Chilton Nursery

2008 catalogue > grasses

All the grasses listed are perennial, very hardy and easy to grow. When planting, add a sprinkling of a general fertilizer and mulch generously.

Most grasses can be tidied in the autumn, although many late flowering varieties look attractive in the winter frosts and are best left intact. Spring pruning is better; before new shoots appear for those with late flowers and later in the spring for early flowering types.

As with most perennials, regular division every few years in spring will maintain vigour and shape.

CQP pot grasses into 2lt, 2.5lt and 3lt depending on variety. The smaller, slow growing varieties will be in 2lt to 2.5lt and the more robust and vigorous will be potted into 3lt

D Acorus gramineus Licorice

Green leaves in broad fans are evergreen and scented and flavoured of liquorice/anise when crushed. Good as a marginal or bog plant and also suitable for small water features as well as ponds. Tolerant of some shade. Flowering June-July. Height x spread, 30cm x 30cm

D Acorus gramineus Oborozuki (Ogon)

Marvellous yellow fan of narrow grasslike foliage, a good strong colour and very striking, especially in winter. Will grow in ordinary or damp soil, or even in water. Ht. x spread, 30 x 40cm

D Acorus gramineus Variegatus

Similar to 'Ogon' but with creamy-white leaf stripe. Ht. x spread, 30 x 30cm

D Acorus Nakiro Nishik

Very small fine bright yellow foliage, only growing to 10-15cm Clump forming.

D Alopecurus alpinus Glaucus

‘Blue Foxtail' Grey-blue to purplish leaves with a hint of silver. Silky greyish green dumpy solid flower spikes, sometimes purplish from June to August, on stems 10 - 60cm

D Alopercurus pratensis Aureovariegatus (Variegatus)

'Golden Foxtail Grass' Vivid gold and green stripes. One of the best for a bridge edge or carpet. Ht. x spread, 20 x 30cm

C Ampelodesmos mauritanica

‘Mauritania Vine Reed' Very robust, it forms large tufts of very tough rigid, rush-like leaves and bears impressive 60cm flower panicles, greenish-yellow suffused with purple. Excellent for cutting. Requires a sunny position. Ht.1.8m – 3m

I Arundo donax

‘Giant Reed' Evergreen clumps spreading from woody underground runners. Bamboo-like leafy hollow stems up to 6m. Greyish-green leaves 60 x 8cm. Feathery flower plumes, whitish with a hint of purple when young, up to 60cm long, on second year canes, autumn.

I Arundo donax Aureovariegata

Amazing broad creamy-yellow striped foliage. Ht. 1.5m. Semi-evergreen.

I Arundo donax Versicolor

Leaves striped green, grey-green, and creamy-yellow that ages whiter; especially at the edges. Ht. 1.5m Semi-evergreen.

I Arundo formosana

‘Taiwan Grass' Upright clumps of grey bamboo-like stems with airy pink inflorescences in late summer. Plant in a sheltered, sunny spot. Semi-evergreen. Ht.2m

I Arundo formosana Golden Showers

Reaches 1.8m with leaves variegated yellow.

C Bouteloua curtipendula

Light bluish-green leaves 300 x 4mm. Flower spike 38cm tall, hanging horizontal green, purplish, reddish or brownish spikelets to 1cm long, with temporary tiny translucent red anthers at their tips in two gappy rows up one side of the 1m stems. Flowers July to November. Likes sun and well-drained fertile soil.

C Bouteloua gracilis

‘Mosquito Grass' Upright light green leaves in thick clumps. Flower spikes 5cm long like V-section horizontal to upward combs full of many ranks of short close teeth, purple-red expanding to brown, on stems 20-40cm from July to August. Good for drying. Plant in sun and well-drained soil.

C Briza Limouzi

Selected form of popular quaking grass with blue green foliage and many delicate, quaking flowerheads that bob in the wind. Sun to light shade. Ht.60cm

D Calamagrostis brachytricha

Broad upright green leaves make narrow clumps, glowing orange and yellow by autumn. Pink flushed feathery flowers in August - September, turn purple-green when fully expanded. A very beautiful grass, elegant and showy. Ht.110cm

D Calamagrostis emodensis

Clump forming. Bluish-green leaves. Feathery arching to nodding flower plumes on tall stems up to 130cm from July to August.

D Calamagrostis x acutiflora Karl Foerster

A wonderfully statuesque vertical accent with showy, long lasting flowers, green turning rosy-buff, from June. Flowers are borne high above the leaves on long thin stems, yellow in autumn and lasting warm buff through winter. Ht. 150cm.

