Although grasses are an important component of Great Plains flora, Midwesterners have only recently incorporated them into landscape plantings. Ornamental grasses make wonderful additions to the landscape, tolerating drought, wetness and fluctuating winter temperatures very well. Grasses can add a sense of movement in the landscape as the foliage and flower heads are caught in the wind, and unlike herbaceous perennials, the foliage of most ornamental grasses does not disappear in late fall, but remains throughout the winter months to give added interest in the winter landscape.
Although a few ornamental grasses tolerate shade, most require full sun. Some grasses or grass-like plants are adapted to wet soils, but most require a well-drained soil. Organic matter should be added to very heavy or compacted soils to loosen the soil and allow better root development of the ornamental grasses. To prevent lodging, flopping or the need for staking, keep soil nitrogen levels low.
Annual Grasses
One great annual grass is Rhynchelytrum nerviglume 'Pink Crystals', often called Pink Crystals Ruby Grass. This beautiful annual grass was named a Plant Select winner in 1998, and for good reason. It is a small grass reaching a height of 20-24 inches tall. The leaves are a medium, slightly bluish-green that changes to purplish-red in fall. But the real attraction are the seed heads which are held 12 inches above the foliage and consist of 3-4 inch long, fuzzy, heads produced in late summer. The seed heads emerge ruby-pink and mature to creamy white, and remain on the plant for several weeks, making this plant very eye-catching when it moves in the wind! Pink Crystals ruby grass prefers moist, well drained soil in full sun. It will not perform well in wet, poorly drained sites.
Another great annual grass is Japanese Blood Grass. This plant gets its common name from the leaves, which emerge bright green with blood-red tips. As the leaves mature through the summer, they become increasingly red. By fall the foliage is totally red making a striking addition to the fall garden. In winter, the leaves change to copper, adding interest to the winter garden. 'Red Baron' is a particularly nice cultivar. Japanese blood grass prefers moist soil in full sun. It will not perform well in heavy, wet soils or hot, dry locations.
Mexican Feather Grass, Stipa tenuissima 'Ponytails', is another great annual grass. A very fine-leafed, clump-forming grass from Mexico reaches 15-18 inches tall. The needle-thin, flexible, arching leaves are an almost iridescent, bright green. The seed heads emerge bright green and become golden at maturity. Overall, a very graceful grass that dances in the wind adding color and movement to any landscape planting. Mexican feather grass prefers well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.
One of the most well known annual grasses is Pampas Grass. There are actually many types of this grass but the most popular is Cortaderia selloana. This clump-forming grass is quite tall, reaching 10 feet in one growing season. The foliage is green to grayish with 1/2-1 inch wide leaf blade that are very sharp-edged. The seed heads are held above the foliage on sturdy stalks. The large, showy panicles appear silky after emergence but become fluffy with maturity. Panicle color ranges from creamy white to pink in the cultivar C. selloana 'Rosea'. The seed heads are produced in late summer and persist into winter. Pampas grass can be used as an accent planting in the landscape, as a screen or windbreak or at the edge of a pond. Pampas grass prefers moist, well drained soil with full sun and will be slower growing in dried soils.
Another great annual grass is Purple Fountain Grass, Pennisetum setaceum 'Atrosanguineum'. This ornamental grass is 3 1/2 feet tall with purple foliage and seed heads. The flowers emerge in early summer as soft, red-purple nodding plumes, 8-12 inches long. The plumes arch up and over the foliage. The color of the foliage and plumes make this plant a nice accent planted alone or in groups. Purple fountain grass prefers moist, well drained soil and full sun. The plants will tend to flop over if planted in too much shade.
Pennisetum villosum or Feathertop is native to Africa and is an example of a plant that is an aggressive weed in parts of the world, but works well as an attractive, annual grass in colder regions like Nebraska. Feathertop has blue-green foliage that forms spreading mats, 1-2 feet tall. The seed heads are drooping, foxtail-like flowers resembling white feather dusters. The flowers grow 2-5 inches long and emerge at greenish-white maturing to creamy white. The plant is killed at 20 degrees, but self sows prolifically. To ensure this plant does not become a problem, remove seed heads before they shatter. Feathertop is a showy grass planted either alone or in groups. It prefers moist, well drained soil with either full sun or light shade.
Perennial Grasses
Feather Reedgrass, Calamagrostis x acutifora 'Karl Foerster'- This grass grows 2-4 feet tall in an upright, clump with medium green foliage. The seed heads are produced in mid-June and have pale, pinkish flowers. A great plant for specimen planting or for use in groups. Hardy to Zone 5.
Flame Grass, Miscanthus purpurascens- This foliage of this 3-4 foot tall, compact grass changes from green in summer to orange-red in the fall. The seed heads are slender plumes of white that are attractive all winter. Hardy to Zone 4
Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium- A native Nebraska grass usually growing 2-3 feet tall. In summer the foliage is medium green to bluish-green, and in fall changes to reddish-bronze or orange. The seed heads are produced in late summer to early fall, consisting of fluffy, beige plumes. Hardy to Zone 3.
'Heavy Metal' Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'- This very attractive 3-31/2 foot tall plant has stiff, upright, blue-green foliage in summer, changing to bright yellow in fall. The seed heads are open, loose panicles giving the plant a very open, airy look. Hardy to Zone 5.
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