GRASSES FOR DRY-MEDIUM SOIL IN FULL SUN
(over-looked these guys on my last post)
Elymus canadensis, Canada Wild Rye
Height: 2-5 ft
Spread: 2-3 ft
I came across the blue-leaved variant of this species (Elymus canadensis var. glaucifolius) with a stand of Viper's Bugloss this past summer. It's a rather unkempt cool season grass that goes to seed by late spring. The seed heads definitely add interest to a meadow planting and are a good option for massing as well, just may not be the best option for a specimen planting in a more formal landscape. Self-seeds when it's happy.
Purchase from: Agrecol, American Meadows, Blazing Star Nursery, Ever Wilde Farms, Ion Exchange Inc., Morning Sky Greenery, Naturally Native Nursery, Ohio Prairie Nursery, Prairie Moon Nursery, Prairie Nursery, Seed Balls, Shooting Star Nursery
Stipa capillata, Needle Grass
Height: 2-3 ft
Spread: 2-3 ft
After seeing too many luscious images of Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass) and knowing full well it will probably never grow well (or at all) in the northeast I thought it was at least worth mentioning it's cousin from the steppes and slopes in Europe and Asia. A little coarser and larger in all aspects than S. tenuissima, but possesses the same silky gossamer like threads that make its counterpart so appealing. Given its range and distribution hopefully a little more cold hardy and a bit more tolerant of cooler temperatures.
GRASSES FOR DRY-MODERATE MOISTURE, AVERAGE SOILS, FULL-PART SUN
Briza media, Quaking Grass
Height: 2-3 ft
Spread: 1-1.5 ft
Soooo this guy is native to the UK, so if I had to guess not a great performer for us on the east coast. Again probably one of those plants that, because its so prevalent in Europe, infiltrates the literature here. But, if your looking for an informal grass with a kick-ass texture and live at a high altitude where summer heat and humidity aren't a problem feel free to give this grass a try.
Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster,' Feather Reed Grass
Height: 3-5 ft
Spread: 1.5-2 ft
One of the few non-native grasses that I have a hard time complaining about. It's a hybrid (C. brachytricha x C. epigejos in case anyone cares), and as far as I can discern from the literature and observation, sterile. Durable, but not overly aggressive. Clumper. Tolerates clay and part shade, and less than ideal drainage and always seems to look good regardless of situation. More refined and as far as I'm concerned a much superior alternative to Miscanthus.
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Deschampsia cespitosa and Deschampsia flexuosa, Wavy Hairgrass
Height: 1-1.5 ft
Spread: 1-1.5 ft
While very similar in appearance the main difference between these two species is range and distribution, which ultimately translates into heat tolerance. D. cespitosa has a more widely distributed and westerly range (and thus more heat tolerant, according to some sources zone 9) while D. flexuosa has almost an exclusively northeasterly one (and won't perform well south of zone 7). While I have yet to come across this grass in the landscape it is, at least according to the literature, and excellent cool season grass for dry semi-shade (will supposedly tolerate full shade but flowering will be greatly if not completely reduced).
Purchase from: Colonial Seed Company, Shooting Star Nursery, Toadshade Wildflower Farm
UPDATE (01-06-2015) - As usual I got into trouble for making final and broad generalizations about a species based on a few localized observations and a couple of offhand articles. As it turns out soon after making my declaration that D. flexuosa needed full sun to prosper, on my next trip to Cape Cod, I noticed D. flexuosa was a large component of the herbaceous understory, albeit much less floriferous than those individuals in full sun, but a main component nonetheless. So, while leaning on the side of observation rather than declaration, it appears that this grass will persist just fine with a considerable amount of shade, but flowering will be reduced. However, despite being tolerant of varying light conditions, given the common thread that links together all its natural habitat (almost pure sand), I would imagine the one thing this grass demands is well drained sandy soils. So if you got a bounty of clay, probs not the grass for you.:(
Elymus hystrix (syn. Hystrix patula), Eastern Bottlebrush Grass
Height: 2.5-3 ft
Spread: 1-1.5 ft
Perfect native grass for that trouble spot thats dry and semi-shaded (but not fully shaded). Might not be the greatest choice for a specimen, but certainly a great candidate for massing. Unfortunately, it's a cool season grass, so all bets are off when the summer heat rolls around. My guess is that as far as growth pattern and usefulness its very similar to Elymus canadensis, just more shade tolerant. Hopefully (given that I have yet to grown this plant myself) the seed heads maintain most of their integrity throughout the summer.
