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Ornamental Grass Chart

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Acorus calamus

Sweet Flag

6 to 10

3-4'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Slow spreading

Semi - evergreen, fragrant foliage, prefers moist soils.

late spring

 

       

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Acorus calamus`Variegatus'

Variegated Sweet Flag

6 to 10

3-4'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Slow spreading

Semi - evergreen, fragrant foliage, prefers moist soils.

late spring

 

       

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Acorus gramineus

Japanese Sweet Flag

6 to 10

18"

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Slow spreading

Semi - evergreen, fragrant foliage, prefers moist soils.

late spring

 

       

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Acorus gramineus `Ogon'

Golden Japanese Sweet Flag

6 to 10

10"

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Slow spreading

Semi - evergreen, fragrant foliage, prefers moist soils.

late spring

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Acorus gramineus`Variegatus'

White Striped Sweet Flag

6 to 10

10"

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Slow spreading

Semi - evergreen, fragrant foliage, prefers moist soils.

late spring

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Andropogon gerardii

Big Blue Stem

4 to 10 

4-6'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Clumping

Well-drained soil, hot position.

Aug.-Sept.

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Briza meadia

Common Quaking Grass

4 to 10 

2-3'

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Clumping

Any average garden soil.

Spring

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Calamagrostis acutiflora `Stricta'

Feather Reed Grass

5 to 9

4'

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun/partial

Clumping

Moist organic fertile soil.

Mid summer

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Calamagrostis acutiflora `Overdam'

Variegated Feather Reed Grass

5 to 9

3-4'

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun/partial

Clumping

Moist organic fertile soil. Cream and pink coloration.

Mid summer

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Calamagrostis arundinacea `Karl Foerster'

Feather Reed Grass

5 to 9

4-5'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun/partial

Clumping

Moist organic fertile soil. 

June-Sept.

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Calamagrostis a. var. `Brachytricha'

Fall Blooming Feather Reed Grass

5 to 9

18-30"

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun/partial

Clumping

Moist organic fertile soil.

Early fall

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex buchananii

Leather Leaf Sedge

7 to 9

1-2'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Partial

Clumping

Evergreen, well-drained fertile soil.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex Conica `Marginata'

Miniature Variegated Sedge

5 to 9

6-8"

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Partial

Clumping

Evergreen, well-drained fertile soil.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex comans `Frosty Curls'

New Zealand Hair Sedge

7 to 9

1-3'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Partial

Clumping

Evergreen, well-drained fertile soil.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex elata `Bowles Golden'

Gold Sedge

5 to 9

2'

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Partial

Clumping

Semi-evergreen, well-drained fertile soil. Acid soils.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex flagellifera

New Zealand Sedge

7 to 9

18-24"

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Partial

Clumping

Evergreen, well-drained fertile soil.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex glauca

Blue Sedge

5 to 9

6"

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Spreading

Moist fertile soil.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex grayi

Morning Star Sedge

5 to 9

2-3'

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Spreading

Semi-evergreen, well-drained fertile soil.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex hachioensis `Evergold'

Evergold Japanese Sedge

7 to 9

12-16"

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Partial

Clumping

Semi-evergreen, well-drained fertile soil.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex morrowii `Ice Dance'

Ice Dance Sedge

7 to 9

12"

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Partial

Clumping

Semi-evergreen, well-drained fertile soil.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex morrowii `Gold Band'

Golden Variegated Sedge

7 to 9

12"

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Partial

Clumping

Semi-evergreen, well-drained fertile soil.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex morrowii `Variegata'

Silver Variegated Sedge

7 to 9

12"

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Partial

Clumping

Semi-evergreen, well-drained fertile soil.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex muskingumensis

Palm Sedge

4 to 9

24"

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Spreading

Prefers moist soil, will grow in shallow water.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex nigra

Black Flower Sedge

4 to 8

6-9"

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Spreading

Evergreen, well-drained fertile soil.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex pendula

Drooping Sedge

5 to 9

3-4'

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Spreading

Moist organic fertile soil.

July - Aug.

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex siderosticha

Creeping Broad-leaf Sedge

7 to 9

12-18"

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Slow  Spreading

Moist fertile soil.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex siderosticha `Variegata'

Variegated Broad-leaf Sedge

7 to 9

12-18"

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Slow  Spreading

Moist fertile soil.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex siderosticha `Island Brocade'

Island Brocade Broad-leaf Sedge

7 to 9

12-18"

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Slow  Spreading

Moist fertile soil.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Carex sylvatica 

Wood Sedge

4 to 8

18-24"

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Clumping

Moist fertile soil.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Chasmanthium latifolium

Northern Sea Oats

3 to 8

2-3'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Partial

Clumping

Fertile well-drained soil.

Summer

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Cortaderia jubata

Pink Pampas Grass

8 to 10

9-12'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Full sun

Clumping

Fertile well-drained soil.

Late Summer

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Cortaderia selloana `Gold Band'

Gold Band Pampas Grass

8 to 10

4-6'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Full sun

Clumping

Fertile well-drained soil, golden margins.

Late Summer

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Cortaderia selloana `Pumila'

Dwarf Pampas Grass

7 to 10

4-6'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Full sun

Clumping

Fertile well-drained soil.

Late Summer

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Cortaderia selloana `Andes Silver'

Hardy Pampas Grass

5 to 10

5-7'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Full sun

Clumping

Fertile well-drained soil.

Late Summer

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Cortaderia selloana `Silver Stripe'

Silver  Striped Pampas Grass

8 to 10

4-5'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Full sun

Clumping

Fertile well-drained soil.