D Calamagrostis x acutiflora Overdam

Wonderfully effective clumps of beautifully striped leaves; green with white, flushed pink-purple. Buff flowers, July - August. Ht. 120cm

D Carex Berggrenii

Slowly spreading with dull red, red-brown leaves with blunt tips, in dense tufts. Yellowish flower spikes among leaves, in summer. Ht. 3 - 6cm

D Carex buchananii AGM

Tufted and erect in growth, especially when young. The narrow foliage is copper-bronze coloured, up to 60cm tall and is best grown in full sun. Stunning if contrasted with silver foliage plants etc.

E Carex comans Milk Chocolate

Pale pinkish-brown arching leaves up to 80cm long.

D Carex Dancing Flame

Small, thin, brown-red foliage with a faint pink stripe. Grows to 60cm All well-drained soils.

D Carex elata Aurea AGM

‘Bowles Golden Sedge' Bright deep yellow leaves with narrow light green edge, the whole leaf rather greener in shade. Forms dense tussocks. Purplish-brown flowers spikes in June. Sun to part shade.

E Carex flagellifera Auburn Cascade

Forms a tufted mound of brown, narrow foliage. Lasts well into winter. Ht. 60cm

D Carex Frosted Curls

Silvery green arching foliage curling at the tips. Ht. 45cm

D Carex hachijoensis Evergold

Domed tuft of narrow leaves with a creamy-yellow central stripe make this one of the most attractive evergreen sedges, happier in a cooler, not too dry position, as indeed are many of this family, and colouring best in little shade. Charming pot plant, also for a cool window sill. Ht. x spread, 20 x 40cm

D Carex muskingumensis Silberstreif

‘Silver Stripe' Silver stripe along centre of leaf, sometime greenish by late summer. Ht. 45cm Deciduous to semi-evergreen forming a rounded clump. Flowers June-August. Plant in sun to part-shade.

D Carex panicea

Short clumps of blue-grey twisted leaves and small flowers produce wonderful green and purple seeds. Prefers sun. Up to 20cm

F Carex phyllocephala Sparkler

Stunningly variegated selection from Japan. The leaves are dark green in centre and broad with white to cream-white margins, creating an overall white effect. Makes an excellent summer container specimen. Grows well in part shade, or full sun with plenty of moisture.

E Carex siderosticha Shima Nishiki

‘Island Brocade' Clump forming and has a creeping rootstock. Leaves have wide yellow borders with cream central stripes. Flowers in spring before new foliage has expanded. Deciduous.

D Carex siderosticha Variegata

Broad green and white streaked leaves. Provided moisture and partial shade, it is beautiful from the time the new spring foliage emerges until autumn. The new leaves are sometimes attractively pink-tinted during cool springs. Fully deciduous in winter. Ht. 20cm

D Carex testacea

Forms a dense evergreen clump, 30-60cm high of pale olive green leaves which turn orange to reddish in autumn. Plant in soil which is not too dry.

D Chasmanthium latifolium

Makes superb slow-growing clumps of pale-green bamboo-like leaves. Flowers in July - August, arching panicles of quite flat, beautifully shaped green/purple spikelets. Flowers are buff by autumn and the leaves a beautiful pale orange and green. Good in part shade. Ht. 90cm.

E Chionochloa flavicans

From the mountains of New Zealand. Forms mounds of all green foliage with dainty arching flowerheads. Very attractive. Plant in a sunny spot. Semi-evergreen. Ht. 1.2m

E Chionochloa rubra

Very distinctive clumps of strong copper brown foliage making a striking feature. Occasional dainty flowerheads. Sunny spot. Ht. 90cm. Evergreen.

F Chondropetalum tectorum

Forms an erect tussock of 1.2m tall. Stems are a rich dark green, giving the appearance of a huge common rush. Dark brown flowers on tips of stems.

J Cortaderia Gold Band

Leaves are striped yellow, which deepens with age. Cream-white flower plumes on 1.5m stems. Clump forming.

F Cortaderia Pumila AGM

Compact habit. Dense, silky cream-white flower plumes on 2m+ stems

F Cortaderia rendatieri (pink flowering)

Plumes mostly silver-white with a pink blush, to 2.4m tall.

F Cortaderia richardii AGM

A magnificent and majestic ornamental grass. Forms a large clump of glaucous green foliage. In summer bears fine, long, arching plumes of near white in colour, often with a slight brassy tint and which lasts well into winter. Ht. 1.8m – 2.7m

J Cortaderia Silver Stripe

Foliage is edged white with a green centre. Silky-white flower plumes on stems 1.5m Slow-growing and compact.