Purchase from: Agrecol, American Meadows, Blazing Star Nursery, Everwilde Farms, Ion Exchange Inc., Morning Sky Greenery, Naturally Native Nursery, Ohio Prairie Nursery, Prairie Moon Nursery, Prairie Nursery, Shooting Star Nursery, Toadshade Wildflower Farm
Molinia caerulea, Purple Moor Grass
Height: 2-2.5 ft
Spread: 2 ft
This grass seems to be everywhere in the literature, but still have yet to see a plant in the northeast. Have a feeling this is another one of those plants that does great over in maritime Europe where its native and because of its prevalence over there has infiltrated the literature over here, even though it might not perform well. But then again, maybe I just haven't been looking in the right places.
Pennisetum orientale, Pink Fountain Grass
Height: 2-3 ft
Spread: 2-3 ft
Medium to large. Have yet to grow this plant myself but seems to be an overall garden performer. Looks great in all the situations I've seen so long as the conditions are not to extreme. Not to wet, not to dry, well drained soil, moderate fertility, but definitely likes full sun. Way too many different cultivars.
Pennisetum alopecuroides, Fountain Grass
Height: 2.5-5 ft
Spread: 2.5-5 ft
A less regal, and a bit more drab version of P. orientale. While the straight species is actually larger than P. orientale, there are many compact and dwarf version that are quite popular in the trade.
Miscanthus sinensis, Maiden Grass
Height: 5-8 ft
Spread: 4-6 ft
Its hard to turn around in the northeast without bumping into this plant. Parking lots, parks, and gardens; its versatility, strongly clumping tendency, and nearly year round ornamental value make this grass hard to beat. While it has been reported as invasive (and its easy to believe given how easily it adapts to nearly every situation I have seen it in), I have yet to see a stray seedling or plant expand beyond the original area it was planted
Sesleria autumnalis, Autumn Moor Grass
Height: .75-1 ft
Spread: .5-1 ft
Again, here's a pretty good example of a grass that, while maybe great in the maritime Europe and pretty prevelant in the literature, will probably never make it here in the US. But if heat and humidity aren't a problem for you (for those who live at high altitudes) you may wanna check out this grass. Supposedly very durable, drought tolerant and great for trouble areas, but aside from flowering in autumn this is more of a "filler" plant. Good for informal areas and massing.
Sesleria caerulea, Blue Moor Grass
Height: .5-1 ft
Spread: .75-1 ft
A blueish, less drought tolerant, slightly more compact version of the previous plant. Again, as with the previous plant probably neither heat or humidity tolerant and will only do well in high altitude areas.
MODERATE-WET, AVERAGE-HEAVY SOILS, FULL SUN
Andropogon glomeratus, Bushy Bluestem
Height: 3-5 ft
Spread: 2-3 ft
Little Bluestem's little know moisture-loving cousin. I first encountered this plant when on a site visit at Martha's Vineyard at the edge of a interdunal pond along with Vaccinium macrocarpum, Iris prismatica, and Juncus effussus. In addition to the cool fluffy seed heads that are a bit reminiscent of Miscanthus, it holds up pretty well through the winter, and even takes on warm reddish tones with the cold weather. While I can't speak to its summer character, its winter interest alone is reason enough to grow this plant. A great plant for a sunny spot that too wet for other ornamental grasses.
