Ornamental Grasses

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola', commonly known as Japanese Forest Grass, is a graceful, clump-forming ornamental grass that brings movement, texture, and vibrant color to shady garden spaces. Its arching, bamboo-like leaves are boldly striped in golden yellow with green margins, creating a luminous effect, especially in low light. In cooler months, the foliage may take on pink or reddish hues, adding seasonal interest.

This compact perennial typically reaches 30–45 cm in height and spreads slowly to form mounded drifts that soften edges and complement neighboring plants. It thrives in part shade to full shade, making it perfect for woodland gardens, shaded borders, or underplanting shrubs and trees. It prefers moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil, though it is tolerant of a range of conditions once established, as long as it’s not too dry or exposed to harsh sun.

‘Aureola’ is particularly effective when planted in groups or used as a foliage contrast alongside hostas, ferns, or heucheras. Its low maintenance, non-invasive nature, and year-round appeal make it a reliable and stylish choice for both modern and traditional garden designs.

Carex testacea, commonly known as orange New Zealand sedge, is a striking ornamental grass prized for its fine, arching foliage that shifts from olive-green to coppery-orange tones, intensifying in colder months. This evergreen perennial adds year-round texture and color to the garden, particularly in autumn and winter. Compact and clump-forming, it typically grows to around 30–50 cm tall and wide, making it ideal for borders, rock gardens, gravel gardens, or containers.

Carex testacea thrives in full sun to partial shade, though its orange hues are most vibrant in sunnier spots. It prefers well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for low-maintenance and xeriscape gardens.

It pairs well with other grasses, perennials, or architectural plants and is perfect for modern or naturalistic planting schemes. This versatile grass requires minimal upkeep—simply remove old foliage in spring to keep it looking fresh and tidy.

Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal', commonly known as switchgrass, is a robust and ornamental perennial grass native to North America. This cultivar is prized for its striking, upright growth and steel-blue foliage that adds texture and colour to garden landscapes. 'Heavy Metal' typically reaches a height of 1.2 to 1.5 metres, forming a dense clump that remains sturdy throughout the growing season.

The foliage of 'Heavy Metal' is a distinctive blue-green, turning to a bright golden-yellow in the autumn, providing seasonal interest. Its leaves are narrow and arching, creating a fine-textured appearance that contrasts well with broader-leaved plants. In late summer, this switchgrass produces airy, pink-tinged flower panicles that rise above the foliage, adding a delicate, wispy quality to its overall form. These flower panicles eventually turn to a silvery hue as they mature, providing additional visual appeal and winter interest.

'Heavy Metal' is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly resilient. It thrives in a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils, and can tolerate both dry and moist conditions once established. It is well-suited for full sun exposure, where it achieves the best foliage colour and growth. Additionally, this grass is drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and resistant to most pests and diseases, making it an excellent choice for sustainable gardening.

Beyond its ornamental uses, Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' is also valued for its ecological benefits. It provides habitat and food for various wildlife, including birds and beneficial insects. Its deep root system helps in soil stabilization and erosion control, contributing to healthier ecosystems.

Overall, Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' is a versatile, durable, and attractive addition to any garden, combining aesthetic beauty with ecological functionality.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Zebra' is a popular ornamental grass that would be a great addition to any tree nursery website. Here's some information you may want to include:

1. Plant description: Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Zebra' is a dwarf ornamental grass that grows to a height of 2-3 feet and a spread of 1-2 feet. It features narrow green leaves with distinctive horizontal yellow stripes.

2. Growth habit: This grass has a clumping growth habit and is non-invasive. It is slow to spread, making it a great choice for smaller gardens or landscapes.

3. Landscape use: 'Little Zebra' is a versatile grass that can be used in a variety of landscape settings. It makes a great accent plant in borders or mixed beds, and can also be used to add texture and interest to containers or rock gardens.

4. Care and maintenance: Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Zebra' is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to care for. It prefers full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established, but will benefit from regular watering during the first growing season.

5. Seasonal interest: In late summer and early fall, 'Little Zebra' produces feathery plumes of reddish-brown flowers that rise above the foliage, providing a stunning display of color and texture.

6. Wildlife value: This grass provides habitat and food for a variety of wildlife, including birds and insects.

7. Winter interest: Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Zebra' provides winter interest with its dried foliage, which turns a golden-brown color and persists through the winter months.