J Cortaderia Splendid Star

Truly dwarf variegated Pampas Grass with long grassy leaves with a gold margin. Elegant white flowers in late summer. Ht. X spread, 1.2m x 1m

F Cortaderia Sunningdale Silver AGM

Vigorous habit. Leaves up to 1.5m Feathery silvery-white open plumes on erect, strong stems, up to 3.5m

B Dactylis glomerata Variegata

Leaves conspicuously striped white, giving an overall light green or white appearance. It looks at its best in spring and autumn and in milder climates the foliage is semi-evergreen. Best cut back in summer to allow new, clean growth in autumn. Ht.60cm Prefers sun to light shade.

E Deschampsia cespitosa Bronzeschleier

‘Bronze Veil' Large silvery green flower plumes on stems 120cm, ageing bright bronze yellow. Flowers June-July.

E Deschampsia cespitosa Golden Dew (Goldtau)

Compact form with silvery flowers turning golden. Ht.60cm Suitable for any shady or part shady conditions.

E Deschampsia cespitosa Golden Showers (Goldgehange)

Mid-green leaves and in this selected form, golden yellow spikelets carried well into winter on 90cm stems. Some shade is tolerated. Most soils including damp. Ht. x spread, 90 x 60cm

E Deschampsia cespitosa Gold Veil (Goldschleier)

Dark green leaves. Silvery green flowers age golden yellow with a silvery sheen on stems up to 120cm.

E Deschampsia flexuosa Tatra Gold

A newer variety of the `Wavy Hair Grass`, forming neat tufts of an unrivalled clean yellow in spring and in early summer, brightest yellow-green. Not for shallow chalk soils. Ht. x spread, 15 x 20cm

E Elegia capensis

Evergreen. Thick erect reed-like stems up to 2.5m with a large whorl of slender leaves at each joint. Like a shaggy horsetail. Yellow-brown flower heads in spring, followed by dark brown seeds. Likes moist sandy soil. Sun to part shade.

E Elymus hispidus

‘Hairy Couch' ‘Blue Wild Rye' Erect silvery blue-green, semi-evergreen leaves and erect velvety green flower spikes with soft bristles in summer, on stems up to 100cm. Plant in sun to light shade, in well-drained soil.

E Elymus magellanicus

This tufted clump-former has the most intense blue foliage of all the grasses. Foliage is semi-evergreen. Well-drained soil is a necessity, especially in areas with wet winters. Light shade helps to maintain colour. Makes a superb container plant.

E Elymus magellanicus Blue Sword

Clump forming with blue, evergreen foliage. Flower spikes up to 1m

E Eragrostis airoides

‘Flying Grass' Clump forming. Elegant arching flower plumes on long thread-like stalks, green, brown in seed sometimes purplish. August to October. Ht. 45cm

F Equisetum hyemale

Produces clusters of variegated shoots which are tipped with black cones, up to 2m long. Forms a plant of strong sculptural character. Makes a useful focal point in a damp garden or pond-side.

F Equisetum hyemale Affine

Green stems with darker nodes giving a banded effect. The stems are strictly vertical, which gives it a strong architectural effect. Maximum height, 2m Best in a cool damp position. Good in containers.

D Festuca glauca Blue Fox

A super bright blue for edging or carpeting. Ht. x spread, 22 x 30cm

D Festuca ovina Elijah Blue

Probably the best of the 'blue' Festucas. Ht. x spread, 22 x 30cm

D Festuca ovina Sea Urchin (Seeigel)

Dense cushion of very fine spiky olive-green leaves. Ht.15cm

D Hakonechloa macra

Clump forming with erect to arching bluish green, auburn leaves in autumn. Yellowish-green diffuse flower plumes up to 15cm long on tall stems, 45cm in August to September.

F Hakonechloa macra Aureola AGM

A grass of class, slowly spreading to form thick mats of broad lax leaves of the brightest yellow with fine green stripes. Perhaps best in light shade and good soil. Good with blue perennials. Ht x spread, 20 x 30cm

E Helictotrichon pratense

‘Meadow Oat Grass' Forms a dense spreading clump with bluish-green leaves with blue backs. Small flowers. A beautiful evergreen.

E Helictotrichon sempervirens AGM

‘Blue Oat Grass' Forms an evergreen clump with slender blue-grey leaves. Yellowish or brownish flower plumes on long erectish stems, 50-100cm, in June to July. Likes a sunny well-drained spot.

