GRASSES

The grasses offered at the nursery are those known to perform well in the north of Scotland. Grasses add form and movement in the garden and many will extend the season, providing interest throughout the winter months. Particularly valuable in windy sites and indispensable in mixed border designs. They are tolerant of most soil conditions.

Achnatherum calamagrostis (syn. Stipa calamagrostis) Silver spear grass
Strong growing grass with abundant arching flower stems from mid summer, silver, turning tawny as they age. Height and spread to 1 m. Price Code G9

Anemanthele lessoniana (syn. Stipa arundinacea) - Pheasant grass
Good evergreen plant with shiny dark green leaves developing strong rich red and gold tints. In cold winters foliage will bleach. Cut back hard when this occurs. Flowerheads light and carried above main leaf clump (may self seed). Happiest in sun and sheltered site. Height 60 cm. Spread 1m. Price Code G9

Briza media - Quaking grass
Narrow evergreen clump of blue-green leaves from which are produced open panicles of golden locket-shaped spikelets on long stalks. These catch the wind and are good for flower arrangements. Height to 60 cm. Spread 30 cm. Price Code G9

Calamagrostis x acutiflora ' Karl Foerster'
Strong vertical grass. Semi-evergreen foliage eclipsed by abundant narrow flowerheads which, when dry, stand throughout the winter months. Height to 1.2m. Code GL.

Calamagrostis brachytricha (syn. Stipa brachytricha) - Diamond grass
An easy attractive grass, clumps of green leaves streaked, in spring and autumn, with russet, from which rise tall, pinkish-grey feathery flowerheads. Height to 1.2m, spread 80cm plus. Price Code G9

Calamagrostis emodensis
Unlike the previous two grasses, this Calamagrostis has extremely ornamental drooping flowerheads. Height to 1.5m

Carex atrata - The Jet sedge
Blue-green tidy foliage and decorative black, cylindrical, drooping flowerheads. Height 25cm, slowly spreading. Good for stabilizing banks. Price Code G9

Carex buchananii - Leather leaf sedge; Red fox sedge
An erect plant with almost cylindrical red-brown leaves which curl at the tips. Distinctive, but needs full sun to achieve the best colour. Height and spread 50 cm. Price Code G9

Carex comans 'Frosted Curls'
A mophead of a grass with long narrow leaves which curl as they grow and age. Good in upright containers or overhanging water or walls. Height 40 cm. Spread to 75 cm. Price Code G9

Carex dissita
A neat smooth green, tinged russet, grass with ornamental black seedheads. Height to 30cm.

Carex flagellifera
Evergreen clump forming mophead with ginger highlights. Height 50cm. Spread 60cm plus. Price Code G9

Carex oshimensis 'Variegata'
Evergreen variegated sedge. Broad creamy white stripe down midrib. Makes compact mound. Height to 15cm.

Carex pendula - Weeping sedge
Strong evergreen clumps of broad foliage and decorative pendulous flower heads. Best for wet ground and pond margins. Height to 1m, spreading.

Carex testacea
Evergreen mophead developing a rich orange colour when grown in full sun. Has brown flower spikes. Height and spread 50cm. Price Code G9

Carex trifida - Mutton bird sedge
Strong growing grass with broad, shiny bright green leaves. Forms impressive evergreen clump. Height to 1m. Price Code GL

Deschampsia flexuosa (syn. Avenella flexuosa) - Wavy hair grass
Dense clumps of narrow green leaves and silvery flower panicles. Happiest in acid soils, Can produce copious seed. Height 30cm, spread 25cm. Price Code G9

Deschampsia caespitose - Tufted hair grass
Dense neat clumps of arching slender leaves over which are held fluffy cloud-like panicles. Height and spread to 1m. Price Code G9

Elymus magellanicus
A striking blue leaved grass happiest in well drained soil. Height 80cm.

Eragrostis curvula - African or Weeping love grass
Fine deep green arching foliage and flower heads, with open airy panicles. Needs a warm sheltered position on fertile well drained soil. Height and spread to 75 cm plus. Price Code G9

Eragrostis elliottii - Blue love grass
Similar to above. Large clumps of very narrow foliage, best colour obtained in full sun. Abundant flower heads. Likes free draining soil. Height and spread to 80cm.

