Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum)
Switch Grass is native to North America which makes it a hardy ornamental grass to grow from Zone 3 to 9 – we are Zone 5a to 6a in our area. It performs best in full sun and will reward you with an erect-stemmed, narrow clump of bright green leaves topped in late summer to fall with reddish-purple flowers. It has stunning fall colour as many of the red varieties turn a rich burgundy while other varieties take on a lovely golden hue.
Blue Fescue (Festuca ovina)
Blue Fescue also commonly known as Sheep’s Fescue is an attractive, low growing, cool season grass. It emerges blue in the summer and turns a blue green through the summer months. Densely tufted mounds have narrow, stiff, semi erect leaves. A drought tolerant grass, it prefers sun or light shade & grows in most soils.
Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)
Japanese Forest grass is an elegant plant that prefers shade to sunlight. Graceful, long flat blades are mostly variegated with white or yellow. They can grow in full or partial shade – full shade is less than 3 hours of sunlight and part shade is less than 6. A slow grower, it will grow from 18 to 24” tall and prefers moist soil.
There are many other types of Ornamental Grasses that are becoming quite popular. Check with our knowledgeable staff at the Garden Centre for any others you don’t see here. Other varieties often available:
