Ornamental grasses are the perfect autumn plant
They come in many colors and sizes, so they are perfect whether you have a big yard or tiny container.
News 12 is live at the Ryder Cup all week long. In this week’s Garden Guide, I wanted to give a behind-the-scenes look at the plants I selected, specifically ornamental grasses. These aren’t your perfectly manicured greens on the course. These are flowy, fantastic foliage centerpieces that come in beautiful colors.
We visited Hicks Nurseries in Westbury, New York where ornamental grasses are their “Plant of the Month” and they have so many to choose from.
There are so many native species that are great for wildlife and for erosion control, so we focused on these for our Ryder Cup set. All the plants featured below are native to our area. We spoke with Angela Hitsous, who is an expert in perennials, and came up with this wonderful selection:
Grasses
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Max height: 3–6 feet
Excellent for erosion control and winter interest; tall, airy plumes add texture.
Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Max height: 4–8 feet
Gorgeous colors, particularly in autumn. Has a giant plume in September and October!
Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Max height: 2–4 feet
Stunning fall color (reds/oranges) and drought-tolerant. Stays smaller.
Flowers
Celosia – annual (Celosia argentea)
Max height: 1–3 feet
Bold flower heads that look like a coral reef! Not freeze tolerant .
Asters (Symphyotrichum)
Blooms September to November and is a great native replacement for mums. They are perennials and return effortlessly each year.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Cheerful, golden blooms that thrive in tough conditions and attract butterflies. A great combination to go with coneflowers (echinacea).
All the plants in the video were found at Hicks Nurseries. In addition to a large selection of plants , experts there will help you select the best for your needs and can also style containers and landscapes for you.
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