Grasses for Various Uses For more information on gardening Shade Tolerant: Many Sedges, Japa- please visit: Ornamental nese Forest Grass, Northern Sea Oats, Sweet Flag http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state/ Moisture Tolerant: Many Sedges and horticulture/index.php Grasses & Rushes, some Maiden Grass cultivars, or Ribbon Grass, Switchgrass, Sweet Flag, Cord Grass, Purple Moor Grass call University of Illinois Extension Grass-Like Knox County Office Drought Tolerant: Cool season grasses 309-342-5108 (if allowed to go dormant), Indian Grass,

Big & Little Bluestem, Purple Love Grass, Other information brochures can be found Prairie Dropseed online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ Good Fall Color: Big & Little Bluestem, hkmw/hort.html ‘Purpurascens’, Switchgrass, Prairie Dropseed, Indian Grass Developed and Written by Showy Flowers & Seedheads: Fountain Knox County Master Gardeners Grass, Plume Grass, Bunny Tails, Purple University of Illinois Extension Love Grass, Side Oats Gramma, Northern June 2016 Sea Oats, some Maiden Grass cultivars Aggressive (good for erosion control): Blue Lyme Grass, Ribbon Grass, Cord Grass Container: Bunny Tails, Purple Fountain Grass, Fiber Optic Grass, Corkscrew Rush, Quaking Grass University of Illinois ~U.S. Department of Agriculture ~ Local Extension Councils Screening: Feather Reed Grass, Maiden Cooperating Grass, Plume Grass, Fountain Grass University of Illinois Extension provides Garden Tips The accompanying chart contains just a equal opportunities in programs and from small sampling of what’s available. Color employment. and height can be variable, even among Knox County the same variety. Height of flower spikes can range from just above the foliage to UNIVERSITY OF ILLINO IS EXTENSION HENDERSON, KNOX, MCD O N O U G H Master Gardeners more than twice the height of the foliage. AND WARREN COUNTIES In the chart the lower end of the range in- dicates foliage height and the higher end height in flower. Knox County Office Many grasses have numerous cultivars 180 S. Soangetaha Rd. Suite 108 that vary in size, form, foliage color, or Galesburg, IL 61401 flower shape and color, Take some time to Phone: 309-342-5108 do a little research to see what’s out there Fax: 309-342-1768 and you’ll find just the right grass for your situation. Email: [email protected] Ornamental grasses can bring a new dimen- sion to your landscape, adding color, texture, Using Ornamental Grasses at the same level the grass was growing form, movement, sound, and winter interest. Many grasses prefer full sun and well-drained in the container and keep well-watered until Many will grow in a variety of conditions and soil, but there are varieties that grow in just established. Fall-planted grasses may benefit are low maintenance and drought tolerant, about any conditions, from part shade to from a light mulch the first winter. with few insect or disease problems. Grasses standing water. can provide screening, erosion control, and Ornamental grasses can be used alone, com- Maintenance food and shelter for wildlife. bining a variety of sizes, colors, and textures, Grasses need very little care - mainly cutting In this brochure we’ll discuss not only true or incorporated with other perennials and an- back in spring and dividing when needed. nuals. They can be massed or used as an grasses but sedges and rushes, which have a New grasses need regular watering, but many accent or specimen or to line a path. Larger similar appearance and uses. established grasses are relatively drought grasses can screen unpleasant views or tolerant. Watering cool season grasses in sounds. Grasses add interest to containers Types of Ornamental Grasses. summer may help keep them looking attrac- and dried arrangements. True grasses can be categorized in a number tive. of ways. The two major distinctions are warm Choosing an Ornamental Grass Don’t over-fertilize ornamental grasses - this or cool season, and clumping or running will result in weak stems and floppy grasses growth habit. There is an ornamental grass to fit just about that don’t keep their shape. any situation. A few things to consider: Cool season grasses grow best at 60-75°. Mulching grasses lightly will help control They begin growing in early spring and may  What are your growing conditions? weeds and maintain even soil temperatures go dormant in the hot dry weather of summer.  How much room do you have? and moisture levels. Some may be evergreen or semi-evergreen, Most grasses don’t need winter protection. especially in warmer areas.  What purpose do you want to accomplish? Leaving the stems standing will help protect  Is the grass potentially invasive? Be espe- Warm season grasses grow best at 80-95° the crown of the plant and also provide winter cially careful if you live near a natural area. and emerge later, after soil temperatures have interest. Cut back the plant to 3-4" before warmed in late April and May. Many have Consider using native grasses. Many are growth resumes in spring (cool season grass- attractive flower and seed heads and display quite attractive, adapted to local conditions, es will need to be cut back earlier than warm fall color when temperatures cool in autumn. and provide habitat for native wildlife. There season). Tying together the top growth be- Running grasses spread by rhizomes or sto- are also cultivars of some native grasses, fore cutting will make removing debris much lons and may become invasive in the wrong often bred to emphasize a specific trait. easier. Remove seed heads in fall if reseed- area. They are good for covering large areas ing is a problem. or for erosion control. These should be con- Preparation & Planting Remove any solid green shoots from varie- tained or closely watched if used in a land- Remove as many weeds as possible, espe- gated grasses to prevent the plant from re- scape with other plants. cially grassy ones. These can be difficult to verting back to the original more vigorous par- Clumping grasses grow in a defined clump distinguish from the ornamental grass later. ents. which slowly expands and may eventually die Before planting, incorporate organic matter Grasses may need dividing every three to out in the center. Those that produce viable into the planting site. If soil fertility is an issue four years. If the clump is too large, dig it up, seed can also spread aggressively. a balanced fertilizer could be added at this divide into sections, and replant or give away. Grasses can also be classified by hardiness. time but don’t overdo it - many grasses may If the clump is a desired size but dies out in Those that are not hardy in our zone are often actually perform better in slightly lean soil. the center, try digging out the dead center used as annuals in containers or in the land- Container-grown plants can be planted any- and filling the hole with good soil or compost. scape. time during the growing season, but may Roots may then fill in the center. Grasses come in a wide variety of sizes, need supplemental water in summer. Try not Dividing grasses is hard work, as roots are forms, and textures. Foliage colors include to plant later than September to allow time for dense and tough. You will need heavy-duty various shades of green, blue, purple, burgun- the roots to become established before win- tools - some people even use saws and axes. dy, and gold, as well as variegated forms. ter. If done regularly the job will be much easier. Their shape can be tufted, mounded, upright, or arching in heights from 6" to 15'. Common & Scientific Hardiness Height Season Growth Illinois Comments Name Zone Habit Native Annual Quaking Grass 10 18-20" Cool Clump No Annual. Pale green to white spikelets dangle from slender stems and mature to (Briza maxima) tan. Autumn Moor Grass 5-9 8-18" Cool Clump No Mounds of yellow-green semi-evergreen foliage with silver flower spikes. Tol- (Sesleria autumnalis) erates light shade and drought. Useful as ground cover.

