Feather Reed Grass

The genus Calamagrostis includes perennial and annual grasses from Africa and Europe. A few species are used ornamentally. They form upright clumps and bloom in spring and early summer.

Description: Feather reed grass grows into a strong upright clump reaching 5 feet in height. The dull green leaves are 2 feet long and arch slightly. In late spring, flower stalks rise 2 to 3 feet above the foliage. The 12-inch long flower head is purplish in spring, turning to buff-colored seed heads in the fall. Use feather reed grass as a screen or as a vertical accent. The plant id well suited to wet soils around pools and streams. It is a cool season grass that keeps it interest from spring into fall.

How to grow: Grow feather reed grass in full sun with moist, fertile soil. It tolerates poorly drained wet soils, such as at the edge of a pond and, once established, it will tolerate drought.

Propagation: Feather reed grass is a hybred that is propagated by division in ealy fall or early spring.

Fountain Grass

A few of the many species of Pennisetum are grown ornamentally. The genus includes annuals and perennials with narrow, flat leaves that have a graceful arching habit. The nodding, bottlebrush seed heads are spiked and slightly plumed.

Description: Fountain grass is a perennial, warm-season grass growing to 3 feet tall. Its leaves are bright green with a fine to medium texture growing in a mounded form. Buff-colored flower heads, 6 to 8 inches long, appear in summer; they later take on a pinkish cast.. The seed heads remain attractive through winter. Fountain grass is an excellent ornamental grass for long season interest. Use as a order or in mixed perennial beds. Fountain grass is an effective ground cover when planted in mass.

How to Grow: Plant fountain grass in full sun; it will tolerate partial shade in the South. It prefers fertile, well-drained soil. Fertilize in spring with a complete fertilizer. In late winter, cut plants to the ground.

Propagation: Start plants from seed indoors or in a coldframe six to eight weeks before setting plants outdoors. Don’t set plants until the danger of frost has passed; young seedlings are not hardy. Or, divide plants in spring and replant divisions in a new location.

Pampas Grass

Pampas grass is native to South America. A perennial grass, it has dense, upright clumps of long, narrow, sharp-edged leaves. Large, showy, plumed panicles bloom in late summer and fall.

Description: Pampas grass is a warm-season grass. Heavy clumps of long, rough, blue-green, cascading leaves grow to 5 feet high and 5 feet wide. Flower stalks shoot up in late summer to 12 feet. Female plants produce showy, plume-like blossoms of pink or silver-white. Use pampas grass as a windbreak; it contributes to the landscape as a year-round accent. It can serve as a specimen in spacious gardens.

How to grow: Plant pampas grass in full sun or light shade in fertile, well-drained, moist soil. It is tolerant of drought conditions if well established. Fertilize in spring when new growth begins. Cut the plant back to the ground in late winter to keep a tidy appearance.

Propagation: Divide plants in spring. Use a sharp spade or saw to make divisions through tough roots.

Quaking Grass

Native to Europe and Asia, Briza includes annual and perennial grasses with slender, gracefully arching foliage. They’re grown ornamentally for their showy, drooping seed heads.

Description: Quaking grass is a perennial that grows 10 to 18 inches high with slender foliage. The 5- to 10-inch-long flower panicles develop thin, flat seed heads that hang on threadlike stems. The seed heads and panicles turn purple and fade to gray. The flower stalks are stiff, and nodding seed heads tremble with the slightest breeze. Quaking grass is a cool-season grass and blooms in early summer. Use quaking grass as an accent or in a mixed border for movement in the landscape.

How to grow: Grow quaking grass in full sun in dry, poor soil. Fertilize in fall or early spring with a complete fertilizer.

Propagation: Quaking grass grows easily from seed, or divide plants in early fall.

Ribbon Grass

Grown for its spreading habit and variegated leaves, ribbon grass is a perennial with flat leaf blades and narrow spikes of flattened seed heads.

Description: Ribbon grass grows to 3 feet tall. Its pointed leaves are 12 inches long and striped in green, white, and sometimes pink. It forms a dense mound that spreads by rhizomes. In summer, 4- to 6- inch-long and inconspicuous white flowers develop into pale pink seed heads on 3-foot stems. Ribbon grass makes an excellent, semievergreen ground cover, but it must be restrained.

How to grow: Grow ribbon grass in poor, dry or wet soil. If the soil is rich, its spreading habit becomes extremely invasive. To keep the sun from fading its variegated color, plant ribbon grass in partial shade. It’s a cool-season grass, producing most of its growth in spring.

Propagation: Start new plants by division in early spring or fall.

Zebra Grass

Several species of Miscanthus are grown ornamentally. Most species are clump-forming; some have gracefully arching foliage. Feathery flowers are either flat or fan-shaped, with soft hairs.

Description: Zebra grass grows 6 to 8 feet high. The medium green leaves are banded horizontally with yellow stripes. The flower stalks produce pinkish flowers that turn beige or orange-brown in the fall. The upright, stiff form holds well into winter. Use zebra grass as an accent in mixed borders or as a screen.

How to grow: Zebra grass grows best in full sun or light shade. Increased shade weakens the flower stalks, which may require staking. Soil should be moist, and moderately fertile. This warm-season grass begins its growth after the soil has thoroughly warmed up in the spring.

Propagation: Start new plants in spring by division.