E Helictotrichon sempervirens Pendulum

Forms evergreen clumps with slender blue-grey leaves. Arching flower stems with drooping branches. Requires a sunny well-drained spot. June-July.

B Holcus mollis Albovariegatus

Lovely tufted, gently creeping grass, almost white in overall effect. Wonderful soft foliage. A good carpeter. Can be trimmed regularly. Ht. x spread, 15 x 40cm

G Imperta cylindrica Red Baron

Astonishing blood-red leaves are the outstanding feature of this grass. It forms a gently spreading clump and goes well with low-growing yellow leafed plants. Protection from extreme cold is advisable. All good soils. Ht. x spread, 40 x 30cm

F Isolepis cernua

Forms a dense clump of slender bright green leaves. Flower spikelets whitish to greenish, red-brown in seed. Prefers a damp soil.

C Juncus effusus Spiralis

‘Corkscrew Rush' Stems and leaves up to 45cm long, shaped like widely spiralling corkscrews. Evergreen and clump forming. Greenish flowers ageing brown from June to August. Likes damp places.

C Juncus effusus Unicorn

Leaves and stems twist and curl. Ht. 75cm Clump-forming. Flowers June to August. Likes damp places.

C Juncus filiformis Spiralis

Evergreen with 20cm curling stems. Small tight heads of greenish to pale brown flowers fading to

straw. June-September.

C Juncus inflexus Afro

‘Blue Madonna' Widely spiralling corkscrew stems up to 30-60cm long, blue-green in colour. Small brownish flowers in June to August. Poisonous to livestock.

C Juncus pallida

This giant rush has thick greyish leaves up to 1.5m with tiny white flowers in summer. Clumping and highly architectural.

D Juncus patens Carmen's Grey

Forms dense evergreen tufts up to 70cm. Grey-green foliage and small light brown flower clusters in late summer. Prefers damp soil, in sun to part shade.

E Leymus arenarius

A native sea-shore plant. Highly ornamental with broad grey-blue leaves on stiff stems. Wheat like flower heads dry well. Needs room to spread on lighter soils. Ht. x spread, 90 x 90cm

E Luzula sylvatica Hohe Tatra

A wonderful variety with splendid bright yellow leaves in winter. Yellow-green in summer. Tolerant of sun or dry shade once established. Ht. x spread, 45 x 45cm

E Luzula sylvatica Marginata

Useful and handsome woodrush, good in difficult situations. Dense clumps of broad, glossy green leaves with a narrow cream margin. Chestnut brown spikelets. Tolerant of sun or dry shade once established. Ht. x spread, 45 x 60cm

E Luzula sylvatica Variegata

Green leaves finely lined creamy yellow. Erect habit. Evergreen. Tiny brown flowers on 80cm stems from May to July.

C Melica altissima Atropurpurea

Highly decorative grass consisting of short soft-leafed clumps producing long stems of beautiful tassel-like deep purple flower spikes from July onwards - 1m.

D Milium effusum Aureum

‘Bowles Golden Grass' is ideal for lighting up shaded areas. Everything about this plant is bright. Yellow leaves and stems and lovely light airy flower heads. Ht. x spread, 40 x 40cm

D Milium effusum Yaffle

Named after a Woodpecker. Golden leaves with a central green stipe. Best grown in light shade. Ht.45cm Yellowish airy flower plumes in May to July. Clump forming.

H Miscanthus Adagio

Slender silvery grey-green leaves to 60cm. Many narrow erect pale brownish-pink flower clusters, ageing white, up stems to 1m

H Miscanthus Emerald Giant

‘Cosmo Revert' Broad leaves, very narrow whitish midribs.

H Miscanthus Giganteus

Upright in habit with a maximum height of 3m. Foliage is deep green with a white mid-vein. The leaves are pendant, producing an overall effect of a large fountain. Clump-forming. Flowers in very late summer.

H Miscanthus gracillimus (Maiden Grass)

Narrow leaves up to 1.5m long, dark matt green with broad white stripe along midrib on inner surfaces. Forms a clump up to 2m+. Copper-red flower spikes in November. Needs a hot summer to flower.

H Miscanthus Purpurascens

Grown for its wonderful red-orange autumn foliage colour. Upright habit. Early flowering, July or August. Ht.1.5m Prefers sun to light shade. Suffers in extreme heat.

H Miscanthus sinensis

Medium green leaves 2cm wide with a prominent white midrib. Flowers open reddish coloured and fade to silver-white from August to October. Prefers sun to light shade.

