It’s Glory time for Grass

You probably won’t hear those who have to mow a lawn every week raving about its virtues either. However there is a specific type of grass that’s earned a place of pride on many properties. It’s even referred to as a ‘man’s perennial’ because this is one grass that males can just sit back and watch grow (after the initial Spring shearing).

Many ornamental grasses come into their own this time of year, turning beautiful shades of tawny brown and ivory, topped with fluffy, decorative seedheads. They bend and sway in the late fall landscape, providing interest and graceful movement.

This year I added several new cultivars to my perennial bed - my favorite being Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’. The beautiful fine texture of its foliage and the “lightness� of this grass immediately caught my attention when I saw it at a nursery this summer. A narrow band of white on the leaf margins causes them to appear silver from a distance and I’m expecting this plant to make quite an impact when it reaches its mature height of five or six feet. The flowers emerge a reddish-bronze color and dry to a fluffy cream.

Other ornamental grasses worthy of soil space in your garden include:

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Silberfeder’ , also known as Silver Feather Maiden Grass. This graceful, delicate grass has large, showy flower heads that seem to shimmer when hit by back lighting. Most Miscanthus like moist conditions, but are adaptable. Also try: ‘Arabesque’, ‘Autumn Light’, and ‘Cabaret’.

Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’) has a wheat-like look that makes it one of the showiest and most popular grasses. The upright clumps add a vertical accent to landscapes. Straight, greenish flower spikes form in May, turn golden, then bleach tan and persist into the winter.

Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’ (Red Baron) Japanese blood grass has red and green foliage that turns maroon in fall.

Arrhenatherum elatius bulbosum 'Variegatum', has impressed me for many years with its neat, clump-forming habit and white-striped tufts of foliage.

Pennisetum orientale 'Karley Rose'grows into a stunning 30 inch x 5 foot clump. It is later than most grasses to emerge in spring, but when it does it progresses rapidly. By early June smokey rose plumes are produced. They keep their beautiful color and continue to multiply until the first frost. Heavy rain may beat it down, but in a few hours it springs right back up.

This week’s Community in Bloom tips are: Talking trash is okay! Remind friends, family, kids and colleagues NOT to litter.

Everybody needs a “pick-me-up. Pledge to pick up one piece of litter a day.