Eriophorum angustifolium - Cotton grass
A native grass, familiar with its fluffy white seedheads. Found in damp or wet places it spreads rapidly. Can be contained, and makes a striking feature during its flowering period. Height 25cm. Spreading. Price Code G9

Festuca amethystina - Sheep's fescue
Slender blue-green leaves which will display purple colouring after flowering. Violet flower spikelets held above the leaves. Height 45cm, spread 30cm. Price Code G9

Festuca glauca - Blue fescue
An excellent, intense blue, fescue. Dense wiry evergreen clumps of blue foliage, with light upright open flower heads appearing in late spring and maturing pale tan. Best colour develops in full sun and poor dry soil. Height and spread 30cm. Price Code G9

Hakonechloa macra
Deciduous grass. Drooping deep green leaves turn shades of orange and red in autumn. Cut back as new leaves emerge. Height 30cm, spread 40cm. Price Code G9

Hordeum jubatum - Foxtail barley or squirrel tail grass
Perennial usually grown as an annual. Highly decorative flowerheads. May self-seed. Height 75cm. Spread 40cm. Price Code G9

Hystrix patula - bottle brush grass
Notable for its upright bottlebrush shaped flower spikes. These persist well into winter. Height 1m. Spread 40cm. Price Code G9

Melica altissima 'Atropurpurea' - Siberian melic
A loose upright clump of bright green leaves from early spring. In summer one-sided purple flower heads are freely borne. Despite its frail appearance withstands wind well. Height to 1m. Spread 60 cm plus. Price Code G9

Melica uniflora 'Variegata'
Variegated melic bearing delicate, narrow flowerheads in spring. Height to 40cm, slowly spreading.

Milium effusum 'Aureum' - Bowles' golden grass
A soft yellow grass to brighten any partially shaded area. Best cut down in early spring. Height to 60cm, spread 40cm. Price Code G9

Miscanthus sacchariflorus
Strong, spreading miscanthus, requiring full sun and damp soil. This far north its robust nature is somewhat tempered, but can reach impressive heights in a good summer. Height to 2m plus. Spreading.

Flowering of many Miscanthus cultivars will not occur this far north; some may not flower reliably. I am presently growing a number of cultivars to establish those that will flower well here. The following Chinese Silver Grass are presently offered:

M. sinensis 'Flamingo'
Early to flower with lovely fluffy, pink-tinged plumes. Slender foliage. Height to1m.

M. sinensis 'Gracillimus'
A fountain of graceful narrow foliage, best placed to give it room to show itself off! Can flower in warm summers and sheltered sites. Height 1.2 - 1.5m.

M. sinensis 'Morning Light'
Slender, upright leaves edged with white. Good in containers. Can flower in warm summers and sheltered sites. Height 1 - 1.2m.

M. sinensis 'Silberfeder'
Strong miscanthus with striking silver flowerheads. Height to 1.75m

M. sinensis 'Sirene'
Tall with long broad ribbon-like foliage held aloft on strong stems. Striking throughout winter. Height 1.2m plus.

M. sinensis 'Zebrinus'
Strong upright stems with arching foliage striped with cream bands. Needs sun to develop good banding. Height 1.2m.

Miscanthus transmorrisonensis - Taiwanese miscanthus
Narrow glossy dark green leaves form dense clumps from which tawny flower heads rise to be held high above the foliage. Height to 1.5m. Steadily clumps up.

Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea 'Transparent'
Slim clump forming grass with light airy panicles on strong stems. Height to 1.6m.

Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea 'Windspiel'
Light green foliage from which rise numerous stems holding large open heads of dancing spikelets, these catch the wind and shimmer throughout the summer. Flowerheads break off in early winter. Height 1.5 - 1.75m.

Sesleria heufleriana - Green moor grass
Spring flowering grass with evergreen leaves, silvery beneath, which makes a compact mound. Metallic purple flowering spikes held high above the foliage. Height and spread 30cm. Price Code G9

Sesleria nitidia (syn Sesleria glauca) Grey moor grass
Attractive evergreen grass, with long smooth grey-green leaves forming sturdy clumps. Flowers are held high above the foliage in spring. Height to 60 cm. Price Code GL

Stipa barbata 'Silver Feather'
Very ornamental upright grass producing long featherlike awns which release a sharp seed. Does not tolerate competition. Height and spread 75 cm.

Stipa capillata 'Lace Veil'
Dense clumps of erect grey-green foliage with many silvery flowerheads held stiffly above the leaves. Height and spread 60 cm. Price Code G9

Stipa gigantea - Spanish oat grass
Spectacular specimen plant. A clump of dense evergreen narrow leaves give rise to numerous long strong stems bearing large golden spikelets which catch the sun and wind. These last into autumn. Height to 2.2 m. Spread 1m plus.

Stipa pennata
Tight clumps of needle thin foliage and flowerheads comprised of long feathery awns streaming out. Place in an open position to appreciate it at its best. Height to 80cm, spread 40cm.

Stipa pulcherrima
Similar to Stipa barbata, with fuller flowers which are held on mass to give a fabulous display, sadly only lasting a few weeks in summer. Height and spread to 1.2m

Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails'
A true evergreen needlegrass. Fine bright green leaves form an arching clump from which feathery plumes are produced in abundance. The whole plant responds to the slightest breeze. Elegant and very tempting to touch. Good in containers. Height and spread to 60 cm. Price Code G9

Uncinia egremontiana - Orange hook sedge
Low clump-forming grass with rich mahogany coloured foliage.
Abundant seedheads produced, and will seed where happy. Does best in sun. Height and spread to 30cm.

Last updated: 19 February, 2012