: Airy, cloudlike, branched panicles held above
foliage. White, silver, or red and blue
appearance that shimmers and sways in wind; July to August
Seedheads: Round, beadlike seeds that last well as cut
material; do not persist outside but the panicle form does
Culture: Full sun; will survive in half-shade, but
becomes floppy and does not flower well.
Tolerates drought once established; does equally well on moist to
periodically inundated soils. Aggressive seed production of species can take
over a prairie mix in a short time; select cultivars to avoid being
overrun. Cut to ground in early spring
Uses: Specimen, screen, backdrop, naturalized
areas, prairies, multi-season interest, cut material.
Companions: tall asters, Helen’s flower, Mexican hat,
coneflowers, liatris, beebalm, fleabane, other grasses
Propagation: Seed or spring division; cultivars by
division only to maintain characteristics of parents
Cultivars: `Dallas Blues’ - Steel blue, huge inflorescences, robust growth rate
to a height of 7 feet in bloom.
Exceptional foliage with blades exceeding 1 inch across
`Cloud
Nine’ - very glaucous, blue foliage,
upright; inflorescence very dense and held above foliage; bright gold fall
color
`Rehbraun’ - burgundy tones in fall foliage. `Haense
Herms’ and `Shenandoah’
are others with burgundy to red fall color, and a fair amount of red during the
summer
`Heavy
Metal’ - most upright blue cultivar, to
5’ and never flops or melts; inflorescences with strong pink tint
`Prairie
Sky’ - bluest of the blues, but also
flops in too much moisture
‘Northwind’ - perfect
vertical column, to a height in seedhead of 60” and a narrow spread to 18
inches.
Fountaingrass
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Poaceae
Form: Vase-shaped warm season clump-former, with
foliage sweeping the ground; height and spread 36 inches
Foliage: Narrow, to ½ inch wide, bright green,
consistent warm gold tones in fall; medium to medium-fine texture; tan and
persistent in winter
Flowers: Spike-like racemes to 6 inches long, like fat
green caterpillars that turn purplish or bronze, on arching stems; August
Seedheads: Similar appearance to flowers, with the color
deepening and then turning tan.
Effective until early winter or as cut material
Culture: Full sun to part shade; loam to clay to sandy
soils and good drainage. May either self-sow into adjacent lawns, becoming a
pest, or unexpectedly die. Leave foliage
intact until early spring to protect crown in exposed locations; cut to ground
at that time. Divide when clumps become
woody in center
Uses: Edger, massing, backdrop, texture, cut
material.
Companions: coneflowers, sedums, chaix mullein, blanket
flower, fall-blooming anemone, Russian sage
Propagation: Seed or spring division
Cultivars: `Hameln’ - smaller and more dense than the species; may be
questionably hardy in very exposed sites
`Little
Bunny’ - very tiny, to 18 inches. May be questionably hardy in exposed sites
Other Species: P. orientale and its cultivars ‘Karley Rose’ and ‘Tall Tales’ fall
into the hardy according to some, annual according to others category. They are absolutely beautiful where they can
be grown.
White-flowered Fountaingrass
Pennisetum caudatum (Pennisetum alopecuroides `Caudatum’)
Poaceae
Form:
Under-used, very uniform mound of foliage to a height and spread of 30 inches;
foliage and form together more upright than P. alopecuroides
Foliage: Blades narrow, bright green, with a refined
and uniform appearance. Tan fall and winter color; medium-fine texture
Flowers: Abundant, white or silver, with individual
flowers arranged in cylindrical racemes that are looser than those of
fountaingrass and slightly smaller, to a length of 4 to 5 inches; June
Seedheads: Iridescent white, persistent until late fall
Culture: Full sun to light shade, tolerant of most
soil types if well-drained; cut to ground in early spring.
Uses: Tall edger, hot spots, texture and movement,
short backdrop, multi-season interest.
Companions: Missouri primrose, catmint, yarrow, feather
reedgrass, blazing star
Propagation: Seed or spring division
This is either mixed up in
the trade, or some sources sell plants from a southern source. The plantings on City Campus have lived for
11 years with little attention.
Ornamental Millet
Pennisetum glaucum
Poaceae
Form: Upright clumps to a height of 48 inches and
spread of 24 to 36 inches.
