The clumps or rosettes of narrow leaves are a good contrast to broad foliage and the usually light, feathery flower heads provide a foil for bright colours; many species give yellow or pale brown autumn and winter colours. Generally easy to grow.
BRIZA, Poaceae.
media ‘Russells’ Quaking Grass, new variety with leaves edged silvery white, masses of dainty mauve-tinted flower heads which dance in the wind, 2’ £2.80
CALAMAGROSTIS, Poaceae.
acutiflora ‘Overdam’ Conspicuous cream variegated form of this strongly vertical grass, feathery brown flower heads fading to grey, 5’, 1.5 litres £4.50
epigejos Attractive native grass with fluffy spikes to 5’ from June to August £2.80
CAREX, Cyperaceae.
The Sedges provide lush shiny greenery and interesting flowers in damp soil.
*baccans Striking rare species for mild gardens or cool greenhouse, bright evergreen arching leaves and large bunches of orange fruits maturing dark red, 2’ £2.50
duthei Rare dwarf species from Nepal, drooping black flower heads to 12’’ £2.80
muskingumensis ‘Little Midge’ New dwarf Palm Sedge making a dense 12’’ mound of narrow horizontal leaves that droop at the ends, unique effect £3.20
CHIONOCHLOA, Poaceae.
conspicua Superb large species worthy of a prominent position, loose arching cream plumes to 6’ are effective from midsummer onwards, large plants in 3 litre pots £7.50
CYPERUS, Cyperaceae.
eragrostis This hardy papyrus is a particularly fresh bright shade of green, attractive flower heads to 2’6’’ £2.50
*‘Cally Proliferous’ Curious plant that I collected in Lesotho, the conspicuous large flower heads combine sprays of reddish flowers with small proliferous plants that can be detached and grown on, lush bright green clump to 4’ £2.50
DESCHAMPSIA, Poaceae.
caespitosa ‘Goldschleier’ Tufted Hair Grass, graceful golden yellow plumes that turn straw yellow by late summer, 1.5 litres £4.50
flexuosa ‘Willow Green’ This scarce compact variety always attracts attention, bright yellow hair-like leaves with contrasting purple flower spikes opening to silvery panicles, 18’’ £3.20
FARGESIA, Poaceae.
murieliae ‘Simba’ Perhaps the best bamboo for smaller gardens, slowly makes a graceful 6’ x 6’ light green clump, litres £5.80
robusta Another useful non-invasive bamboo with conspicuous white sheaths enclosing the new leaves, upright growth to 10’, litres £7.50
rufa Colourful recent introduction with blue-green foliage and pinkish orange sheaths along the canes, 8’, litres £7.50
HAKONECHLOA, Poaceae.
macra The unvariegated species is less often seen than ‘Aureola’ but has much to recommend it, gracefully arching bluish green leaves turn golden brown in autumn, 15’’ £2.80
MILIUM, Poaceae.
effusum ‘Aureum’ Bowles’ Golden Grass, beautiful in spring and early summer with soft yellow leaves and flowers, 18’’ £2.50
e. ‘Yaffle’ Wood Millet, this variety has fresh green leaves each with a prominent yellow central stripe, graceful pale arching flower heads in early summer, 2’ £2.80
MISCANTHUS, Poaceae.
Many of the best larger ornamental grasses are to be found here, the clumps increase slowly and are particularly effective in winter as the stout stems and bleached pale brown foliage persist until spring.
sinensis ‘Hinjo’ (‘Little Nicky’)The leaves of this variety are cross-banded pale yellow, like a dwarf ‘Zebrinus’, 3’, 1.5 litres £4.20
sinensis ‘Variegatus’ This old variety is still one of the best large variegated grasses, leaves broadly edged white, 5’, divisions £4.20
s. ‘Yaku Jima’ Outstanding free-flowering compact variety collected on Yaku Jima Island, Japan, a symmetrical 3’ rounded mound of narrow leaves often tinted pinkish purple in full sun, bears a profusion of pale silvery brown flower spikes above the leaves in autumn, divisions £4.50
MOLINIA, Poaceae.
caerulea Purple Moor Grass, purple flower heads in late summer that turn pale brown or yellow and persist into winter, best in soil that does not dry out, three varieties offered:
c. ‘Fontane’ Heavy arching purple plumes, 6’, 1.5 litres £4.50
c. ‘Skyracer’ New cultivar making a fountain of slightly arching 7’ stems bearing pale mauve flowers in late summer, golden autumn colour, divisions £3.80
c. ‘Strahlenquelle’ Narrow upright growth with slim purple flower spikes to 3’, 1.5 litres £4.20
PHALARIS, Poaceae.
arundinaceae ‘Feesey’s Form’ This non-invasive form of Gardeners’ Garters is also more heavily striped white, to 5’ in flower £2.50
SACCHARUM, Poaceae.
baldwinii (Erianthus strictus) Strongly upright with long narrow plumes drying silver, 6’, red and orange autumn colour £3.20
contortum (Erianthus contortus) Narrow vertical plumes to 7’, red and purple autumn colour lasting into winter £3.20
SHIBATAEA, Poaceae.
kumasasa Delightful non-invasive compact bamboo with slightly arching 4’ stems well covered with broad dark green leaves, long cultivated in traditional Japanese gardens, divisions £4.50
STIPA, Poaceae.
capillata Delicate flower heads with long silvery bristles on arching stems, late summer, 2’6” £2.80
lessingiana Feathery plumes with 8’’ bristles over open 18’’ clumps of hair-fine leaves, 2’6’’ £2.50
UNCINIA, Cyperaceae.
rubra Dense clumps of narrow leaves which are a startling bronze red all year, 12’’ £3.20