Overall, Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Zebra' is a great choice for anyone looking to add a low-maintenance, ornamental grass to their landscape. Its unique striped foliage and seasonal interest make it a standout plant that is sure to impress.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Pink Cloud' is a superb choice for gardeners seeking an elegant, low-maintenance ornamental grass that brings movement, texture, and seasonal interest to the landscape. With its fine, arching green foliage and soft, airy plumes that emerge in late summer with a distinctive pink hue, it creates a delicate, cloud-like effect that adds visual softness to garden beds. As the seasons progress, the flowers fade to a silvery-white, remaining attractive well into winter and providing structure and contrast in dormant landscapes.

'Pink Cloud' typically reaches heights of 1.5 to 2 meters, making it ideal for mid-to-background planting in borders or as a graceful screen. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, tolerates drought once established, and is deer-resistant—an added bonus in many garden settings. This grass pairs beautifully with perennials, shrubs, or other grasses in both contemporary and naturalistic designs. In early spring, cutting back old growth allows the fresh, vibrant foliage to emerge cleanly.

Its long season of interest, combined with graceful form and easy care, makes Miscanthus sinensis 'Pink Cloud' a valuable and versatile garden plant.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus', commonly known as porcupine grass or Japanese silver grass, is a clump-forming, warm-season ornamental grass that is native to eastern Asia. It is a popular choice for gardeners who want to add texture and structure to their landscape design. This cultivar is distinguished by its upright growth habit and striking foliage. Its narrow leaves are green with yellow margins, and they grow in an evenly spaced, horizontal banding pattern that gives the plant a distinct porcupine-like appearance.

In autumn, the leaves turn golden brown, creating a stunning display of color in the garden. Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' can grow up to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide, making it a substantial plant that can be used as a specimen or in mass plantings. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant once established and requires minimal maintenance.

Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Overdam' is a striking, upright ornamental grass known for its refined appearance and architectural form. Reaching a height of about 1.2 to 1.5 meters in flower, it forms neat, vertical clumps of narrow green leaves edged with creamy-white margins. This variegated foliage brightens garden spaces from spring through autumn, providing a soft yet structured backdrop to other plants.

In early to midsummer, 'Overdam' produces tall, feathery flower plumes that emerge with a pinkish tinge before maturing to a warm golden-tan. These airy inflorescences rise well above the foliage, adding movement and height, and persist into winter, bringing seasonal interest and subtle texture even in dormant landscapes.

Unlike many grasses, 'Overdam' begins growth early in the season and remains tidy, making it ideal for formal borders, contemporary designs, or as a vertical accent in perennial beds. It performs best in full sun and well-drained soil and is tolerant of urban conditions, wind, and clay soils. Low-maintenance and deer-resistant, it only requires a spring cutback to prepare for new growth. ‘Overdam’ is a versatile, elegant choice for adding structure, brightness, and year-round appeal to gardens.

Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' is a standout cultivar of switchgrass, admired for its strong vertical form, durability, and multi-season appeal. Reaching heights of 1.5 to 1.8 meters, this upright ornamental grass features stiff, blue-green foliage that maintains its narrow, columnar shape even in wind and rain—hence the name 'Northwind'. Its architectural presence makes it ideal for adding structure and contrast in mixed borders, prairie plantings, or contemporary landscapes.

In late summer, 'Northwind' produces fine, airy panicles of golden flower heads that float gracefully above the foliage, catching light and movement. These turn to tan seedheads in autumn, providing food for birds and persistent winter interest. As the seasons progress, the foliage shifts from blue-green to shades of golden-yellow and tan, extending its ornamental value well into the colder months.

This native grass is hardy, drought-tolerant once established, deer-resistant, and low-maintenance. It thrives in full sun and adapts to a range of soil types, including clay. Cut back in late winter or early spring to refresh its growth. Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking bold structure, ecological benefit, and year-round beauty.

Molinia caerulea 'Moorflamme' is a compact and elegant ornamental grass celebrated for its upright habit, fine texture, and striking seasonal color changes. Typically growing to around 90–120 cm in height, it forms neat clumps of slender green leaves that remain fresh and tidy throughout the growing season. In late summer, it sends up tall, airy flower spikes tinged with purple that sway gracefully in the breeze, adding height and movement without bulk.

One of its standout features is its vibrant autumn transformation. As the season shifts, the foliage turns brilliant shades of golden yellow, providing a warm, glowing presence in borders, prairie-style plantings, or naturalistic gardens. The seedheads persist into winter, offering structural interest and subtle beauty even in the colder months.

'Moorflamme' thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil, though it tolerates a range of conditions once established. It's low-maintenance and deer-resistant, making it a reliable and attractive choice for gardeners. Its moderate size and refined appearance allow it to blend beautifully with perennials, other grasses, and shrubs in both formal and informal designs.