Ornamental Grass Display Garden Hancock Research Center

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Britton Patterson
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Ornamental Grass Display Garden Hancock Research Center Dr. Art Cameron Department of Horticulture The ornamental grass display garden was first established in the spring of 1995.

1 Ornamental Grass Display Garden Hancock Research Center Dr. Art Cameron Department of Horticulture The ornamental grass display garden was first established in the spring of The majority of the plants were obtained as 3" container-grown divisions. Ornamental grasses often take a year or two to fill into their locations even when started from larger (e.g. gallon-sized) plants. Thus, the small size of the starting material will even further lengthen the time to maturity for the garden. Nonetheless, a number of the grasses have started to fill out nicely by the middle of the summer of The winter of was particularly hard for herbaceous perennials since there were extended periods when there was no snow cover yet temperatures fell well below zero. In combination with the high exposure of the site and small starting material, the cold temperatures killed a number of grasses that normally are considered quite hardly in Michigan, namely Miscanthus sinensis zebrinus (Zebra Grass), Miscanthus sinensis gracillimus (Japanese Silver Grass) and Miscanthus sinensis purpurascens. Most but not all individuals of these species were lost. We also suffered losses of Pennisetum alopecuroides (Fountain Grass), which has a tendency to be marginally hardly in Michigan. We replanted several of the grasses in the early summer of Following is a list of the Ornamental grasses and a few notes on performance for the past two seasons. Brief descriptions of the grasses are given on the next pages. Miscanthus sinensis zebrinus Zebra Grass Zebra Grass usually establishes over a two to three year period and is considered very hardy. However, we lost several plants the first winter and replacements were necessary. Miscanthus sinensis gracillimus Japanese Silver Grass Gracillimus is very hardy but almost all the small plants were lost this last winter at the Hancock center. At the display gardens on campus, we didn't lose even one plant. Perhaps the high wind exposure was the culprit Miscanthus sinensis variegatus Variegated Japanese Silver Grass Most of these plants started slow but are establishing well by the middle of the second summer. Normally, variegated Miscanthus develops into full size over a two to three year period. The specimens in the display garden may take an extra year since they were pretty small when planted. The variegated Miscanthus looks very nice next to Black-eyed Susan. On campus, we have it planted next to Joe-Pye Weed (about 8 feet tall native plant that blooms in August). Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light' Morning Light Silver Grass The Morning Light has been quite slow to get started. Most survived the first winter and are just now starting to take off. This grass has narrow, variegated foliage and makes a very graceful focal point for a display garden. Miscanthus sinensis 'Sarabande' Sarabande Silver Grass This Miscanthus survived the first winter and has finally started to take off this summer. Should be a fine specimen by next year. The fine-textured foliage is particularly attractive. Some consider this to be the finest Miscanthus available.

2 Miscanthus sinensis 'Silberfeder' Silberfeder Silver Grass A somewhat coarse form of Miscanthus, Sarabande has established quite quickly. This grass really shows off when it goes into flower in late August/September. The flower heads will be 8-12 feet tall, silver and very showy in the sunlight. Miscanthus sinensis purpurascens Purple-leafed Silver Grass The small starting material has been a challenge! Many died this last winter and the rest were very slow. Some larger divisions were planted this spring and they have really taken off well. This plant shows off in the fall. Calamagrostis acutifolia 'Karl Foerster' Feather Reed Grass This plant will obviously take a couple seasons to establish from the small starting material. However, once established, this is one of the best of the ornamental grasses. It blooms in July and holds the flower heads right through the winter. Pennisetum alopecuroides Fountain Grass Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' Dwarf Fountain Grass Both the dwarf and regular Fountain Grasses had a rough winter. Most were replaced early this summer and are just beginning to fill in. They are a very graceful grass when in flower. Molirna caerulea arundinacea 'Skyracer' Tall Purple Moor Grass One specimen was planted this year in early summer. It suffered a bit when not watered during an extended period without rain. It should be able to withstand water stress once established. This tall, airy grass should still look good by next year. Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal* Switch Grass One specimen was planted this year in early summer. It suffered a bit when not watered during an extended period without rain. It should be able to withstand water stress once established. Phalaris arundinacea picta Ribbon Grass This grass can be a bit of a weed since it spreads by underground runners. I will say it looks great this summer! Very good for a shady area since it is a bright, aggressive plant Festuca ovina glauca 'Elijah Blue* Blue Fescue Blue Fescues have a hard time competing with weeds as a rule in Mid-Michigan. They need very good drainage and a broad-leaf herbicide. Tlie Blue fescue in the Display Garden is doing ok this summer.