Foliage: Bold, broad leaves with wavy margins, a
distinct midrib and rough hairs on the blades, especially when rubbed from tip
to stalk, arch widely away from the stalks.
Blades may bo 1 to 3 inches wide and 12 to 24 inches long. Bold texture
Flowers: Stiff, cigar-shaped cylinders of densely
packed flowers appear in July. The
flower stalks may exceed 12 inches in length and 1 to 1 ½ inches in diameter
Seedheads: Very ornamental until the birds take the seed
Culture: Full sun and well drained soils of average
fertility. Ornamental millet is tolerant
of a wide range of conditions, including container media, and is drought
tolerant once established.
Uses: Specimen, backdrop, containers, cut
material.
Companions: coneflowers, hummingbird mint, ornamental
grasses with fine textures, Russian sage
Propagation: Seed, tissue culture
Cultivars: ‘Purple Majesty’ - Dramatic purple foliage and flower
heads.
‘Jester’ - foliage changes
from chartreuse to purple as it ages
‘Purple Baron’
‘Jade Princess’
Hardy Pampas Grass/Ravenna Grass
Saccharum ravennae
Poaceae
Form: Tall, dramatic, narrow upright canes (the genus
includes true sugarcane); basal foliage to 48 inches height and width; height
in flower can exceed 12 feet
Foliage: Green, each leaf 1 inch across, rather
irregularly spaced in clumps. No
appreciable fall or winter color; coarse or bold texture;
Flowers: Huge pinkish-white plumes up to 12 inches
long and 8 inches wide on strong vertical stalks that diverge or split; August
to September
Seedheads: Flowers rapidly turn to silvery seeds, and
the seedheads look like wide, fluffy ostrich plumes. Persistent until snow and ice break the stems
under the weight
Culture: Sun to light shade in most soils, including
compacted ones. Height and weight of flowering stalks may require staking,
especially if supplemental moisture is given; drought tolerant. Clumps become
massive and may develop dead centers; divide in spring (an axe or chain saw
might be needed) and discard dead areas
Uses: Specimen, screen, backdrop, cut material
(best if cut before flowers fully emerge), multi-season interest.
Companions: Other statuesque plants like crambe, joepye
weed, compass plant, tall maidengrasses, false sunflower
Propagation: Division in spring
Other Species: The ‘real’ pampas grass, Cortaderia selloana, is
not hardy in Nebraska, nor is its dwarf selection.
Little Bluestem
Schizachrium scoparium
Poaceae
NATIVE
Form: Important clump-forming warm-season native in
midgrass and shortgrass prairies; upright to somewhat vase-shaped; foliage
height and spread 36 inches.
Foliage: Narrow, thin blue-green, gray-green, or
bright green leaves, less than ¼ inch across, very dense; fall color ranges
from orange to red to gold to tan.
Clumps are persistent through winter; medium-fine texture
Flowers: Racemes at the end of a slender peduncle at
the branching point of the stem; reddish; September
Seedheads: Fluffy, white, curled; beautiful when
backlit. Effective through the winter
months
Culture: Full sun and dry, well-drained soil. Tolerant
of extreme drought, alkaline and acid soils but not of high fertility or
moisture; does fine in average garden soils if well-drained. Do not add supplemental water. Cut back in early winter to discourage
excessive seedling production, or allow seedheads and foliage to stand until
early spring
Uses: Backdrop, specimen, naturalized areas,
prairie, wildflower garden, multi-season interest, cut material.