H Miscanthus Blutenwonder

Bluish green leaves . Abundant flower plumes. 120-200cm

H Miscanthus Cabaret

Dark green leaves up to 25mm wide, with broad cream-white central stripe, often flushed pink. Copper pink flowers ageing cream, up pinkish stems to 2.2m.

H Miscanthus China

Metallic reddish flowers from September to October. Ht.150cm +

H Miscanthus Cosmopolitan AGM

Leaves up to 4cm wide with mostly green centres and wide cream-white variegated margins. Flowers open copper-red in November on tall 2.2m stems. Foliage height, 2m. Prefers sun to light shade

H Miscanthus Ferner Osten

‘Far East' Foliage height, 1m. Flowers have a very pronounced red colour when first opening in mid to late summer, Ht. 1.6m

H Miscanthus Flamingo AGM

Foliage height, 1m. Many large open heads of arching pale purplish pink flower spikes on 1.6m reddish stems, from mid August.

H Miscanthus Gold Bar

Unlike Miscanthus ‘Strictus' this is variegated from the beginning of the season with sparkling horizontal creamy-yellow bands. It is short and quick to form a clump. Ht. 60cm

H Miscanthus Graziella

Narrow leaves, reddish brown in autumn. Compact habit only reaching 80cm. Flowers rose purple ageing silvery white, in large nodding plumes on stems up to 1.5m from early September. Autumn leaves sometimes bronzy reddish brown and orange.

H Miscanthus Grosse Fontane AGM

(Large Fountain) Vigorous. Long arching leaves, forming fountain like clumps reaching 1.7m Flower heads reddish ageing brownish, on stems to 2.5m from early September.

H Miscanthus Hinjo (Little Nicki)

A compact ‘zebra' grass. Horizontal bands of yellow are very vivid and are closer together than those of ‘Strictus' and ‘Zebrinus'. Compact, upright habit, and never flops when in flower. Ht.1m

H Miscanthus Kaskade AGM

Narrow foliage with white midribs which turns a rich red copper in autumn. Attractive, cascading, rose-coloured, silky flowers, held well above the foliage, turning silvery buff when mature. Foliage height, 1.25m Flower height, 1.9m Flowers from mid August.

H Miscanthus Kleine Fontane AGM

‘Small Fountain' Narrow deep green leaves with silver midribs, height 90cm Spreading to pendulous flower plumes, red-purple-brown, ageing to silvery pink, more erect in seed, on stems up to 1.6m . Flowering from early August.

H Miscanthus Kleine Silberspinne AGM

‘Small Silver Spider' Small version of ‘Siberspinne'. Red-brown flower plumes ageing silvery pink, on 1.2m stems from late August. Dwarf habit, only reaching 70cm

H Miscanthus Krater

Autumn leaves are suffused wonderful plum-red. Ht.120cm

H Miscanthus Little Kitten

Narrow-leaved and extremely compact, only reaching 50cm. Flowers from mid August with very erect, buff plumes on 80cm stems. Plant in sun to light shade.

H Miscanthus Malepartus

Blooms in late August. Foliage wider than form. Flowers open silver, becoming very fluffy-white when dry. Wonderful gold autumn colour often infused with red and orange. Foliage height, 1.1m Flower height, 2m

H Miscanthus Morning Light (Gracillimus Variegatus) AGM

Dense erect clump with slender leaves with narrow white borders, silvery from a distance; tips arching. Reddish bronze flowers ageing silvery, on stems up to 1.5m from September to October.

H Miscanthus Nippon

Flower plumes slender, erect and red-brown, ageing browner. Ht. 80cm Flowers late August. Leaves narrow, coppery coloured in autumn.

H Miscanthus Punktchen

‘Little Dot' Has banded variegation with stiff, erect foliage. Ht. 1.5m Very spiky texture. Flowers early October on 2.2m stems. Very free flowering with red plumes.

H Miscanthus Roland

Tall-growing, foliage reaching 1.4m. Pink-tinted flowers in mid August. Good bold leaves. Crinkly, very pale flowerheads on 2.4m stems.

H Miscanthus Rotsilber

'Silver Red' Compact. Foliage reaches 1.2m. Leaf midribs are silver, leaves sometimes flushed orange-reddish in autumn. Many large airy deep chestnut ploished flower plumes, ageing silvery. Stems to 2m+ from early September

H Miscanthus Silberfeder AGM

Leaves narrower than most, reddish in autumn. Abundant spider's-leg flower spikes arching all ways, red-brown ageing silvery, on 1-1.5m stems. September-October.