3 Herbaceous Perennials Planted in the Display Garden Several herbaceous perennials were planted amongst the ornamental grasses to give you an idea of some combinations that might be worth consideration. Genus, species, cultivar Achillea 'Anthea' Aster 'Purple Dome' Campanula carpatica 'Blue Clips' Coreopsis 'Sunray Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' Perovskia atriplicifolia Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Filigran' Physostegia virginiana Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' Salvia superba 'Blue Queen' Sedum 'Autumn Joy' Veronica 'Red Fox' Common Name Anthea Yarrow Purple Dome Aster Campanula Tickseed Moonbeam Coreopsis Lavender Russian Sage Filigran Russian Sage Obedient Plant Black-eyed Susan Blue Queen Salvia Autumn Joy Sedum Red Fox Veronica

4 Art's "Big Ten" Ornamental Grasses Dr. Art Cameron Department of Horticulture 1. Miscanthus sinensis zebrinus Zebra Grass 6-8 feet Miscanthus sinensis strictus Porcupine Grass 6-8 feet These grasses have horizontal stripes and are excellent as specimen plants. They should be planted in masses - perhaps as an 8-10' circle for an entry way or other visible site. Very low maintenance so also will work for the back 40. Bold specimens. Looks great in winter. 2. Miscanthus sinensis gracillimus Maiden Grass 5-8 feet M. sinensis 'Sarabande' Sarabande 5-8 feet These grasses are known for their fine textured leaves. They are excellent for massing - particularly in rows or arcs to accentuate the effect of the texture. Looks great in flower and in winter. 3. Miscanthus sinensis variegatus Variegated Japanese Silver Grass 5-7 feet also M. sinensis 'Morning Light* Silver Variegated Silver Grass 4-5 feet These grasses have stripes running up the leaves. The Variegated form has wider leaves; Morning Light has thin leaves. Both are interesting as specimen plants. Bloom late with dark inflorescence. 4Miscanthus sinensis purpurascens Purple Maiden Grass 3-5 feet Nice purple colored foliage. Particularly good looking when it comes into bloom in July-August Looks great as specimen or when massed. Interesting into winter. 5.Calamagrostis acutifolia 'Karl Foerster' Feather Reed Grass 5-6 feet Upright grass with early flowers (July) that looks excellent all summer and all winter. Very versatile. Not as tall as Miscanthus species. Needs very little care - easy to divided. Great plant! 6.Pennisetum alopecuroides Fountain Grass 3-4 feet also P. alopecuroides 'Hameln' Dwarf Fountain Grass 1-2 feet Both of these fountain grasses are indispensable in garden settings. They compliment colorful annuals while giving a pleasing texture. They bloom in August and the blooms are very attractive. IDeschampsia caespitosa 'Goldstaub' Tufted Hair Grass 2-3 feet Early blooming short grass. Grown more for foliage and as a backdrop for more colorful annuals or perennials. Very interesting foliage - definitely a showstopper in the MSU display gardens. 8. Erianthus ravennae Ravenna Grass 9-12 feet If you want size, this is the grass to grow. Tops 12 feet when in bloom and carries well into the winter. As close to Pampus Grass as we'll come up here in Michigan. Blooms are very showy in late summer. 9. Molinia caerulea arundinacea 'Skyracer' Tall Purple Moor Grass 7-8 feet This is a great specimen throwing up big, airy flower heads over dramatic foliage. Not necessarily a specimen but combines well with other perennials. The straight species M. caerulea tend to be shorter. \0.Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' Switch Grass 4-5 feet also P. Virgatum 'Rotstrahlbusch' Red Switch Grass 3-4 feet Both of these cultivars are great garden performers. The foliage is interesting; metallic-blue for Heavy Metal and red for Rotstrahlbusch'. The airy flowers come relatively early and are very showy.

5 Shade Tolerant Ornamental Grasses Most ornamental grasses are best in full sun. The following can tolerate some shade but most still have best performance in full sun: Calamagrostis acutifolia - looks nice against dark backgrounds Deschampsia caespitosa Miscanthus sinensis purpurascens - ok for shade but not as effective as in sun Phalaris arundinacea - Ribbon Grass - spreads by underground runners. Good for dry, shady or other difficult site. Moisture Tolerant Ornamental Grasses Most ornamental grasses perform good drainage, even when grown close to water for the special effect The following can tolerate some flooding, although none will perform best in this environment: Arundo donax - Giant Reed Grass Calamagrostis acutifolia Miscanthus species but esp. Miscanthus sacchariflorus - this species spreads by underground runners so be careful. Panicum virgatum Phalaris arundinacea - Ribbon Grass - spreads by underground runners, aggressive. Spartina pectinata - Marsh Grass - well-adaapted to wet sites. June Calamagrostis acutifolia Deschampsia caespitosa Molinia caerulea Pennisetum setaceum July Flowering Times Panicum virgatum Pennisetum alopecuroides August Miscanthus sinensis purpurascens Miscanthus sinensis 'Silberfeder L _. September Erianthus ravennae Miscanthus sinensis stricta Miscanthus sinensis zebrinus October Miscanthus sinensis gracillimus

6 Sources for Ornamental Grasses Local nurseries are stocking more grasses - be sure and obtain named cultivars when possible. The following are a few retail and commercial nurseries that stock ornamental grasses. Kurt Blumel Inc. Nurseries 2740 Greene Lane Baldwin, MD Greenleaf Ent., Inc. 17 W. Main Street Leola, PA Limerock Ornamental Grasses RD 1 Box 111-C Port Matilda, PA Bordine's Better Blooms 1835 S. Rochester Rochester Hills, MI

Carex SEDGES Sedges are grass-like plants that typically grow in shallow water or moist soil. They have rhizomes and triangular stems.

Carex SEDGES Sedges are grass-like plants that typically grow in shallow water or moist soil. They have rhizomes and triangular stems. Avalanche Eldorado Calamagrostis FEATHER REED GRASS A group of mainly cool season grasses that grow most vigorously in cooler months. They plume earlier than other grasses. x acutiflora Avalanche Wide