Grasses - Varieties

Adiantum (Fern): Height 40cm (16 inches); Plant 40cm (16 inches) apart; A deciduous fern with creeping rhizomes and mid-green fronds. Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in partial shade.
Alopercus pretensis Aureovariegatus: Height 1.2m (4 feet); Plant 40cm (16 inches) apart; A spreading, but non-invasive perennial grass with rich yellow and green striped leaves. Abundant seed heads follow in late summer. Grow in well-drained, fertile soil in sun or partial shade.; Very hardy.
Asplenium (Fern): Height 70m (28 inches); Plant 60cm (24 inches) apart; An evergreen fern with leathery fronds of up to 40cm (16 inches) long, and with wavy margins. Enjoys a humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade, with added grit if possible.
Athyrium (Fern): Height 30cm (12 inches); Plant 60cm (24 inches) apart; An attractive, deciduous fern with interesting colourings. Grow in a moist, fertile, neutral to acidic soil in shade.
Bouteloua gracilis: Height 60cm (24 inches); Plant 30cm (12 inches) apart; A perennial grass with narrow foliage and panicles of brownish-purple, unusual blooms. Grow in light, well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid excessively wet and cold soils during winter. Cut back plants each spring to rejuvenate.; Flowers summer.
Carex grayi: Height 75cm (30 inches); Plant 60cm (24 inches) apart; A deciduous grass with broad foliage and flower spikes with spiked seed heads. Grow in fertile soil, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.; Flowers early to late summer.
Carex hachijoensis 'Evergold': Height 30cm (12 inches); Plant 30cm (12 inches) apart; A tufted perennial with evergreen foliage with broad cream stripes and brown flower spikes during spring. Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.; Flowers mid to late spring.
Container Grass Collection: Height up to 30-120cm (12-48 inches); Plant 23-30cm (9-12 inches) apart; A collection of grasses ideal for planting out into your garden or patio containers. All varieties are very easy to grow, and not fussy about soil, but will grow best in a sunny position. No regular feeding or pruning is required. Space plants by 23-30cm (9-12 inches) when planting into open ground.; Flowers summer.
Cortaderia (Pampas Grass): Height 3m (8 feet); Plant 1.5m (5 feet)apart; An evergreen, perennial grass producing large clumps of arching foliage, accompanied by plumes of either pale pink or creamy-white depending on variety. Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, with space for plants to develop. Protect the crowns of plants with a dry mulch during winter it give extra frost protection. Each year, comb out the decaying foliage during late spring to keep plants healthy and stimulate new growth.; Flowers late summer.
Dryopteris (Fern): Height 60cm (24 inches); Plant 38cm (15 inches) apart; The fronds of this deciduous fern turn copper-red in autumn, makes a striking border fern. Ideal for any moist, humus-rich soil in a sheltered, shady position.
Elymus magellanicus: Height 15cm (8 inches); Plant 30cm (12 inches) apart; A densely tufted perennial grass with intensely blue foliage. Lax flower spikes are produced throughout the summer. Grow in poor or moderately fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded position.; Very hardy.
Fargesia Bimbo (Bamboo bimbo): Height 1.5m (5 feet); Plant 1.2m (4 feet)apart; Clump forming evergreen bamboo. Ideal for planting where space is limited and excellent for growing in pots. Plant in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil.
Festuca glauca: Height 30cm (12 inches); Plant 25cm (10 inches) apart; A tufted evergreen grass with narrow, bright blue foliage and spikelets of pale flowers. Grow in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position. Divide and replant every 3 years to maintain good foliage colour.; Flowers early to mid-summer.
Hakonechloa: Height 35cm (14 inches); Plant 45cm (18 inches) apart; A deciduous, ornamental grass with arching foliage with spiky blooms in summer and good foliage colour in autumn. Grow in fertile, moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Variegated types will give best foliage colour in partial shade.; Flowers late summer.
Helictotrichon sempervirens: Height 60cm (24 inches); Plant 60cm (24 inches) apart; An evergreen, perennial grass with tufted mounds of grey-blue foliage, accompanied by straw-coloured spikelets, flushed with purple during summer. Grow in well-drained conditions, will tolerate poor soils, although preferably alkaline and in full sun. remove dead leaves and faded flower stems in spring.; Flowers early to mid summer.
