Pennisetum a. ‘Hameln’

Acorus calamus ‘Variegatus’      Great for wetland areas, pond sides or regular garden soil. Foliage similar to large Japanese iris but strongly veriegated, with creamy white bands. Grows to 3ft. tall with minute, greenish flowers. Sweet flag leaves were used as air fresheners in Cononial days. Zone 5.

Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’    4-5ft. tall with a distinct, upright habit. Fluffy, wheat-colored flower plumes are present from June-Sept., undulating gracefully on even the slightest breeze. Clump forming. An excellent specimen plant, also useful in dried arrangements. Zone 3.

Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Overdam’     New foliage has bright yellow margins that fade to white, with a pink flush. Golden flowerheads are carried well the foliage through summer, gently rustling on even the slightest breeze.

Calamagrostis brachytricha (Korean feather reed grass)     A clumping, upright grass with large, relaxed, fox tail-like inflorescences of a distinctive purple-red color upon opening, gradually fading to silver. Completely unlike the flowers of C. ‘Karl Foerster’. Late blooming, usually mid to late September, so late in fact that we’ve usually closed for the season before they unfurl thier gorgeous spikes. Flowers persist into winter and are suitable for both fresh and dry arrangements. Grows 4’ tall and does well in part shade, also in full sun with sufficient moisture. Zone 4.

Carex (Sedge) divulsa ‘Gold Fountain’      A new sedge producing graceful clumps of narrow green leaves edged in gold. 15ins. high.

elata 'Bowles Golden'    Bright gold leaves with narrow green margins, 2-3' tall, moisture loving—great for the edges of ponds and streams. Spectacular combined with the bold blue, green or gold foliage of Hostas. Gold color is most intense in full sun, in which case moist soil is a must.

morrowii ‘Gold Band’(Sedge)   12ins. high, clumping and semi-evergreen, with cream colored bands at the edges of the leaves that are unusually wide, all characteristics that serve to make this selection an excellent groundcover for smaller areas. Its low, refined appearance and well behaved nature demonstrate the considerable, but underutilized, landscape potential of the whole Carex group. Grow in sun with reasonable moisture or in shade with less moisture. Zone 5.

siderosticha 'Variegata'    Green leaves striped with white especially toward the edges. 8ins. tall. Considered one of the most attractive hardy sedges. Clumps expand slowly by rhizomes and make attractive, though modest, ground covers as well as very attractive individual specimens. Part to full shade with moisture.

Chasmanthium latifolium (Sea Oats)      Dark green foliage, 3'-4' high, with an upright form, and showy drooping oat-like spikelets that are excellent in both fresh and dried arrangements. Blooms mid summer. Often referred to by the common name Sea-oat, but this is a misnomer as plants are an inland species, preferring rich, moist soil in full sun where they maintain a solid upright form. In part shade, they get by on less water but form is sacrificed and stems may be more lax. Zone 3.

Chasmanthium latifolium ‘River Mist’     Striking green and whit variegated leaves and even more striking white, flat, oat-like deed heads that dangle like jewels form thin stems in late summer and early fall. Vary adaptable, tolerating light shade, coastal salt water and damp soils. Use as a specimen or planted en masse, in borders, at pond side and in containers. 3’ tall. Will grow in light shade, also full sun where it should be provided with consistent moisture. Zone 5. 

Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila’     A small, fine-textured version of Pampas Grass with foliage 4-6’ high and flowerspikes rising an additional 1-2’ above the foliage for an overall height of 6-7’. Large white, feathery plumes up to 12-18” long appear in late summer. Fall planting is not recommended as this does not allow enough time for plants to establish. Hardiness is usually given as zone 6, though some sources list it as hardy to zone 5. Protection over the first winter is advised.   

Eragrostis trichoides (Sand Love Grass)      4’ erect clusters of dark green, slightly arching foliage above which float large, airy panicles beginning in June and lasting through late summer.  The delicate panicles have an ethereal quality about them and are delightful as fillers in the mixed border, massed for a light, billowy effect, and in containers. Flowers are also excellent for cutting. 4’ tall. Thrives in sun in light, sandy soil. Zone 5.

Festuca (Fescue)    Fescues are outstanding grasses for the border, with their fine texture, neat form, and ornamental foliage colors. They prefer full sun and well drained soil, and particularly resent winter sogginess. Best renewed by division every few years, in the spring.

glauca 'Elijah Blue'    8" sharp blue foliage. One of the best blue fescues. Zone 3.

Hakonechloa macra ‘Albo Striata’    A rare, white-striped form of Japanese forest grass with upright, arching, variegated blades forming a dense, spreading clump, 1-2ft. tall. All the Japanese forest grasses do best in part to full shade, with even moisture. Also, they all look great weeping over the edge of a decorative container . Zone 5.

Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold'     Glimmering solid gold foliage without a speck of green. Unlike the fountainesque H. 'Aureola', 'All Gold' holds its blades in a somewhat upright, spiked fashion, resembling Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate' . 10-12ins. tall and wide. Plant out of afternoon sun in rich, moist but well drained soil. Zone 5. 

Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’    Variegated leaves are yellow with narrow green margins. Reddish pink in fall. Plants have a beautiful, cascading habit with all the leaves arching in the same direction creating a golden waterfall. (picture taken at Tower Hill Botanic Garden).

Hakonechloa macra ‘Beni Kaze’    A stunning cultivar featuring creamy yellow and green variegated leaves that take on cool purplish red tones in the fall. Grows 10-16ins. tall. Zone 5.

Hakonechloa macra ‘Naomi’    A stunning cultivar featuring creamy yellow and green variegated leaves that take on cool purplish red tones in the fall. Grows 10-16ins. tall. Zone 5.

