Warming Up to Warm-Season Grasses

Known for their structure, seed heads and graceful movement, ornamental grasses can and should be an integral part of your garden. When planted en masse, they provide a continuity of color when placed amongst broad-leaved plants. Warm-season grasses are those that flower mid-to-late summer, then turn quickly to seeds that can last for several weeks or even months. The prominent seed heads are typically earth toned and are the focal point for grasses. Many varieties are moderately drought tolerant and easy to cultivate as long as they are planted in full sun. 

There are dozens of varieties of Miscanthus sinensis and they are known by many names: Maiden grass, Plume grass, Silver Grass and Zebra Grass. The variety ‘Cosmopolitan’ has beautiful white, variegated leaves and grows to almost 8’ tall! Another variety, ‘Zebrinus’, has spotted variegation on its leaves, making it a real standout. It can even withstand heavy winter snowfalls.

Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium), is a pretty woodland grass with pinkish seed heads that can be used as cut flowers. This grass grows over 4’ tall and blooms from June-October. 

Finally, a most interesting grass is the Japanese Blood Grass, Imperata cylindricaI ‘Rubra’. Cultivated for its compact size (grows only 12”-18”) and foliage, its burgundy color bleeds down the leaves. This is an excellent grass for container plantings and in addition, is known to be deer resistant.

No garden is complete without the long, elegant look that many ornamental grasses provide.