Purchase from: Colonial Seed Company, Shooting Star Nursery
Calamagrostis brachytricha (C. arundinacea var. brachytricha), Reed Grass
Height: 3-4 ft
Spread: 2-3 ft
This plant is a bit of an enigma to me, given all of the images I've seen have been quite seductive, and based on what I've read should do really well here in the Northeast (even does well in clay supposedly), but I haven't come across it at any nursery or garden for that matter. If you happen to bump into it while perusing some mail order catalogue or while running down the deep deep rabbit hole that is the internet, it looks like a great pick for medium to wet soils, full sun to light shade.
Tripsacum dactyloides, Eastern Gamagrass
Height: 4-8 ft
Spread: 4-6 ft
If your looking for a native, adaptable, and bold alternative to Miscanthus, this grass definitely fits the bill. Almost tropical looking with its big imposing clumps, and in case bold foliage alone isn't enough of a selling point the interesting seed heads resemble its distant relative (corn) and definitely help to lighten up the big mass of foliage below. As an added bonus it takes part shade and occasional standing water. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like it holds up very well past fall. Oh well, you can only ask for so much.
Purchase from: Etsy, Prairie Moon Nursery, Shooting Star Nursery
MODERATE-MOIST, LIGHT-AVERAGE SOILS, PART SHADE
Chasmanthium latifolium (syn. Uniola latifolia), Northern Sea Oats
Height: 2-5 ft
Spread: 1-2.5 ft
No ornamental grass list would be complete without this plant. My favorite of favorites (even if were just talking plants in general). Native, adaptable, graceful, and perfect for the northeast. Always looks great and begs to be touched. In its initial growth stages it looks very similar in form and coarsness to Spodiopogon sibiricus (see below) and even has that bamboo-like quality about it, but its distinguishing and key feature is the gently arching seed heads that sway and bob in even the slightest of breezes.
Puchase: Agrecol, American Meadows, Everwilde Farms, Ion Exchange Inc., Prairie Moon Nursery, Prairie Nursery, Shooting Star Nursery, Toadshade Wildflower Farm
Diarrhena americana, American Beakgrain
Height: 2-3 ft
Spread: 2-3 ft
I included this native mainly out of curiosity cause I had never heard of it prior to stumbling across it on the Missouri Botanic Garden's database. Doesn't seem to be much on it, but, from what I had gathered, it does seem to have significant value as both a restoration and forage species. In addition, its rhizomatous habit gives it great potential as a large, course ground cover for shady, not too dry woodlandish areas. As far as its ornamental value the verdict is still out. In some images the leaves look as glossy and green as a liriope (even the character looks rather similar) and in others it looks downright weedy. If I had to guess the habit is a function of environment. In the shade it persists as a glossy basal rosette, until it gets just enough sun that allows the plant to gather enough energy to bolt and set seed.
Purchase from: Agrecol, Prairie Moon Nursery, Shooting Star Nursery
Hakonechloa macra, Japanese Forest Grass
Height: 1-1.5 ft
Spacing: 1-2 ft
This is probably one of the most popular grasses for shade, and for good reason. While it pains me to admit it, texturally is hard to beat (native or not). Its layered arching blades that gently bend away from the center of the plant (usually asymmetrically) and bob in the breeze lend it a graceful airyness thats hard to find elsewhere. However, like many refined woodland perennials it does not tolerate extremes. Moderate light and moderate moisture suit it best and it will suffer at either end of the spectrum.
Spodiopogon sibiricus, Frost Grass
Height: 3-5 ft
Spread: 1.5-2 ft
This is another one I know zero about, but the pictures I've seen look too damn awesome not to give it a shout out. Reminds me a bit of Deer Tongue Grass before it gets gangly and transitions into its weedy stage. Has a very bambooish quality about it and the way its leaves are arranged and held nearly perpendicular to the stem give it a bold architectural quality that really makes a statement. But just when it seems like its getting a little to coarse its light airy plumes rise a good 1.5 ft above the mass of foliage to keep the plant from getting too heavy.
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