GRASSES

The grasses offered at the nursery are those which are 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.

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. Tolerant of a range of soils and positions. Price Code GM

Ampelodesmos mauritanica
Large clump forming grass for a sunny position. Tough rigid leaves and tall plumes of yellow and purple flower heads. Likes poor soil. Height to 2m. Price Code GM

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

Briza media - Quaking grass
Narrow evergreen clump of bluegreen leaves from which are produced open panicles of locketshaped spikelets on long stalks. These catch the wind and are good for flower arrangements. Likes sun and average soil. Height to 60 cm. Spread 30 cm. Price Code GA

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

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, pinkishgrey feathery flowerheads. Happy in most soils in sun or part shade. Height to 1.2m, spread 80cm plus. Price Code GL

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

Carex atrata - The Jet sedge
Bluegreen tidy foliage and decorative black, cylindrical drooping flowerheads. Height 25cm, slowly spreading. Price Code GB

Carex buchananiiLeather leaf sedge; Red fox sedge
An erect plant with almost cylindrical redbrown leaves which curl at the tips. Distinctive, but needs full sun to achieve the best colour. Happy in most soils, particularly moist, best in sheltered sites in full sun. In cold areas may need some winter protection. Height and spread 50 cm. Price Code GA

Carex comans 'Frosted curls'
A mophead of a grass with long narrow leaves which curl as they grow and age. A good presence throughout the year, but especially in winter. Doesn't ever really need tidying up!. Good in upright containers or overhanging water or walls. Happy in most soils, particularly moist, in sun. Height 40 cm. Spread to 75 cm. Price Code GA

Carex flagellifera
Evergreen clump forming mophead with ginger highlights. Likes sun, also tolerates partshade, and average moisture retaining soil. Height 50cm. Spread 60cm plus. Price Code GL

Carex oshimensis 'Variegata'
Evergreen varigated sedgel. Broad creamy white stripe down midrib. Makes compact mound, [particularly eyecatching in mid winter. Height and spread 2530cm.

Carex pendula Weeping sedge
Strong evergreen clumps of broad foliage and decorative pendulous flower heads. Best for wet ground and pond margins. Tolerent of water depth to 30cm. Height to 1m, spreading.

Carex testacea
Evergreen mophead developing a richer orange colour when grown in full sun. Has brown flower spikes. Enjoys average moisture retaining soil. Height and spread 50cm. Price Code GL

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

Cortaderia selloana 'Pumila'
A dwarf pampas grass with showy plumes throughout late autumn and winter. Plant in open position, avoid very windy sites. Height to 1.5m plus, spread 1m plus.

Deschampsia flexuosa (syn. Avenella flexuosa) - Wavy hair grass
Dense clumps of narrow green leaves and silvery flower panicles. Happiest in acid soils, but will tolerate average soil, in sun or shade. Can produce copious seed. Height 30cm, spread 25cm. Price Code GA

Deschampsia caespitose Tufted hair grass
Dense neat clumps of arching slender leaves over which are held fluffy cloudlike panicles. Happy in all soils, especially moist, in sun or part shade. May seed in warm summers. Height and spread to 1m. Price Code GA

Elymus magellanicus (syn Agropyron magellanicum
A striking blue leaved grass happiest in dryish conditions in well drained soil. Height 1 m plus. Slow spreader. Price Code GM

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 welldrained soil. Dislikes winter wet - good on sunny slopes. Cut back in spring. Height to 1m. Spread 75 cm plus. Price Code GL

Eragrostis elliottii - Blue love grass
Large clumps of very narrow foliage, best colour obtained in full sun. Abundant flower heads. Likes freedraining soil and given space to perform. Height and spread to 80cm.

Eriophorum angustifolium - Cotton grass
A native grass, familiar with its fluffy white seedhead. 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 GB

Festuca amethystina - Sheep's fescue
Slender bluegreen leaves which will display purple colouring after flowering. Violet flower spikelets held above the leaves. Needs full sun and welldrained soil. Height 45cm, spread 30cm. Price Code GA

Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue'
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. Does not tolerate wet soil in winter. Height and spread 30cm. Price Code GA

Hakonechloa macra
Deciduous grass. Drooping deep green leaves turn shades of orange and red in autumn. Enjoys moisture retaining soil, happy in sun or partshade. Height 30cm, spread 40cm. Price Code GB

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

Hystrix patula - bottle brush grass
Notable for its upright bottlebrush shaped flower spikes. These persist well into winter. Happy in average soils and tolerant of light shade. Height 1m. Spread 40cm. Price Code GB

Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra' Japanese blood grass
Striking red leaved grass. Best in sun and, as it is a creeping grass, ideal for pot culture. Height 20cm. Price Code GB

Melica altissima 'Atropurpurea' Siberian melic
A loose upright clump of bright green leaves from early spring. In summer onesided purple flower heads are freely borne. Despite its frail appearance withstands wind well. Good with early bulbs. Happy in average soil in sun or part shade. Catches morning or evening sun well. Height to 1m. Spread 60 cm plus. Price Code GA

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

Milium effusum 'Aureum' - Bowles' golden grass
A soft yellow grass which will brighten any partially shaded area. Happiest in reasonable, cool, moisture retaining soil in part shade. Height to 60cm, spread 40cm. Price Code GA

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, pinktinged plumes. Slender foliage. Height 1m plus.

M. sinensis 'Gracillimus'
A fountain of graceful narrow foliage, best placed in a position which gives it room to show itself off! Average soil, happiest in sun, tolerates part shade. Can flower in warm summers and sheltered sites. Height 1.2 - 1.5m.

M. sinensis 'Grazilla'
Vertical growth and narrow arching leaves. Good flowers, silver turning to buff. Height 1.5m plus.

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

M. sinensis 'Sirene'
Tall with long broad ribbonlike foliage held aloft on strong stems. Striking throughout winter. Can be shy to flower this far north. Height 1.2m plus.

M. sinensis 'Zebrinus'
Strong upright stems with arching foliage striped with cream bands. Needs sun to develop good banding. Strong winter presence. Average to moisture retaining soil. Height 2 - 2.5m.

Miscanthus transmorrisonensis Taiwanese miscanthus
Narrow glossy dark green leaves form dense clumps from which good looking flower heads rise to be held high above the foliage.. Likes sun and moist well drained fertile soil. Height to 1.5m. Steadily clumps up.

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. Happy in sun and average soil, will tolerate some shade. Height 1.5 - 1.75m, spread 50cm.

Nassella trichotoma
A fountain of narrow leaves bearing small open globular flowerheads. Prefers sun and welldrained soil. Height 80cm, spread 45cm.
Price Code GA

Sesleria caerulea
Flatgrowing evergreen grass with bluegreen leaves. In early spring silverypurple flower spikes are freely borne. Enjoys an open position and average soil which does not dry out. Height and spread 30cm. Price Code GB

Sesleria heufleriana - Green moor grass
Spring flowering grass with evergreen leaves, silvery beneath, which makes a compact mound. Flowering spikes held high above the foliage. Happy in sun or light shade. Height and spread 30cm. Price Code GB

Sesleria nitidia (syn Sesleria glauca) Grey moor grass
Attractive evergreen grass, with long smooth greygreen leaves forming flatgrowing clumps. Flowers are held high above the foliage in spring. Likes average soil in sun. Height to 60 cm. Spread 40 cm plus. Price Code GB

Stipa barbata 'Silver Feather'
Very ornamental upright grass producing long featherlike awns which release a sharp seed which can travel about 1 m. from the plant (position with care). Does not tolerate competition. May become dormant in late summer. Prefers sun and good welldrained soil. Height and spread 75 cm.

Stipa capillata 'Lace Veil'
Dense clumps of erect greygreen foliage with many silvery flowerheads held stiffly above the leaves. Likes fertile welldrained soil in the sun. Height to 1 m. Spread 60 cm. Price Code GL

Stipa gigantea Spanish oat grass
Spectacular specimen plant. A low clump of dense evergreen narrow leaves from which, in summer, arise numerous long strong stems bearing large golden spikelets which catch the sun and wind. These last into autumn (depending on weather). Likes good welldrained soil in a sunny, reasonably sheltered, position. Height to 2.2 m. Spread 1m plus. Price Code GM

Stipa pennata
Tight clumps of needle thin foliage and flowerheads held high above the foliage carrying spikelets possessing long feathery awns streaming out. Place in an open position, in sun and welldrained soil, to appreciate it at its best. Height to 80cm, spread 40cm.
Price Code GM

Stipa pulcherrima
Similar to Stipa barbata 'but better, with fuller flowers which are held on mass to give a fabulous display, sadly only lasting a few weeks in summer. Sun and good soil. 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. Happiest in sun and average soil. Height and spread to 60 cm. Price Code GA

Uncinia egremontiana - Orange hook sedge
Low clumpforming grass with rich mahoganycoloured foliage and red highlights. Abundant seedheads produced, and will seed where happy. Does best in sun and welldrained humus rich soils. Height to 30cm.

Last updated: 11 March, 2010