Grasses
I was finally able to peruse the newest Fine Gardening, and read the grasses article with interest. There are a couple grasses I have not seen before that sound like I could grow them in my zone 3 gardens. The first is the 'hercules' miscanthus and the other is foxtail barley. (hordeum jubatum). Miscanthus Is a hit or miss situation. Some will survive, some will not, but I've never seen the foxtail barley. Has anyone had experience with either of these?
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(post #12035, reply #1 of 4)
Hey! Debio! Greetings from balmy central WI!
I think the barley will be a possible self-seeding annual for you. I am not familiar with this barley, but that is what barley is. Farmers grow barley as a crop, generally as a cover crop.
As for the miscanthus s. 'Hercules', I have been looking at that one also, thinking it might be a goody. Olbrich had it this year, but I think it might be too new to have much of a track record.
A couple things I have found, ornamental grasses, for the most part do not like clay. WI having this split personality between clay and sand, not sure what you are working with, or whether you just bring in decent soil.
In your zone though, I would try carex (the natives are probably hardier, although I love 'Ice Dance'), acorus (sweet flag-- which looks very grass-like), Siberian Iris (Caesar's Brother is a great one, for its grass-like form and its great seed head), and as for true grasses, the native panicum virgatum which has the best cold-hardiness, and then Heavy Metal, although Dewey Blue might be very good too. I've been looking at panicum 'Northwind' (again at Olbrich). Stay away from the "red" panicums, at least to start, I'm not having particular success with those.
Miscanthus gracillimus, malepartus, and the sinesis 'Purple Flame Grass' are great for us (although people south of us are going to be jumping up and down on this list screaming "Invasive!" with out short growing season the seed head (if any) don't have time to fully ripen.
The Japanese silver grasses probably won't work for you at all, and I would stay away from the barred miscanthuses.
Fescue 'Elijah Blue' is nice. The juncus proibably work too.
What I see that determines success more than anything else is drainage, and when you plant it as to being sure it gets established, and when you cut them back, if you cut them back at all. A lot of grasses like their water, too surprisingly.
I don't recommend hakone grass.
Gosh, I didn't realize how many grasses I have had lots of experience with! In zone 3, Debio I would start with the native carex, panicum, feather reed grasses and other native grasses (a couple more that slip my mind)-- look around your countryside and branch out from there.
In the spring, I'll share, if you come by this way.
(post #12035, reply #2 of 4)
Olivia, thank you so much for your info. Surprisingly enough some of the grasses you mentioned that might not make it HAVE! It surprises me too. Esp. the zebra/porcupine what have you, miscanthus. I have two clumps that are not thriving exactly, but are growing and have been for several years. I have had great luck with all of the Panicums. Every one that I have planted is doing great.... Shanendoah, heavy metal, Northwind and I think one more. Love those! Miscanthus is certainly a hit or miss, I don't get too brave about them, I have had several die. Dont know why the barred ones are growing. Maybe because I don't expect them to!
We mostly have clay soil, but I have a patch that is sandy. My grasses are growing in the clay area, and seem to do mostly fine. I have decided that I can't memorize all of the names of all of my plants, so I do call them a variety of things. I have a native grass called side oat grama that is great, also Indian grass. Not sure what the species is, as the gal I got them from didn't really know either. Karl Forester grows great, and I got another type of the K.F. grass that is more silvery this year in Mpls. Well see how it does through our winter here.
I have some lovely Prairie Dropseed, that is so nice, I enjoy petting it's long hair :D It almost looks like some of those Japanese grasses that lay on the ground. Also the Blue Oat grass and the Big and Little Bluestems. And Elijah blue does fine as well.
I am aware of what barley is and all, ( I grew up in Southern WI, and my dad was a grain farmer) I just didn't know if it was an actual grain crop- that foxtail one, or if it was another type of grass that happens to have barley in it's common name, though it really isn't. It did not get good reviews on the net, lots of comments about reseeding and the word invasive weed comes up a lot. Why oh why do magazines show plants like that - esp. if they are a nuisance in many many areas?? Oh well, buyer beware.
I am really looking forward to spring! I may have to take a personal day in May sometime and make a big road trip and meet up with you. Thanks so much!!!
(post #12035, reply #3 of 4)
The calamagrostis are one of the grasses that like clay, so maybe you should be looking more in that genus, trying ones like Avalanche and Overdam.
(post #12035, reply #4 of 4)
Overdam! That is one of the ones I just got this summer over in Mpls! Im interested to see how it does this winter. It grew well this past summer, esp. for such a dry season. ;D I will look for the other one, too. Thanks! debio