Acorus gramineus 'Variegatus'

Sweet Flag, Dwarf

S-PS

12-18''

None

Green-Cream

One of the best dwarf variegated groundcovers available, this plant can handle wet or dry locations.  It is easy to divide.  I makes a great margin plant.

Calamagrostis acutifolia 'Karl Foerster'

Grass, Feather Reed

S-PS

36-48"

June

White

This is the 2001 Perennial Plant of the Year.  Its narrow, upright growth habit and long-lasting plumes make it a garden favorite.  Mass plantings highlight the strengths of this plant and draw out its full potential.

Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance'

Ice Dance Sedge

PSH-SH

12"

None

Green-Cream

It's not really a grass, but everyone assumes it is.  This little guy is perfect for a partially shaded location.  It makes a good substitute for the finicky and expensive Hakone Grass.

Carex muskingamensis 'Little Midge'

Sedge, Dwarf

PSH

12-15"

None

Green

A dwarf grass-like plant for the shade, this sedget works well with Hostas and other shade-lovers.  Its habit is dense and compact, it spreads very slowly.

Carex oshimensis 'Evergold'

Evergold Sedge

S-PS

12"

None

Gold-Green

This sedge likes a bit more sun than many of its relatives.  It has a cream stripe down the center of each leaf.

Chasmanthium latifolium

Sea Oats, Northern

S

36-48"

July

White

Watch out, this one's a spreader!  It will fill an area quickly and can be invasive if used in the wrong area.  The grass looks wonderful in the early fall, turning a golden bronze color and replacing its flowers with little 'spikelets'.

Festuca glauca 'Elijah's Blue'

Grass, Ornamental

S

8"

July

White

This ornamental Grass grows as a tuft of very blue foliage. Works well in rock gardens, as a ground cover, or as an accent plant.

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'

Grass, Hakone

PSH

8-12"

None

Variegated

An ornamental Grass that actually grows in the shade!  This plant does best in moist, shady conditions.  Its clump forming growth habit keeps it from becoming invasive.

Helictotrichon sempervirens

Grass, Blue Oat

S-PS

18-24"

July

Beige

This plant has very striking blue/gray foliage that compliments nearly every flowering plant, as well as making an elegant display on its own.

Leymus arenarius 'Glaucus'

Lyme Grass, Blue

S

24-36"

August

Tan

This grass is a real spreader.  It has blue foliage and a short, arching habit.  New growth can be stimulated by cutting back the foliage.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus'

Grass, Maiden

S-PS

60-72"

August-Sept.

Copper

An upright growing Grass, this perennial produces an abundance of flower panicles that last into winter.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Graziella'

Grass, Maiden

S-PS

60-72"

August-Sept.

White

This slender foliage Grass is one of the best ornamental Grasses available.  In the late summer it develops a feathery cream colored plume.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'

Grass, Ornamental

S-PS

36-48"

August-Sept.

Bronze

Silvery leaves on this upright growing Grass are attractive throughout the season. It is a very well-behaved Grass.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Puenktchen'

Grass, Little Dot

S-PS

36"

August-Sept.

White

A dwarf variety of Miscanthus, Little Dot looks like a short version of Zebra Grass.  It handles part sun very well, and gets a nice plume in the fall.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Purpurascens'

Grass, Ornamental

S-PS

48"

August-Sept.

White

This Miscanthus has the best fall color in its family.  The foliage begins to turn crimson around mid-summer, and continues to deepen in hue as the weather gets colder until it is a purple and red mix.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Silberfeder'

Grass, Ornamental

S-PS

48-60"

August-Sept.

Silver

An exceptional ornamental Grass, this plant has the largest plume in the Miscanthus family.  It is also known as 'Silver Feather' because of its feather-like plumes and silver color.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'

Grass, Porcupine

S-PS

72-96"

August-Sept.

Rust

A tall upright Grass, this plant works well as a specimen or in groups.  The foliage is an eye catcher throughout the summer.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus'

Grass, Zebra

S

48-60"

Sept.

White

This Grass has the appearance of a zebra--with cream colored stripes running vertically across the green shoots.  It provides a refreshing break from the usual plain green ornamental Grasses.

Panicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine'

Grass, Switch

S-PS

48-72"

August-Nov.

White

This giant Switch Grass has striking blue foliage, forming a large clump of flower panicles above. The foliage turns sulfur yellow in the fall.

Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues'

Switch Grass, Dallas Blue

S

72-96"

August

Purple

An exceptional blue Panicum, this cultivar may be the best in the species.  Endorsed by many industry experts.

Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'

Grass, Switch

S-PS

48"

August-Sept.

White

This ornamental Grass has wide leaves and a unique blue color.  'Heavy Metal' does not just fade in the fall. First it turns golden yellow, then, as winter sets in it changes to a mocha color.

Panicum virgatum 'Rotsrahlbusch'

Grass, Switch

S-PS

36-48"

August-Nov.

Rust

A 3-4' ornamental Grass with attractive grey-green leaves which turn a handsome red in the fall, this is a great low-maintenance plant.

Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'

Switch Grass, Shenandoah

S

48"

August

Tan

This plant has great red color beginning in the middle of the summer.  It is one of the reddest perennial grasses that will grow in our region.

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Grass, Fountain

S

36-48"

Fall

Silver

This Grass provides year-round interest.  During the spring and summer tufts of foliage form a compact mound, in the fall silver plumes appear, and in the winter it becomes an attractive mocha color.

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'

Grass, Dwarf Fountain

S-PS

24-36"

Sept.

White

This showy perennial has a very compact growth habit.  It produces decorative seed heads in the fall that last into the winter.  A well-behaved plant.

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny'

Grass, Dwarf Fountain

S

8-12"

August-Sept.

Silver

A very small ornamental Grass, this perennial is perfect for a small opening or accent.  This little Grass has nice fall color, and remains compact.

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Moudry'

Grass, Fountain

S-PS

24-36"

August-Sept.

Black

This plant has several attributes that make it popular.  It is relatively small, reaching only three feet in height.  It gets very dark seed heads that appear almost black.  It provides summer, fall, and winter interest to the landscape.

Phalaris arundinacea 'Picta'

Grass, Ribbon

S-PSH

24-36"

None

Variegated

This Grass is a vigorous spreader.  Planting it in partial shade, such as under trees or large shrubs, will help to lessen its aggressiveness.

Sorghastrum nutans 'Indian Steel'

Grass, Indian

S-PS

48"

August-Sept.

White

This plant is a tall ornamental Grass.  After the roots become established it is a fast grower, thickening up rapidly.

Sorghastrum 'Sioux Blue'

Grass, Blue Indian

S-PS

24-36"

August-Nov.

Tan/Yellow

This Longwood Garden's selection forms an attractive clump of foliage with a feathery tan flower in late summer. It does not spread as much as other Grasses.