Companions: sedums, coneflowers, shrub roses, penstemons,
purple poppy mallow, yarrow, catmint, goldenrod
Propagation: Seed or spring division
Cultivars: `Blaze’ - originally developed as a forage plant, with strong
reddish tones in fall and winter
`The Blues’ - Clonal
cultivar, distinctly blue, taller, and tends to flop miserably. Division only
Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
Poaceae
NATIVE
Form: Warm-season clump-former indicating
high-quality tallgrass prairie; broadly upright; foliage height and spread 42
to 48 inches; bloom height to 7 feet
Foliage: Green leaves to ½ inch in width, gold to
orange fall color turning tan with shades of red in winter and persistent;
medium texture
Flowers: Panicles brightly copper-colored, open and
loose in character but closing with age as seeds ripen; 4 to 8 inches long. They shine in the sun due to bright yellow
pollen sacs; August to September
Seedheads: Vaguely cigar-shaped, widening in the center;
copper-tan and showy through most of the winter; good cut material
Culture: Full sun to very light shade. Average moisture but will tolerate drought
once established; often found in roadside ditches in heavy, disturbed
clay. Cut to ground in late winter;
remove seedheads to control seedlings
Uses: Prairie, naturalized areas, specimen,
backdrop, wildflower garden, cut material, multi-season interest. Companions:
butterfly milkweed, joepye weed, coneflowers, goldenrod, Russian sage,
mallow, pitcher sage, sedums
Propagation: Seed (self-sows readily) or spring division
Cultivars: `Sioux Blue’ - very light blue foliage, upright form, yellow fall
color
`Bluebird’ - 3
to 5 feet tall with blue foliage, good yellow fall color
`Holt’ - Nebraska
selection, mostly for forage
‘Llano’
- Supposedly superior to ‘Sioux Blue,’ a better blue-foliaged selection from
New Mexico
Prairie Cordgrass
Spartina pectinata
Poaceae
NATIVE
Form: Wide-spreading, upright to upright arching
plant that spreads aggressively by rhizomes to a height in flower of 72 inches
or more and an indefinite spread
Foliage: Dark green leaves ½ to 5/8 inches wide,
glossy surfaces and smooth edges. Medium
texture
Flowers: Stiffly open terminal panicles, with the side
‘branches’ held almost perpendicular to the main stalk. July to August
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun to very light shade in moist to dry
soil. Prairie cordgrass spreads much
less rapidly in dry conditions. Excellent upright choice for rain gardens. Cut
back in March.
Uses: Conservation plantings, erosion control,
habitat, large pond and wetland areas.
Companions: Swamp milkweed, joe pye weed, switchgrass
Propagation: Division
Cultivars: ‘Aureomarginata’ - yellow to gold variegation on
foliage; ornamental in managed water gardens
Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolis heterolepis
Poaceae
NATIVE
Form: Elegant, warm-season native; mop-headed mound
to a foliage height of 15 to 18 inches
and spread of 24 inches; bloom height to 30 inches.
Foliage: Very fine light green leaves 1/16 inch or
less in width, neatly arranged evenly around the center of the crown; fall
color can be a brilliant orange; winter tan and persistent
Flowers: Open panicles, 2 to 5 inches long on long
slender stalks above foliage in vase-like arrangement; not dense or numerous;
fragrant, with a scent like vanilla. May
take years to bloom; August to September
Seedheads: Delicate, tan, somewhat persistent into early
winter
Culture: Full sun to light shade; average to dry,
well-drained clay, loam or clay-loam soils.
Extremely drought tolerant once established; can be left in place for
decades without needing division or replacement. Cut to ground in late winter
Uses: Border, edger, specimen, textural contrast,
fragrance, cut material, prairie, wildflower garden.
Companions: penstemons, sedum, poppy mallow, Missouri
primrose, short goldenrod cultivars,
butterfly milkweed
Propagation: Seed, but it is difficult to germinate
Giant Sacatoon
Sporobolis wrightii
Poaceae
Form: Strong vase-shaped mound of foliage to a height and spread of 36 inches; bloom height 6 to 7 feet
Foliage: Bright green leaves, 1/2 inch in width
Flowers: Broomlike inflorescence on very long, wandlike stalks; inflorescence 4 to 8 inches in length; June to July
Foliage: Bright green leaves, 1/2 inch in width
Flowers: Broomlike inflorescence on very long, wandlike stalks; inflorescence 4 to 8 inches in length; June to July
Seedheads: Deep chestnut brown, retaining broom
form. Persistent and dramatic
Culture: Full sun; average, well-drained soil. Tolerant of a wide range of soil types,
including sandy and rocky conditions.
Cut to ground in early spring.
The center of the plant may die out after only two or three years;
divide and replant the living sections, spring only.
Uses: Specimen, prairie or natural landscapes,
background.
Companions: false sunflower, coneflowers, goldenrod,
sedums, blazingstar
Propagation: Seed, division
Cultivars: ‘Los Lunas’ - selection is available through High
Country Gardens