Blue Fescue 4-9 8-24" Cool Clump No Mounding, silver blue semi-evergreen foliage. Use massed or as edger. Pre- (Festuca glauca) fers moisture but requires excellent drainage. Provide supplemental water in summer. Color can vary - buy named cultivar. Blue Oat Grass 4-8 1-3' Cool Clump No Full sun, excellent drainage. Steel blue semi-evergreen foliage. Foliage bluest (Helictotrichon sempervirens) in dry soil. Susceptible to diseases in high humidity.

Bluestem, Big 4-9 4-10' Warm Clump Yes Tall, arching blue-green foliage turns orange to red in fall. Tolerant of heat, ( gerardii) drought, and clay soils. Dominant grass of tallgrass prairies. Also called foot because of the shape of the seedhead. Bluestem, Little 3-9 2-4' Warm Clump Yes Reddish orange fall color. Tolerates heat, drought, humidity, and poor soils. (Schizachyrium scoparium) Cultivars available.

Bunny Tails 9 1-2' Warm Clump No Annual. Fuzzy white flowerheads. Good for containers or drying. Tolerates (Lagurus ovatus) dry conditions. Corkscrew Rush 4-9 10-12" — — No Prefers wet soils, will grow in standing water. Use in water gardens and con- (Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’) tainers. Can be aggressive in favorable conditions. Feather Reed Grass 5-9 3-6' Cool Clump No Full sun, moist soil. Upright, some cultivars have variegated foliage, persists (Calamagrostis x acutiflora) through winter. ‘Karl Foerster’ is an excellent cultivar. ‘Avalanche’ and ‘Overdam’ are shorter variegated cultivars. Background or screens.

