This week on the Horti-Culturalists we take a look at some of the wonderful decorative grasses Stephen has used in his garden, plus look at two he saw on a recent trip to New Zealand that sparked some grass lust! Important to remember grass species can become weedy if your environment is very similar to the native environment of the grass so Stephen chooses grasses that all need more moisture than is naturally available in his area, or that are not that hardy; this prevents seedlings ever getting a foot hold. Also sterile hybrids are obviously great in this regard too. But ultimately seek advice in your area – there will be grasses that can work for you that won’t become weedy!
The plants we cover in this video are:
Miscanthus x giganteus
Anemanthele lessoniana (Stipa arundinacea)
Cortaderia toetoe – the New Zealand pampas grass
Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’
Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ – black mondo grass – which isn’t a grass!
Setaria palmifolia – palmgrass
Chionochloa flavicans
And if you want to see our Miscanthus giganteus ‘Duluxii’ video you can here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZkpxoMVzNY&t=1s
9 Comments
Do you ever cut the painted stems? I'm wondering how long they last. And what color to paint my future ones 🤪
I always enjoy your programs! What was the name of the billowy plant to the right of the Karl Forrester grass? Thank you!
Palm grass (Setaria palmifolia) seems to be growing happily outside in the southern UK and is overwintering ok
💞🎄✨Thanks for sharing. I’m enjoying the forms and varieties of the grasses and non grasses. I particularly like the
Snowy tussock/Chionochloa Flavicans, hopefully I’ve not butchered the spelling! 💚
Stephen, I grow miscanthus for mulch and finally it’s tall enough to harvest after 3 years. What is the best time to cut it and not set it back? Thank you
I love your Duluxii a quick question would you cut back a Lomandra or just tidy up as suggested with evergreen grasses?
Speaking of overuse – Karl Forrester has been overused everywhere in my central US, and I think you didn't do it justice since the main reason for the popularity is the uprightness with the seedhead that look like wheat. I do know that it is only 4/5 hardy despite claiming to be usda zone 4, as I have lost a set, possibly from cold, wetness, and/or grubs . I do note that the row in front of my work has a bit of spottiness, and I wonder if that is due to sidewalk salt.
My 3-4 favs in my garden is the Japan blood grass Red Baron, Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition,' and blue fescue 'Boulder Blue,' Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold' ['Aureola' is better but it was a sale].
I didn't know it was so hard to get another plant of variegated giant reed (Arundo donax variegata) or else I would have taken a bit to overwinter. Maybe I will finally be lucky this spring.
Love your programmes. Please leave the names on for longer, as I can’t write them down that quickly.