Info needed on ornamental grasses

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
greenwood46 Milwaukee, WI Sep 02, 2013

Can anyone give me the name of a varity of
ornamental grass that doesn't grow higher
than 2 or 3 ft tall. need to know for next years
planting. thanks

Post #9648774
Quote
ViburnumValley Scott County, KY(Zone 5b) Sep 02, 2013

**Pennisetum alopecuroides - Fountain Grass

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=pennisetum&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=alopecuroides&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&searcher%5Bgrex%5D=&search_prefs%5Bblank_cultivar%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=genus&images_prefs=both&Search=Search

**Sporobolus heterolepis - Prairie Dropseed

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=sporobolus&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=heterolepis&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&searcher%5Bgrex%5D=&search_prefs%5Bblank_cultivar%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=genus&images_prefs=both&Search=Search

Many of the Muehlenbergia sp. and (not technically a grass, but sedge) Carex sp. will meet your height limitation requirements.

Post #9648925
Quote
Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Sep 02, 2013

Check the many varieties of each species.
There are dwarfs like Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny', and some others that are smaller than the original species. (Hamelin, and a few others).

Many MIscanthus get too big, but there are a few dwarfs. Yaku Jima grows a leaf mass to about 3', though the flowers stand taller.

Helictotrichon sempervirens is a very blue ornamental grass. OK with average garden water or somewhat less.

Imperata cylindrica stays small, but IME is invasive. Prefers a damp location.

Some of the Eragrostis also stay in that range. There are some really nice weeping grasses, if you are growing them in a container, or at the top of a retaining wall.

Many Carex are indeed really nice, so definitely look into what grows in your area.

Post #9649226
Quote
WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Sep 06, 2013

I think Diana has done you proud with selecting some nice grasses, AND please make sure you read up on your final choice as there are many grasses that are so invasive that they can after a couple of years take over the whole garden and kill off the other more attractive ones,
I would nip along to your book store and pick out a few books on garden borders for grasses, there are several of these books with lovely coloured pictures and the names of the plants within the picture so take a note pad with you and sit down with a coffee IF the book store has these facilities,
Books are very expensive so don't buy unless you really need the book and make sure it's written in plane English and not gobledygoup the average gardener needs a degree to understand, I hate those silly books AND with fewer pictures they cost the earth, MY opinion ofcource !!!! LOL.

You may have to amend your soil /bed to take these grasses as some like poorer soil while others like a little added nutrients so write down any info you can while reading the books in the store,
Also go to the garden centre once you decide on your selection and set them out on the pathway as a group so you can work out what colours and hight / spread will work for you at home.
Good luck. lets see the results when the job is done.
Best regards. WeeNel.

Post #9652155
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP