uc marin master gardeners - grassesblue green and attractive. flower stalks rise above foliage from...

5/16/2020 Plant Briefs

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UC Marin Master Gardeners - Grasses

Botanical Name: Acorus gramineus 'Ogon'Common Name: Ogon Japanese Sweet FlagPlant Type: Ground cover, Perennial, Grass, AquaticSun: Full, Half, ShadeWater: High, Extra in SummerThis perennial will grow about 6"-12" tall and slowlyspreads through rhizomes. It acts like a grass andgroundcover. Leaves are thin and variegated withyellow and green stripes. Flowers are consideredinsigni�cant. It can tolerate sun or shade but mustbe in moist soil. This plant can even tolerate beingin ponds. It does best in afternoon shade in warminland valleys.

Plant Height: Under 1', 1-3'Flower Color: n/aAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: Yellow Green, Yellow,VariegatedFlower Season: n/a

Botanical Name: Calamagrostis X acu. 'Karl Foerster'Common Name: Karl Foerster Feather Reed GrassPlant Type: GrassSun: Full, HalfWater: Medium, Extra in SummerThis ornamental perennial grass grows 4-6' tall x 1-1.5' wide and has semi-evergreen foliage that isgreen in spring and summer and turnsgreen/brown in fall. The �owers look like featheryplumes; they bloom in mid June and emerge a lightgreen but quickly turn to pink/purple. Flowers lookgreat in a dried �ower arrangement. This grassdoes well in full sun but will tolerate afternoonshade in warm, inland valleys. It needs regularwatering and fertile soil. Great for erosion controland in wet areas.

Plant Height: 3-6'Flower Color: Pink, PurpleAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: GreenFlower Season: Summer

Botanical Name: Calamagrostis foliosaCommon Name: Mendocino Reed GrassPlant Type: GrassSun: FullWater: LowCool-season bunchgrass native to northernCalifornia coastal scrub. Grows 1' tall and 2' wide,with arching blue-green foliage that often haspurple highlights. Silver-purple �ower heads appearmid-spring through early summer, turning a goldenwheat tone in fall. Plant along the coast in full sunor light shade inland in well-drained soil. Toleratesdrier conditions when grown in shade but looksbest with occasional to regular irrigation. Tolerateswind and salt spray and is resistant to predation byherbivores. Does NOT respond well to beingchopped back. Instead, divide existing clumps ...

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: WhiteAttracts Wildlife:Leaf Color:Flower Season: Spring, Summer

UC Marin Master Gardeners1682 Novato BlvdSuite 150BNovato, CA [email protected]



Botanical Name: Calamagrostis nutkaensisCommon Name: Paci�c Reed GrassPlant Type: GrassSun: Full, HalfWater: Low, MediumA large handsome bunch grass from the coastalregions of Monterey County to Alaska that formshuge tussocks in open moist meadows and oncoastal blu�s. It can also be found as an understoryat the edges of coniferous forests. Wide greenblades grow 2 - 3 ft. tall with �owering culms to 4 ft.Good background or accent plant for the woodlandor meadow. Will take full sun in somewhat coolerareas. Best with some summer water and partialshade inland. Deer resistant. -Cal Flora Nursery

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: WhiteAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: Grey GreenFlower Season: Spring, Summer

Botanical Name: Carex 'Frosty Curls'Common Name: Frosty Curls SedgePlant Type: GrassSun: Full, HalfWater: Medium, Extra in Summer'Frosty Curls' is an attractive grass sedge, that staysless than 1' tall and 2' wide. It can be planted in fullsun along the coast but needs afternoon shade inwarm inland valleys. It needs regular watering andcan be planted close to ponds or boggy areas. Rakethe "hair" once in a while. This plant needs regularwatering. Foliage is thin, silvery green, evergreenand shoots from a center point and recurves.Flowers are inconspicuous.

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: n/aAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: Light Green, SilverFlower Season: n/a

Botanical Name: Carex elata 'Aurea'Common Name: Bowles' Golden SedgePlant Type: Grass, AquaticSun: Full, HalfWater: Medium, Extra in SummerThis Sedge is a short ornamental grass the grows toabout 3' tall and wide. It grows in full sun, needingregular watering. If planted in partial shade, thisplant will need less watering; foliage will turn morelime green in shade. Foliage is evergreen, startingo� in spring as bright yellow, turning greendepending on amount of sun. May die back inwinter but will come back in spring. This grass willgrow in standing water thus making it useful forponds and boggy areas. In some areas, this plant isused as an annual.

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: n/aAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: Light Green, Yellow GreenFlower Season: n/a



Botanical Name: Carex pansaCommon Name: California Meadow SedgePlant Type: GrassSun: FullWater: Medium, Extra in SummerCA native Carex stays 6" or under and spreads up to2' by rhizomes. Can be used as a naturalistic lawnsubstitute. Requires signi�cant water to obtain goodcoverage, but once coverage is reached water canbe reduced and maintenance is close to zero.Unmowed, the plant can be used e�ectively in avariety of conditions. Prefers sandy soil.

Plant Height: Under 1'Flower Color: n/aAttracts Wildlife:Leaf Color:Flower Season: n/a

Botanical Name: Carex testaceaCommon Name: Orange or Brown SedgePlant Type: Perennial, GrassSun: FullWater: MediumThe testacea variety is an evergreen perennial thatreaches 2' tall bearing very narrow, coppery brownleaves splitting to hair-like threads at their tips, andcontinuing to grow to 4-8' in length. This plantshould be grown in sun with little or no summerwatering. During winter, foliage turns orange. If thisgrass is planted in shade, foliage stays green.Flowers are insigni�cant. Orange Sedge looks greatin containers or spilling over near walkways or intowater features.

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: n/aAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: Bronze, Brown, Green, OrangeFlower Season: n/a

Botanical Name: Chasmanthium latifoliumCommon Name: Northern Sea OatsPlant Type: Perennial, GrassSun: HalfWater: HighThis perennial grass can quickly reach 2'-3' high and2' wide. Leaves resemble bamboo leaves, turningcopper colored in fall and then brown in winter.During summer, �at, dangling, reddish �ower spikesappear at the end of curved thin branches. Flowersare wonderful for arrangements. This grass doesbest in part sun with constantly moist soil. It doeswell near a pond or wet areas. It tolerates oceanspray.

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: RedAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: GreenFlower Season: Summer



Botanical Name: Deschampsia cespitosaCommon Name: Tufted Hair GrassPlant Type: Perennial, GrassSun: Full, Half, ShadeWater: LowThe tufted hairgrass is a warm season, clumpinggrass that grows 10" tall with summer �owers thatreach to 2' tall. This grass tolerates partial shadeand heavy clay soils. It is good in watersideplantings and for mountain area meadows. Thisgrass is a California native and is a bene�cial insectplant. Flowers are insigni�cant.

Plant Height: 3-6'Flower Color: YellowAttracts Wildlife: WildlifeLeaf Color: GreenFlower Season: Summer

Botanical Name: Festuca 'Siskyou Blue'Common Name: Siskyou Blue FescuePlant Type: GrassSun: Full, HalfWater: Very Low, LowSiskiyou Blue Fescue quickly reaches 1' tall and 2'wide, with a clumping habit. Foliage is needle-like,blue green and attractive. Flower stalks rise abovefoliage from spring through summer but areconsidered insigni�cant. This plant is grown for itsfoliage. This grass does best in full to part sun withwell draining soil. It attracts butter�ies and birds.Very reliable and hardy. Low water use.

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: n/aAttracts Wildlife: Birds, Butter�iesLeaf Color: Blue GreenFlower Season: n/a

Botanical Name: Festuca maireiCommon Name: Atlas FescuePlant Type: GrassSun: Full, HalfWater: LowA long-lived evergreen clumping grass that formsfountain-like mounds to 18 to 24 inches tall andwide with yellowish gray-green foliage. Plant in fullsun or part shade in a well-drained soil withoccasional to regular irrigation - this plant is fairlydrought tolerant when established but looks better(with fewer brown tips with occasional water) whenwatered regularly. It is quite cold hardy as adormant grass (USDA Zone 4) and stays evergreenin warmer climates. It is tolerant of diverse soiltypes and does not need to be cut back, butbene�ts from a spring raking to remove older foli ...

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: n/aAttracts Wildlife:Leaf Color:Flower Season: Summer



Botanical Name: Festuca rubraCommon Name: Creeping Red Fescue, Red FescuePlant Type: Ground cover, GrassSun: Full, Half, ShadeWater: Medium, Extra in SummerCreeping Red Fescue is not red but dark green. It isa great ground cover kept at longer lengths forbanks. It is very shade tolerant and lush looking.This is a great substitute for lawns as it doesn'tneed to be mowed. It does best in cool summerareas but will tolerate shade in hot inland areas.Hair-like blades reach 1'-2' tall. It does best withsandy or loam soil that is well draining and acidic.This fescue attracts wildlife. Great for erosioncontrol. It tolerates cold but not heat. It needsmoderate amount of water and more during hotspells.

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: n/aAttracts Wildlife: WildlifeLeaf Color: Dark GreenFlower Season: n/a

Botanical Name: Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'Common Name: Japanese Forest Grass, HakoneGrassPlant Type: GrassSun: HalfWater: Medium, Extra in SummerThis weeping grass has amazing foliage: long thingreen leaves have gold edgings. It can slowly reach15" tall and spread about 24", with a clumpinghabit. Yellow green �owers appear in summer. Sunrequirements are a bit tricky: the variation in leavesare more pronounced in sun but this grass burns inhot summer areas. In complete deep shade, thegold edges turn to lime green. Thus, it does best incool summer areas. Leaves turn pinkish in fall. Itdoes best in well draining, fertile, moist soil. Mayneed to water more during hot summer months.Prune leaves in winter. A beautiful grass t ...

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: Green, YellowAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: Gold, Green, VariegatedFlower Season: Spring

Botanical Name: Helictotrichon sempervirensCommon Name: Blue Oat GrassPlant Type: Perennial, GrassSun: Full, HalfWater: LowThe Blue Oat Grass is an evergreen, blue clumpinggrass that grows 2' tall and 3' wide. Foliage is thinblue gray, wiry leaves that radiate from center ofplant. Its showy tan �owers are on spikes 1'-2'above the foliage (�owers more common in coolerwinter areas). This plant looks good alone as well asin mass plantings. It does well in full sun or lightshade. Established plants need only occasionalwatering. It does best with well draining soil. Theblue oat grass likes dry hill sides.

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: WhiteAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: Blue Green, Grey GreenFlower Season: Summer



Botanical Name: Juncus patensCommon Name: California Gray RushPlant Type: GrassSun: Full, Half, ShadeWater: Low, MediumAlthough a wetland plant, Juncus patens cantolerate fairly dry conditions. It will slowly clump to2'-3' wide and tall. It tolerates full sun to full shade.This California native can adapt to various wateringneeds: it can be planted in a pond or used in dryshade or full sun with occasional irrigation. Thisattractive perennial, mostly thought of as a grass,has thin, gray green, vertical stems. Leaves lookslike small brown sleeves near the plant base andcan have a sharp edge. This is a great plant forcontainers and dry shade. It is deer resistant. It hasspreading rhizomes. Mostly g ...

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: n/aAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: Grey GreenFlower Season: n/a

Botanical Name: Lomandra 'Platinum Beauty'Common Name: Platinum Beauty™ LomandraPlant Type: GrassSun: Full, HalfWater: LowThis perennial grass reaches about 3' in height.Leaves are glossy green with white variegation,shiny, �rm, �at. Each cluster has a sharp, slender,straw-colored bract at its base, which gives it adense spike-like structure. It �owers in latewinter/early spring, with fruiting 1-2 months after�owering. The plant is tolerant of sandy, loamy andclay soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland)or no shade. It is a low water needing plant.

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: YellowAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: Dark Green, White, VariegatedFlower Season: Summer

Botanical Name: Lomandra longifolia 'Breeze'Common Name: Dwarf Mat RushPlant Type: GrassSun: Full, HalfWater: LowThis perennial grass reaches about 3' in height.Leaves are glossy green, shiny, �rm, �at. Thescented �owers are pollinated by beetles. Eachcluster has a sharp, slender, straw-colored bract atits base, which gives it a dense spike-like structure.It �owers in late winter/early spring, with fruiting 1-2 months after �owering. The plant is tolerant ofsandy, loamy and clay soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It is a low waterneeding plant.

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: YellowAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: Dark GreenFlower Season: Summer



Botanical Name: Miscanthus sinensisCommon Name: Eulalia Grass, Japanese Silver GrasPlant Type: Perennial, GrassSun: FullWater: Medium, Extra in SummerMiscanthus sinensis is popular ornamental grass.Red �owers are held well above foliage clumps,appearing in summer, and may be cut for fresh ordry arrangements. This plant is highly invasive andreally should not be planted in many parts ofCalifornia. Go to www.rightplant.org to get moreregional info. Miscanthus needs full sun andwatering at least once a week and more during hotsummers. Foliage is variegated, with a thin whiteband down the center. This grass does great incoastal as well as warm inland valleys.

Plant Height: 3-6', 6-12'Flower Color: RedAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: Green, White, VariegatedFlower Season: Summer

Botanical Name: Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Kitten'Common Name: Dwarf Silver Eulalia GrassPlant Type: Perennial, GrassSun: Full, HalfWater: Low, Extra in SummerDwarf Eulalia Grass is a terri�c residential gardenperformer. It's moderate size, 1.5' feet tall and wide,making it a perfect size for a shrub border. It throwsup white spike �owers 2.5 ' tall and wide that lastfor 2 months in the winter months or late fall.

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: WhiteAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: Green, SilverFlower Season: Winter, Fall

Botanical Name: Miscanthus sinensis 'MorningLight'Common Name: Morning Light Silver GrassPlant Type: GrassSun: Full, HalfWater: Medium, Extra in SummerThe 'Morning Light' is also a taller variety, growingto 6'-8' tall and 4'-5' wide. It has delicate featheryplumes and very thin graceful leaves. This is avariegated form with white leaf margins thatshimmer in sun. It should receive sun to part shade,and average watering but more during hot spells.This plant looks better with more irrigation. Tallgrasses are highly combustible.

Plant Height: 6-12'Flower Color: RedAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: Green, Silver, White, VariegatedFlower Season: Summer, Fall



Botanical Name: Miscanthus transmorrisonensisCommon Name: Evergreen EulaliaPlant Type: GrassSun: Full, HalfWater: Very Low, Extra in SummerThis grass will reach 2.5'-3.5' tall and has narrow,green leaves. Eulalia will arch and have an 8' widespread. Golden �ower spikes appear in spring,lasting through winter, shooting up 6' tall. Eulalia isdrought tolerant once it's established but giveoccasional water to spruce it up. It prefers full topart sun. Give this grass some width area.

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: GoldAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: GreenFlower Season: Winter, Spring, Summer,Fall

Botanical Name: Muhlenbergia capillarisPlumetastic®Common Name: Pink Muhly 'Plumetastic®'Plant Type: Shrub, GrassSun: FullWater: MediumPlumetastic Muhly Stately has very showy foliage,with exceptional upright and slightly arching form.Glittering clouds of vivid purple plumes emerge inlate summer and persist through fall. Lends farricher color and more uniform bloom than others ofits type. Outstanding texture for specimen plant oren masse in borders, meadows and native gardens.Wonderful planted in mass with a solid wallbackground to highlight the �owers. Also attractiveplantedin the open next to a pond or pool. Thedelicate, airy �owers wave and shimmer in thewind. This plant is versatile and can be mixed into ...

Plant Height: 1-3', 3-6'Flower Color: PinkAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: GreenFlower Season: Fall

Botanical Name: Muhlenbergia dubiaCommon Name: Pine MuhlyPlant Type: GrassSun: FullWater: Very LowThis attractive grass reaches 3' tall (with blooms)and wide. Foliage is narrow, green, and evergreen.This plant forms a clump with erect, tan �owersspikes in summer and fall. It prefers full sun in welldraining soil. It is drought tolerant once it'sestablished. Heat and cold tolerant.

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: WhiteAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: GreenFlower Season: Summer, Fall



Botanical Name: Muhlenbergia rigensCommon Name: Deer GrassPlant Type: GrassSun: Full, HalfWater: LowFast-growing, warm season perennial grass withdense, handsome, mounded form. Spike-like �owerstalks rise 2'-3' above foliage in summer. Good onbanks of seasonal creeks, along roads or in gullieswhere runo� forms in winter. Prefers sun, not pickyabout soil, and looks best with water once or twicea month once it's established. Very long-lived.

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: n/aAttracts Wildlife:Leaf Color:Flower Season: Summer

Botanical Name: Panicum virgatumCommon Name: Switch GrassPlant Type: Perennial, GrassSun: FullWater: HighThis perennial grass will grow 3-6' tall and 2-3' wide.It has narrow, deep green and gray green leaveswith slender, light-colored �owers (panicles) thatbloom in midsummer. During fall, foliage turnsyellow with hints of orange, then turning tancolored in winter. Panicles are source of food forbirds during winter. This grass prefers full sun withwet, sandy or clay soil. It's a great plant for water orbog gardens. Cut back to the ground in early springto keep it tidy.

Plant Height: 3-6'Flower Color: WhiteAttracts Wildlife: BirdsLeaf Color: Green, Grey GreenFlower Season: Summer

Botanical Name: Sesleria autumnalisCommon Name: Autumn Moor GrassPlant Type: GrassSun: FullWater: MediumA small, mounding grass with yellow-green leavesthat reaches 12" high. In the fall, it sends up narrow�ower stems that have a silvery-white in�orescence.When planted in masses, it has a strikingappearance. It is drought tolerant.

Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: WhiteAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: Green, Light Green, YellowGreenFlower Season: Fall

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uc marin master gardeners - grassesblue green and attractive. flower stalks rise above foliage from...

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