Hakonechloa macra ‘Nicolas’    Solid green, arching blades take on orange and red tones in the Autumn. The colder it is, the more intense the color! 12-16ins. tall. Zone 5.

Imperata koenigii ‘Red Baron’ (Japanese Blood Grass)    1-2ft. blades that are green at the base and striking, blood red from the middle to the top. The foliage becomes redder as the season progresses. Grows best in rich, moist soil, but becomes quite drought tolerant once established.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gold Breeze’     Tall, arching clumps with apple green blades more tightly banded with gold. 6’ tall and earlier blooming than other banded types. Zone 5.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ (Maiden Grass)   To 7' tall in bloom, with late-blooming, reddish flowers, finely-textured green leaves, and a graceful, rounded form. Golden-yellow fall foliage color. Zone 5.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Graziella’ (Silver Grass)    5-7', huge silver-white flowers in Aug., very sturdy. A bit more upright than 'Gracillimus'. Rich copper-red and orange fall foliage. Zone 5.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Huron Sunrise'    The most profusely blooming Miscanthus with full burgundy plumes that sweep the sky and remain standing through winter. Fronds are mid-green with a silver midrib. Zone 4.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Little Kitten’      One of the smallest Miscanthus. Narrow-leaved, very compact and only 3’ tall in flower.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Malepartus’     Robust grower with large flowers that open pink-purple, then turn silver. Blooms August-Sepember.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ (Variegated Maiden Grass)   Gracefully arching, narrow green leaves are neatly outlined in white, giving an overall silvery appearance. Has a very refined and elegant look.  Blooms late with cream colored plumes. 5-6' tall, zone 5.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Nippon’    Gracefully arching, compact mounds of dark green leaves with prominent silver midribs, forming clumps 4-5ft. tall by 2-4ft. wide. Eye-catching, burgundy plumes emerge in mid summer and lighten to cream with age. Foliage turns a nice bronze-red in fall. Similar to M. ‘Gracillimus’ but smaller and earlier blooming. One of the best newer grasses. Zone 5.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'    Yellow bands across 6' green blades, 9' plumes.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Variegatus’      Wide, green and white striped leaves with a silvery glow when seen from a distance. Cascadint habit . Red-tinted plumes become fluffy as they age.

Molina caerulea ssp. caerulea ‘Straghlenquelle’ (Purple Moor Grass)   Compact growing with an overall height of 2-4’. Delicate inflorescences which start out purple and fade to tan are carried high above the green foliage on slender, arching stems, appearing to float in mid air above the foliage. Blooms in mid summer and, as the common name suggests, likes moisture. Full sun. Zone 5.

Ophiopogon Ebony Knight™(Mondo Grass)    Black grass-like fronds form 6in. tall mounds, dense, slow spreading. Lavender flowers make an appearance in summer but, with this plant, it's all about the foliage! Makes a wonderful edger and creates striking contrasts with other shade loving plants. Prefers moist, well-drained soil in full shade. Evergreen in warmer zones. Zone 6.

Panicum amarum ‘Dewey Blue’    A selection of a native dune grass with superb glaucous blue leaves formed into a fountain-like clump, 5ft. high. A large, graceful grass that stays remarkably blue all season. Cream colored, open panicles in late summer. Zone 4.

Panicum virtgatum ‘North Wind’     Very strong, upright-growing clump with wider powder-blue foliage than 'Heavy Metal'. Showy, delicate flower panicles bloom in Aug.-Sept. THE strongest-stemmed Panicum, 6' tall and 5' wide.

Panicum virgatum ‘Prairie Fire’      A tremendous improvement over older red Panicums. Blue-green foliage begins to turn wine-red by early summer. Rosy colored flower panicles appear just above the foliage in late summer. 4-5' tall. Zone 4.

Panicum x ‘Ruby Ribbons’    From the University of Connedticut’s breeding program, this new Panicum develops red foliage of an intensity unrivaled by any other Switch Grass. Color begins showing in late summer and continues to deepen until the entire plant is a brilliant burgundy red. Color is darker than that of P. ‘Shenandoah’ and as deep as the tender Pennisetum rubrum. 4-5ft. tall by 2-3ft. wide. Grow this grass in full sun, in rich to average, evenly moist soil,(established clumps will tolerate dryer soil). Zone 4.

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' (Dwarf Fountain Grass)    20" foliage and 3' arching sprays of near-white bottlebrush-like tassles in mid-summer into fall. Foliage turns golden yellow. Zone 5.

Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Moudry’      A 2-3', later blooming fountain grass with long, dark brown or black inflorescences. Flowers are great in arrangements. Zone 5.

Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Piglet’    A lower growing fountain grass, taller than ‘Little Bunny but shorter than ‘Hameln’ with fine textured foliage topped by fluffy, tan, catail-like plumes in late summer. Only 18” tall. Zone 5.

Pennisetum orientalis ‘Karley Rose’ (Oriental Fountain Grass)     An elegant fountain grass with a uniform, arching habit that erupts into intense, smoky rose-purple flowers in early summer and continues blooming till frost. 40" tall. Zone 5.

Pennisetum setaceum rubrum ‘Fireworks’ New    See under tenders.

Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed)      The most elegant and refined of the native prairie grass with a soft, fountain-like appearance. Vary narrow, thread-like, green leaves turn deep orange in late fall and then fade to golden orange in winter. In mid to late August, delightfully fragrant, pinkish brown flowers appear atop tall, thin, arching stems. The more plants, the stronger the fragrance. Heat and drought tolerant and long-lived, able to exist for many years,(decades), without needing renewal. 2-3’ tall. Blooms in late summer. Zone 3.