H Miscanthus Silberturm

‘Silver Tower' Large slender silvery-white plumes on stems to 3m+

H Miscanthus Septemberrot AGM

Broad leaves with narrow white midribs. Large open plumes of reddish-brown flowers on erect stems up to 3m

H Miscanthus Sioux

Tight and tidy red flowered form with flowers at variable heights. Good in winter. Ht.120cm

H Miscanthus Strictus AGM

Leaves banded yellow in summer and autumn, sometimes temporarily all green when growing vigorously. Leaves more shorter and upright than ‘Zebrinus' Pinky brown flower plumes up stems to 2m

H Miscanthus transmorrisonensis

Clump forming with dark grey green leaves. Pinkish flowers ageing to golden yellow on tall stems from August to September.

H Miscanthus Undine AGM

Slender bright green leaves, yellow in autumn. Flowers open a russet-pink, ageing to a silvery-white. Stems up to 1.5-2.5m September to October.

H Miscanthus Variegatus

Leaves are edged and narrowly striped with cream to cream-yellow. White midribs. Arching habit reaching 120cm. Flowers on stems up to 120cm in late summer.

H Miscanthus Zebrinus AGM

Bright green leaves are cross-banded bright yellow. Good in a border and especially against the light. Good orange tints in autumn, deep brown in winter. Flowers in October and November. Ht.200cm

H Miscanthus Yaku Jima

Narrow green leaves to 1m, tinged reddish-brown in autumn. Reddish flower plumes on tall stems, 120cm, in late summer.

H Miscanthus Yakushima Dwarf

At 60cm this is a charming petite grass with narrow leaves quickly forming a graceful specimen. Flowers appear from August to September and last well into winter

D Molinia caerulea Carmarthen

Pale green leaves striped cream-yellow. Buff flowers in nearly unbranched plumes on stems 60cm tall.

D Molinia caerulea Edith Dudszus

Strong growing, clump forming, deciduous. Erect flower heads are coloured jet black. Sun to part shade, any soil.

D Molinia caerulea Heidebraut

Erect light green leaves. Slender pale purplish flower plumes, becoming polished yellow seed heads, on erect yellowish stems to 120cm

D Molinia caerulea Karl Foerster

Forms small clumps up to 90cm. Leaves arch at tips. Airy green and dark red-purple flower plumes on very bright erect stems, up to 220cm.

D Molinia caerulea Moorhexe

‘Bog Witch' Rigid, erect dark green leaves up to 45cm long. Slender erect dark purpurlish green flower plumes on 50cm stems. Foliage orange-brown in winter.

D Molinia caerulea Skyracer

Foliage is grey-green and turns rich golden-yellow in autumn. Upright and unusually tall, 2.4m Needs

a few seasons to reach maturity.

D Molinia caerulea Transparent

Broad strap-like foliage and wonderful tall arching purplish plumes of airy well spaced flowers turning warm orangey brown in autumn. Requires a sunny open spot. Ht.2m

D Molinia caerulea Variegata AGM

A most attractive grass forming a neat tuft of conspicuously cream-striped leaves, sometimes pinkish when young and drying to buff in autumn and winter.

D Molinia caerulea Windspeil

Dense deep brownish yellow flower heads on slender stems up to 180cm. Polished yellow leaves in autumn.

C Muhlenbergia mexicana

Clump forming. Greyish green leaves 150 x 6mm. Slender erect to nodding green to purplish flower plumes on stems 40 - 100cm. Flowers July to September.

D Nasella trichotoma

Mid-green needle-fine leaves form fountain-shaped clumps, covered from June with large panicles of minute, long-awned brown flowers. The whole clump is transformed into a shimmering hemisphere. Retentive soil and sun. Dries well. Ht. 45cm.

H Ophiopogon planiscapus Nigrescens AGM

One of the few black leaved plants, this has the appearance of a grass. Creeps slowly. Short spikes of pink flowers from August to September followed by black berries. Ht. 15cm. Needs good soil in part shade.

F Panicum clandestinum

‘Deer Tongue Grass' Pale grey to deep green leaves which are yellow and brown in autumn. Airy silvery flower heads age to brown from July to August. Ht. 1.5m Looks somewhat like Bamboo!

F Panicum virgatum Cloud Nine

Metallic blue leaves up to 2m. Reddish-brown flower plumes from August to September. Prefers damp fertile soils, avoid heavy clay.