Imperata cylindrica: Height 40cm (16 inches); Plant 30cm (12 inches) apart; A slow spreading grass with green foliage that quickly turns translucent red from the tip to the base. Occasionally silvery-white blooms are produced. Grow in moist but well-drained, humus rich soil in full sun or dappled shade. Mulch plants for protection in winter.; Flowers late summer.
Juncus effusus 'Spiralis': Height 45cm (18 inches); Plant 60cm (24 inches) apart; A perennial with shiny, dark green foliage with an unusual spiral formation and small brown florets in summer. Plant in permanently moist, humus rich soil in either full sun or partial shade, can also be grown in up to 8cm (3 inches) of water or in boggy soil.; Flowers summer.
Miscanthus: Height 1.5-1.8m (5-6 feet); Plant 1.2m (4 feet)apart; Miscanthus are imposing grasses for impact in the border, they are easily grown and tolerate most conditions. They prefer moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun, and should be protected from excessive winter moisture. Either cut down decaying growth before winter, or leave for winter display before cutting back the following spring.; Flowers summer to autumn.
Molinia caerulea variegata: Height 60cm (24 inches); Plant 60cm (12 inches) apart; A tufted and compact, upright perennial grass which has superb dark green and cream striped leaves. Graceful flower heads appear in summer and autumn. Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.; Very hardy.
Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens': Height 20cm (8 inches); Plant 30cm (12 inches) apart; A clump forming spreading perennial with stunning black foliage. Short bell-shaped purplish white flowers are produced in summer and are followed by purple, blue-black iridescent berries in autumn. Grow in moist but well-drained soil in sun or part shade.; Very hardy.
Panicum virgatum: Height 1m (36 inches); Plant 75cm (30 inches) apart; An upright grass with blue-green foliage, turning to yellow then brown as autumn approaches. Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.; Flowers early autumn.
Pennisetum setaceum 'Atropurpureum': Height 1.5m (5 feet); Plant 60cm (24 inches) apart; A magnificent grass with dark purple swards of foliage and crimson-red flower spikes. Grow in light moderately fertile and well-drained soil in full sun. Provide dry winter mulch for plants where not hardy.; Flowers summer to early autumn.
Phyllostachys: Height 3-6m (10-20 feet); Plant 3m (10 feet)apart; Phyllostachys are wonderfully statuesque plants, characterized by attractive, coloured stems and glossy, evergreen leaves. They are clump forming, but Phyllostachys nigra is not invasive and is an easy to grow, trouble-free variety of bamboo, suitable for both the border and large half-barrel containers, using a soil-based potting mix. In the garden, grow any Phyllostachys in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or dappled shade. Shelter from cold, drying winds. Stems should achieve a good black shade by their third year. Mulching the soil around the roots each spring will help to keep the soil moist. Also, adding some grit to the soil will ensure that it remains well drained throughout the winter months.
Polystichum (Fern): Height 80cm (32 inches); Plant 90cm (36 inches) apart; A fully evergreen fern with lance-shaped fronds, which are covered in golden hairs as they unfurl. Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in deep or partial shade. Remove dying fronds at the end of each season.
Typha minima: Height 75cm (30 inches); Plant 45cm (18 inches) apart; A perennial grass for the water's edge, this grass produces dark brown flowers on cylindrical spikes. Grow in water at least 40cm (16 inches) deep, or in very moist soils. Divide if unruly, each spring.; Flowers mid to late summer.
Stipa gigantea: Height 1.2-1.5m (4-5 feet); Plant 1.2m (4 feet)apart; A tufted evergreen or semi-evergreen perennial with clumps of mid-green foliage, and bristled, silvery-purple spikelets born in oat-like panicles throughout summer. Grow in moderately fertile, light, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Easily grown in weed-free clumps. Requires little maintenance, simply tidy plants each spring by removing the previous years deceased foliage.; Flowers summer.
Yucca 'Golden Sword': Height 75cm (30 inches); Plant 1.5m (5 feet)apart; Yuccas prefer an ordinary, well-drained soil and full sun. In very cold winters, this variety can benefit from winter protection. Remove spent flower spikes to keep plant tidy and encourage possible further flowering.; Flowers summer.

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Grasses - Varieties

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