Late Summer

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Cortaderia jubata

Pink Pampas Grass

8 to 10

9-12'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Full sun

Clumping

Fertile well-drained soil.

Late Summer

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Cortaderia selloana

Pampas Grass

8 to 10

8-12'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Full sun

Clumping

Fertile well-drained soil.

Late Summer

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Cortaderia selloana `Usballata'

Pampas Grass

6 to 10

6-7'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Full sun

Clumping

Fertile well-drained soil.

Late Summer

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Deschampsia caespitosa `Bronzeschleier'

Bronze Tufted Hairgrass

4 to 8

2-3'

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Clumping

Semi-evergreen moist fertile well-drained soil.

Spring

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Deschampsia caespitosa `Goldgehaenge'

Gold Pendent Tufted Hairgrass

4 to 8

2-3'

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Clumping

Semi-evergreen moist fertile well-drained soil.

Spring

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Deschampsia caespitosa `Goldstaub'

Gold Dew Tufted  Hairgrass

4 to 8

1-2'

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Clumping

Semi-evergreen moist fertile well-drained soil.

Spring

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Deschampsia caespitosa `Schottland'

Scotland Tufted Hairgrass

4 to 8

18-30"

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Clumping

Semi-evergreen moist fertile well-drained soil.

Spring

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Deschampsia caespitosa `Northern Lights'

Variegated Tufted Hairgrass

4 to 8

1-2'

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Clumping

Semi-evergreen moist fertile well-drained soil.

Spring

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Elymus arenarius `Glauca'

Blue Lyme Grass

4 to 10 

1-3'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Spreading

Dry, infertile soil. Not as aggressive in  heavy clay soil.

June-Aug.

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Erianthus ravennae (Saccharum)

Ravenna Grass

6 to 10

10-12'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Clumping

Moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Food source for birds.

Aug.-Sept.

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Festuca ovina `Elijah Blue'

Blue Fescue

4 to 9

8-10"

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Clumping

Moist, well-drained soil. Evergreen.

Spring

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Festuca ovina `Golden Toupee'

Golden Fescue

4 to 9

8-10"

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Clumping

Moist, well-drained soil. Evergreen.

Spring

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Festuca ovina `Sea Urchin'

Sea Urchin Blue Fescue

4 to 9

6-12"

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Clumping

Moist, well-drained soil. Evergreen.

Spring

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Hakonechloa macra

Hakone Grass

7 to 9

12-18"

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Slow spreading

Moist, well-drained fertile soil.

Late Summer

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Hakonechloa macra `Aureola'

Golden Hakone Grass

7 to 9

12-18"

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Slow spreading

Moist, well-drained fertile soil.

Late Summer

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Helictotrichon sempervirens

Blue Oat Grass

4 to 9

1-2'

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun/partial

Clumping

Well-drained fertile soil. Evergreen.

June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Helictotrichon sempervirens `Sapphire'

Blue Oat Grass

4 to 9

1-2'

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun/partial

Clumping

Well-drained fertile soil. Evergreen.

June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Imperata cylindrica `red Baron'

Japanese Blood Grass

6 to 9

12-18"

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun/partial

Slow spreading

Moist, well-drained soil. Evergreen.

Summer

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Juncus effus

Soft Rush

4 to 9

18-30"

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Clumping

Moist, peaty soils. Grows  at pond edge or in the shallows.

Early summer

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Juncus effus `Spiralis

Corkscrew Rush

7 to 9

18-24"

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Clumping

Moist, peaty soils. Grows  at pond edge or in the shallows.

Early summer

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Koeleria glauca

Blue Hairgrass

7 to 9

6-10"

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Slow spreading

Well-drained fertile soil.

May - June

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Luzula nivea

Snowy Woodrush

4 to 9

24"

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Clumping

Moist, humus rich soil. Evergreen.

June - July

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Luzula sylvatica

Greater Woodrush

4 to 9

15"

COOL 

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Light Shade

Clumping

Moist, humus rich soil. Evergreen.

June - July

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

Miscanthus floridus (giganteus)

Giant Silver Grass

5 to 9

8-15'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Clumping

Moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

Aug.-Sept.

         

JAPANESE SILVER GRASS (MISCANTHUS SINENSIS)

       
         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

`Adagio'

Dwarf Maiden Grass

6 to 9

3-4'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Clumping

Moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

Aug.-Sept.

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

`Arabesque'

Japanese Silver Grass

5 to 9

3-5'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Clumping

Moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

Aug.-Sept.

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

`Autumn Light'

Japanese Silver Grass

4 to 9

6-8'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Clumping

Moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

Sept.-Oct.

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

`Cabaret'

Variegated Silver Grass

5 to 9

6-8'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Clumping

Moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

Aug.-Sept.

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

`Cosmopolitan'

Variegated Silver Grass

5 to 9

6-8'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Clumping

Moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

Aug.-Sept.

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

`Dixieland'

Dwarf Variegated Silver Grass

6 to 9

3-4'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun/partial

Clumping

Moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

Aug.-Sept.

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

`Gracillimus'

Maiden Grass

5 to 9

5-7'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun/partial

Clumping

Moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

Sept.-Oct.

         

BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

COOL OR WARM

`Graziella'

Japanese Silver Grass

5 to 9

5-6'

Warm

SUN OR SHADE

CLUMP OR SPREADING

CULTURE

BLOOMS

Sun

Clumping

Moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

Aug.-Sept.

         

BOTANICAL NAME