F Panicum virgatum Dallas Blue

New variety with blue stems, wide leaves and showy flower panicles. Needs an open, sunny spot. Ht. 1.5m –1.8m Probably the best blue selection of ‘switch grass'

F Panicum virgatum Hanse Herms

Flowers in September with slender panicles of small purple flowers on green stems, leaves then become a magnificent deep purple. Sun. Ht. 90cm.

F Panicum virgatum Heavy Metal

Erect pale metallic-blue foliage, yellow in autumn. Forms large clumps running from underground shoots. Airy flower plumes of purplish spikelets ageing to brown from August to September.

F Panicum virgatum Kupferhirse

Growing to 120cm with green foliage turning a wonderful copper in the autumn. Prefers a damp soil. Seed heads can be left for bird food in the winter.

F Panicum virgatum North Wind

A new cultivar grown for its extremely upright habit and good blue-grey wide foliage which turns yellowy orange in autumn. Plant in a sunny open spot. Ht. 1.2m

F Panicum virgatum Rotstrahlbusch

‘Red switch grass' Fawn flower plumes. Leaves red-burgundy in autumn. Ht. 1.2m

F Panicum virgatum Rubrum

Upper parts of leaves are reddish in summer and whole leaf red in autumn. Plumes of chestnut brown flowers on 1m high stems in late summer.

F Panicum virgatum Shenandoah

Unmatched for burgundy autumn colour. Leaves green in early summer, taking on red tones by July and turning wholly wine-coloured by September. Approximately 1.2m tall in flower.

F Panicum virgatum strictum Compactum

Purple tipped leaves, deep yellow and red in autumn. Forms a dense, erect clump. Reddish flower plumes. More compact than type.

F Panicum virgatum Squaw

Leaves rich red in autumn, especially after a hot summer. Large purplish flower plumes on stems up to 150cm.

F Panicum virgatum Warrior

Leaves green, 1.5m tall in flower. Some red tones in autumn.

D Pennisetum alopecuroidess

‘Fountain Grass' Forms a dense clump with very slender grey to dark green leaves, (600 x 12mm) outwardly arching. Tips tinged purple-red by late summer, yellow and orange in autumn, light brown in winter. Feathery green flower plumes to 20 x 5cm with coloured sideways bristles to 3cm, from August to September. Needs sun and good drainage, in not too dry soil.

D Pennisetum alopecuroides Cassians Choice

Fountain grass with bright green foliage turning rich orange yellow in autumn. Dusky light brown flowers are produced in mid-summer. Plant in a sunny well drained spot. Ht. 1m

D Pennisetum alopecuroides Hameln (Hamelin)

Greenish white flower heads with stuck-out orange stamens, earlier than most. Stems up to 60cm. Dark green leaves, deep yellow in autumn.

D Pennisetum alopecuroides Herbstzauber

Large, hairy, pinkish bottlebrush flower spikes from late Summer to Autumn. Ht.65cm

D Pennisetum alopecuroides Little Bunny

Dense, clump forming grass 30 x 30cm with fluffy white flowers from August to September. Needs sun and good drainage in soil that is not too dry.

D Pennisetum alopecuroides Little Honey

Leaves longitudinally striped white. Dwarf in habit, only reaching 30cm even when in bloom. White fluffy flowers from August to September. Needs good drainage in soil that is not too dry.

D Pennisetum alopecuroides Moudry

Distinct compact form with glossy neat basal mounds of foliage topped by fluffy deep purple to black flowers, fluffier and lighter by autumn. Plant in a sunny well drained spot. Ht. 30cm

D Pennisetum alopecuroides viridescens

Has the largest, most handsome, bottlebrush-like flower heads, dark green, shadowed with black, softened with long, fine hairs. Ht. 60-90cm Requires an open site in retentive soil.

D Pennisetum incomptum

Forms a spreading clump with arching green leaves, pale yellow in autumn. Slender flower plumes, purplish when young, age to brown, on erect stems from July to August. Ht.40cm

D Pennisetum villosum AGM

Beautiful plant with clumps of light green foliage and masses of large furry caterpillar-like flowers colouring buff white. Dramatic in full flower when planted in a pot or planted en masse. Hardy in sunny well-drained spot. Ht.60cm

C Phalaris arundinacea Feesey

Leaves green with prominent longitudinal stripes. Compared to the old standard, ‘Picta', the variegation is much stronger and clearer white, especially during cool periods of spring and autumn, when the foliage and stems are frequently and conspicuously pink-tinted.

C Phalaris arundinacea Luteopicta

Leaves attractive cream-yellow-striped, especially in spring, darkening mostly to green in summer.