Fiber Optic Grass 9-10 12-18" — — No Annual. Member of the sedge family. Moist areas. Mounded with fine leaves (Scirpus isolep) topped with tiny round flower spikes. Fountain Grass 5-9 2-3' Warm Clump No Showy purplish foxtail-like flowers persist into winter. Some cultivars may need (Pennisetum alopecuroides) extra protection in winter. Frost Grass 5-9 2-4' Warm Clump No Prefers sun to part shade and moist well-drained soil. Keep watered during () drought. Burgundy fall color. Upright .

Indian Grass 4-9 3-6' Warm Clump Yes Burnt orange fall color, use in natural areas or back of large borders. Tolerates (Sorghastrum nutans) wide range of conditions. Japanese Forest Grass 5-9 1-2' Warm Clump No Weeping mound, slow to establish. Yellow cultivars provide color in moist, (Hakonechloa macra) shady areas. Common & Scientific Hardiness Height Season Growth Native Comments Name Zone Habit June Grass 3-9 8-24" Cool Clump Yes Hardy, tough, short grass. Showy flowers in June. Narrow upright form. (Koeleria macrantha) Maiden or Silver Grass 5-9 3-12' Warm Clump No Full sun, moist well-drained soil. Many have spectacular flowers. A few culti- (Miscanthus sinensis) vars include ‘Gracillimus’, ‘Strictus’, ‘Morning Light’, ‘and Silberfeder’. Do not plant Miscanthus sacchariflorus - it is invasive in some areas. Northern Sea Oats 4-9 2-4' Warm Clump Yes Drooping flat flower heads rustle in wind and persist into winter. Tolerates (Chasmanthium latiforlium) moist soil and part shade. Self-seeds. Use in dried arrangements. Plume Grass 5-9 4-12' Warm Clump No Large plumes tower above plant on sturdy stems. Good fall color. Also called (Erianthus ravennae) Hardy Pampas Grass.

Prairie Dropseed 3-9 2-5' Warm Clump Yes Arching form with fine leaves, lightly scented flower heads, and light orange (Sporobolus heterolepis) fall color. Very drought tolerant. Good for small spaces.

Purple Love Grass 5-9 1-3' Warm Clump Yes Sunny, well-drained site. Airy flowers form a purple cloud in late summer (Eragrostis spectabilis)

Purple Moor Grass 4-8 2-6' Warm Clump No Full sun to light shade, average to wet soils, light green foliage, yellow to pur- (Molinia caerulea) ple flowers. Some fall color. Little winter interest as mature flowers & leaves break off at the base in late fall. ‘Skyracer’ has tall flower spires. Purple Fountain Grass 9 2-4' Warm Clump No Annual. Burgundy to purple leaves with purple plumes until frost. (Pennisetum setaceum) Ribbon Grass 4-8 2-4' Warm Running Yes Also known as Reed Canary Grass. Most cultivars variegated. Tolerates (Phalaris arundinacea) wide range of conditions. Can become invasive - use with caution. Look for less aggressive cultivars. Sedges Varies Most less — — Some Variety of colors, textures, and forms. Most do well in moist, partly shaded (Carex sp.) than 2' areas. Side Oats Gramma 3-9 1-2' Warm Clump Yes Tolerant of heat, drought, and poor soils. Purplish spikelets on one side of (Bouteloua curtipendula) stalk. Use flowers and seedheads in arrangements

Sweet Flag 4-10 4-12" — — No Prefers moist sites with light shade. Variegated cultivars available. Some (Acoris sp.) have citrus scent when leaves crushed. Switchgrass 3-9 4-8' Warm Clump Yes Upright clumps. Prefers moist rich soil but tolerates a wide range. Airy pur- (Panicum virgatum) ple/pink/silver flowers in fall/midsummer. Some cultivars have red or purple foliage. Good fall color. Tufted Hairgrass 4-9 1-4' Cool Clump Yes Will need supplemental watering. Tolerates shade. Mounded with airy flow- (Deschampsia caespitosa) ers green to yellow to purple. ‘Northern Lights’ has cream/gold/pink variega- tion & does not bloom.