This grass is always 'greener'

Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’

Kate Terrell of Wallace's Garden Center in Iowa, put this variety on her list of favorites because it’s got “great texture and color, clumping and is very cold hardy.” Tim Bate, nursery manager at Skillin's Greenhouses, which has three locations in Maine, is also a fan. “Another cool season grass, blue fescues provide beautiful color all season long, and their size allows them to be incorporated into almost any garden design,” Bate says. Zones 4-7

Photo courtesy of ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Yaku Jima’

‘Yaku Jima’ is an eye-catching variety that’s popular at Moana Nursery, according to Matt Pulliam, green goods general manager at Moana Nursery in Reno, Nevada. Zones 5-9

Photo credit Matt Pulliam
 

Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’

This grass was a crowd favorite, with several readers listing it. “Although many would consider this an ‘oldie’, it is one of my all-time favorite grasses and I think of it as a ‘goodie,’ Crystal Cady of Sunflower Acres Farm & Garden in Salem, Oregon, says. “‘Hameln’ has an exceptional compact habit that fits well as a solo plant amongst other garden friends or looks great grouped in odd numbers. There is no denying the attractiveness of the fluffy pinkish-white flower spikes that appear late summer and rock all the way through fall! This grass also plays very well with others in container combos.”

“This variety is light and airy,” says Lewis Carver, at DeWayne’s in Selma, North Carolina. “Its feathery flower spikes bloom from mid-summer to fall, and it thrives with little care. It’s a very attractive variety even when it’s dormant in the winter.” Zones 5-9

'Hameln' container photo courtesy of Crystal Cady; 'Hameln' photo courtesy of Matt Pulliam
 

Calamagrostis acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’

Matt Pulliam and Kate Terrell both think that this grass has a lot to offer. It’s “nice and cold hardy, comes up early in spring, blooms most of summer, and gets tall but stays skinny,” says Terrell. Tim Bate, nursery manager at Skillin’s Greenhouses, which has three locations in Maine, also listed this one as a top 3 pick for customers. “Cool season grasses like this one are great for gardens in the northeast,” he says. “It begins growth quickly and flowers by early summer, providing garden interest for our entire growing season.” Zones 4-7

Photo courtesy of Kate Terrell
 

Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’

Lewis Carver at DeWayne’s likes the versatility and coloring of this purple fountain grass. “The stunning purple/burgundy foliage and striking flower spikes grass grow to 3 feet tall and wide,” he says. “It’s a great filler for containers, adding dramatic color mid-summer through fall, and is typically inexpensive, providing a lot of bang for your landscaping buck.” Zones 9-10

Photo courtesy of Lewis Carver
 

Hakonechloa macra

Crystal Cady is a big fan of these grass varieties. “[This is] one of the most underused and underappreciated grasses that delivers a stunning performance in the garden all season long,” Cady says. “I love this grass because it is fabulous in borders and mixed plantings, can tolerate shade and has great fall color. Most varieties actually do quite well in both part shade and nearly full sun.” She sent us this shot of Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ from Terra Nova. Zones 4-7

Photo courtesy of Crystal Cady
 

Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ and Ruby Ribbons

Sandi Hillermann McDonald, owner of Hillermann Nursery & Florist in Washington, Missouri, enjoys these two varieties of switchgrass. Tim Bate says that Ruby Ribbons in particular is popular among customers. “Many of our gardeners like to include plants that contribute to wildlife habit,” he says. “[Ruby Ribbons] not only brings rich burgundy color to the late summer garden, but also attractive seed heads favored by small birds.” Zones 4-9

Photos courtesy of Sandi Hillermann McDonald

Hear more about ornamental grass trends from Hoffman Nursery manager Scott Epps in the “Ornamental Grasses” podcast in the Retailer Radio Network podcast station on iTunes.