C Phalaris arundinacea Picta (Variegata) AGM

‘Gardeners Garters', ‘Ribbon Grass' Leaves cream, longitudinally striped light to mid green. Light green flower plumes flushed pink, stamens pale lilac.

C Phalaris arundinacea Tricolor

Rather greyish green leaves, edged with white. The edges are tinged purplish pink, especially in spring and early summer.

C Phragmites australis Variegatus

Leaves striped bright yellow that ages whiter. Purplish flower heads on stems up to 150cm.

C Phragmites pseudodonax (syn. altissimus)

Bamboo-like grass with tall stems bearing horizontal green leaves. Soft feathery flower heads, dark brownish age to grey, from August to September. With reach 6m!

I Pleioblastus auricomus (viridistriatus) AGM

A very hardy form with erect, purplish-green canes reaching 1-2m and forming small clumps. Foliage is striped rich yellow, often more yellow than green. The best of the variegated bamboos, quite small when grown in shade and makes an excellent tub plant. Old canes may be cut down in autumn to encourage new canes brightly coloured young foliage.

I Pleioblastus variegatus (Bamboo)

One of the best white variegated plants. Semi-dwarf with dense mound forming habit for sun or part shade. Prune hard back to rejuvenate and better the colour. Ht.75cm

E Restio tetraphyllus

Forms bright green tussocks. Drooping tassels of brown to reddish-brown flower plumes in late summer.

Plant in sun or part shade, in moisture retentive soil.

E Rhodocoma capensis

Arching stems up to 2m. Requires dryish soil in winter, less so in summer. Sun to dappled shade.

E Rhodocoma gigantea

Young leaves are finely branched, ageing to arching plumes up to 3m tall. Well-drained soil which remains damp in summer.

C Saccharum ravennae

A splendidly large grass with tall flower spikes. Makes an imposing feature in large scale plantings or as a screen. Grey-green leaves colour well in autumn, to leave a fine winter skeleton. Needs retentive soil to look its best. Ht. 200cm

E Schizachyrium scoparium

Grey-green leaves ageing blue and then purplish, tan and pale russet after autumn-winter frosts. Upright habit with wispy, slender flower plumes, glistening blue-green ageing to russet. Ht.120cm. August-October. Plant in well-drained light soil. Likes full sun, but not in soil which is too dry.

F Schoenoplectus taburnaemontani

‘Glaucous Bullrush' Circular stems up to 1.7m with a grey-green bloom. Dense clusters of small reddish-brown egg-shaped stalkless flowers in June to August. Ideal for pond side planting.

C Sorghastrum nutans Indian Steel

Upright bluish green leaves which in mid summer to autumn produce tall 32cm long, narrow golden brown panicles.

E Spartina Aureomarginata

Narrow leaves with a yellow margin and midrib. Erect flower plumes on tall stems from August to September. Ht.2m Prefers a damp soil.

E Stipa arundinacea NEW NAME Anemanthele lessoniana

Arching evergreen leaves become progressively more orange-brown as summer advances, and entirely orange-brown through autumn and winter. Drooping heads hold clouds of tiny flowers. Avoid extremely dry soils. Ht. x spread, 45 x 90cm.

E Stipa barbata

‘Silver Feather Grass' Leaves 30 - 60cm long, edges inrolled. Narrow silvery flower plumes with few spikelets and hairy bristles up to 18cm long, on stems 30 - 90cm in height. Flowers July to August.

E Stipa calamagrostis

One of the most beautiful of all, free flowering and keeping its good looks through winter. Makes a perfect accent and will fit almost anywhere in a border. Forms shapely clumps of arching green leaves with a multitude of panicles of feathery white and green flowers June-October. Will flower twice if cut down. Best in sun, will tolerate dry conditions. Leaves turn orange-yellow in autumn. Ht. 120cm.

F Stipa gigantea AGM

A magnificent grass, best planted in some isolation to be fully appreciated for its splendid 180-240cm open heads of flowers, purplish, becoming golden, each with long awns, trembling in the least breeze. Ht. x spread, 75 x 90cm.

E Stipa tenuifolia

Forms a dense clump topped in mid summer by fluffy plumes turning from beige to white. Flowering June - September. Ht. 60cm.

E Stipa tenuissima

Erect clump with wiry green leaves up to 30cm+ Drooping slender flower clouds up to 30cm long from July to August. Plant in sun

E Uncinia rubra

Unique rich, shiny foxy red-brown, good with yellows and reds. Sun, some shelter and not too dry soil. May not survive in colder areas without protection. Highly recommended for its special colouring. Ht. x spread, 15 x 30cm.

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