Plant Catalogue: Ornamental Grasses
*ORYZOPSIS milliacea. From evergreen tufts erupt filament-like flower stems arranged umbrella spoke fashion from the base in descending size, tier upon tier creating an elegant, airy effect. Almost unmatched for beauty in winter. 45cm. £4.20
PANICUM. The ‘Switch Grasses’ of North America are a valuable addition to our flower borders. Strictly clump forming and trouble free, they erupt in September/October into a shower of tiny reddish-purple, bead like flowers. At the same time, the foliage assumes crimson-purple hues, contributing greatly to the general effect. Prices from £4.50
P. v. ‘Cloud Nine’. The strictly erect grey-green leafy stems erupt in October into a spectacular billowy cloud of flowering panicles. It makes a superb punctuation. 2m.
*P. v. Hieliger Hain’. A new form from the continent whose foliage becomes progressively purple stained, but with less vigour in our opinion than other selections of this species. 75cm
P. v. ‘North Wind’. We so enjoy this plant with its strong vertical habit, forming a green column in the border. Good bronze and copper tints in autumn too. Flowers? Hmm-ask another question. 120cm.
P. v. Prairie Sky’. The bluest Switch Grass with good flowering panicles that persist in winter. 120cm.
*P. ‘Red Cloud’. New to us, we have been impressed by the impressive size of the panicles of ruby red flowers. 120cm.
*P. v. ‘Shenandoah’. Particularly dark red flowers in this form and characteristic red staining to the foliage also. 1m.
P. v. strictum. Bolt upright with a particularly airy flowering inflorescence. We love it! 120cm.
P. v.‘Warrior’. Produces a great misty head of ruby flower spikelets that remain attractive in winter long after their colour has been sapped. 120cm.
*PENNISETUM alopecuroides ‘ Cassian’s Choice’. An American selection noted for its good autumn foliage colour and generous display of light brown bottlebrush flowers in high summer 60cm. From £4.30
*P.a. ‘Black Beauty’. A selected clone of the following with spectacular dark, busby-like flowers in autumn. Admired by all. 90cm. From £4.50
P.a. ex ‘Black Beauty’. Seedlings of the above which come pretty trueto form. £4.50
*P. macrourum. Unequivocally one of the most exciting grasses we grow. The flowers, not unlike cream-white Pipe Cleaners, are held aloft on stiff 180cm stems. Need we say more! £4.50
*P. orientale. Never easy to propagate we hope to have plants of this splendid species for sale by early summer. £4.50
*P. o ‘Fairy Tails’. Both this and P. ‘Tall Tails’ are American selections where they have received much praise. New to us they have not yet been fully trialled but for impatient gardeners we hope to have small numbers for sale from June onwards. From £4.50
*P. o. ‘Karley Rose’. A much vaunted new introduction bearing dusky pink feathery flower plumes for several months. A good doer, managing well on Marchants clay. 75cm. £4.80
*P. o. ‘Tall Tails’. See above. From £4.50
*P. thunbergii ‘Red Buttons’. A newish fountain grass with conspicuous, big bug sized copper-red flowers through summer. Has proved hardy here. 90cm. £4.50
*P. villosum. Spectacular, huge creamy-white tactile‘Caterpillar’ flowers, irresistible to kids. (and adults too!) Hardy here but gets its annual haircut in spring only. 50cm. £4.25
Images at the top of the page are ©Gardens Illustrated / Sharon Pearson