It would be fascinating to see the list that you were, or are, growing!

ok, you asked for it! Since I'm sitting on the couch fighting the flu and not doing much of anything else :)
Must admit tho ... the list makes me look a bit nuts!

GRASSES I HAVE GROWN
(XX = removed by nature or by choice)

Achnatherum calamagrostis

Agropyron pubiflorum XX

Alopecurus pratensis ArueusÂ

Andropogon gerardii
Andropogon hallii

Arrenatherum elatius var bulbosum ÂVariegatumÂ

Arundo donax
Arundo donax ÂVariegataÂ

Bouteloua gracilis
Bouteloua curtipendula

Briza media XX
Briza maxima XX

Bromus inermis ÂSkinners Gold XX
Bromus rasmosus XX

Calamagrostis acutiflora ÂOverdamÂ
Calamagrostis arundinacea ÂKarl FoersterÂ
Calamagrostis arundinacea var. brachytricha
Calamagrostis emodensis XX
Calamagrostis epijejos XX

Carex albula
Carex arenaria (sold as this but not)
Carex bergrenni XX
Carex bicknelii XX
Carex buchananii
Carex caryophyllea ÂThe BeatlesÂ
Carex comans ÂBronze formÂ
Carex conica ÂMarginataÂ
Carex dolichostachya ÂKaga NishikiÂ
Carex elata ÂBowles GoldenÂ
Carex flagellifera
Carex glauca
Carex grayi
Carex morrowii var. aureo-variegata
Carex muskingumensis
Carex pendula
Carex petriei XX
Carex secta tenuiculmus
Carex siderostica ÂVariegataÂ
Carex s, ÂIsland BrocadeÂ
Carex testacea XX

Chasmanthium latifolium

Deschampsia caespitosa ÂBronzeschleierÂ
Deschampsia c. ÂGoldstaubÂ
Deschampsia caespitosa ÂNorthern Lights (reverting)
Deschampsia c. ÂFairyÂs Joke XX
Deschampsia flexuosa XX

Elymus magellanicus

Eragrostis curvula
Eragrostis spectabilis

Eriophorum angustifolium XX

Festuca glauca
Festuca mairei
Festuca tenuifolia (filiformis)
Festuca scoparia (gautieri) ÂPic CarlitÂ

Hakonechloa macra
Hakonechloa macra ÂAureolaÂ
Hakonechloa macra ÂÂAlbo striataÂ

Helictotrichon sempervirens

Hierochloe odorata XX

Hystrix patula

Imperata cylindrica ÂRed BaronÂ

Juncus effusus ÂSpiralis XX
Juncus bulbosus ÂCarmenÂs GreyÂ

Koeleria glauca

Leymus arenarius (racemosus?)

Luzula sylvatica
Luzula sylvatica ÂMarginataÂ
Luzula nivea
Luzula n. ÂRuby Stiletto

Melica altissima ÂAtropurpureaÂ
Melica ciliata

Milium effusum ÂAureumÂ
Miscanthus ÂGiganteusÂ
Miscanthus ÂPurpurescensÂ
Miscanthus ÂAdagioÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂArabesqueÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂAutumn LightÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂBerlinÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂBluttenwonder XX
Miscanthus sinensis ÂCosmopolitanÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂCabaretÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂGoliathÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂGracillimusÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂGraziellaÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂGrosse FontaineÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂHuron SunsetÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂMalepartus
Miscanthus sinensis ÂMorning LightÂ
Miscanthus sinensisÂRolandeÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂRotsilberÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂSarabande
Miscanthus sinensis ÂSilberfederÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂSilverturmÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂStrictusÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂUndineÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂVariegatusÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂYuku JimaÂ
Miscanthus sinensis ÂZebrinusÂ
Miscanthus sinensis var. Condensatus
Miscanthus sinensis var. Condenstus ÂSiberpfeilÂ
Miscanthus sinensis seedlings

Molina caerulea  VariegataÂ
Molina caerulea. ÂHeidebrautÂ
Molina caerulea ÂMoorhexÂ
Molina caerulea subsp. arundinacea
Molina caerulea subsp. arundinacea. ÂKarl FoersterÂ
Molina caerulea subsp. arundinacea  SkyracerÂ
Molina caerulea subsp. arundinacea ÂWindspeilÂ

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Panicum virgatum
Panicum virgatum ÂHeavy MetalÂ
Panicum virgatum ÂRehbraunÂ
Panicum. virgatum ÂWarriorÂ
Panicum virgatum ÂCloud NineÂ
Panicum virgatum  Prarie SkyÂ
Panicum virgatum ÂShenandoahÂ
Panicum virgatum ÂSquawÂ
Panicum virgatum ÂHeavy Metal sport (in trials)

Pennisetum alopecuroides
Pennisetum alopecuroides ÂHamelnÂ
Pennisetum. ÂMoudryÂ
Pennisetum alopecuroides ÂCassianÂ
Pennisetum alopecuroides ÂLittle BunnyÂ
Pennisetum ÂBurgundy Giant XX
Pennisetum macruorum XX
Pennisetum orientale
Pennisetum setaceum (from seed most years)
Pennisetum setaceum ÂRubrum XX
Pennisetum villosum XX
Pennisetum seedlings ex Cassian

Phalaris arundinacea ÂFeeseyÂ

Phyllostachys aurea

Pleoblastus pygmaeus
Pleoblastus viridistriatus (auricoma)

Poa ampla ÂService XX

Saccharum ravennae (Erianthus ravennae)

Schizachyrium scoparium
Schizachyrium scoparium ÂThe BluesÂ

Sesleria caerulea

Shibataea kumasaca

Sorghastrum nutans
Sorghastrum nutans ÂSioux BlueÂ

Spartina pectinata ÂAureomarginataÂ

Spodiopogon sibericus

Sporobolous heterolepis

Stipa brandishii
Stipa capillata
Stipa gigantea
Stipa pulcherima
Stipa tenuissima (Nasella tenuissima)

Unicina rubra XX

Grass-like plants

Acorus gramineus ÂVariegatusÂ
Acorus. gramineus ÂOborozukiÂ
Acorus g. ÂLicoriceÂ
Acorus g. Âminimus aureusÂ
Liriope spicata
Ophiopogon nigresens
Sysrinchium caerulea

Wow, I don't think there IS anything left, LOL.

There's a new Calamagrostis acutiflora, Avalanche. It's the opposite of Overdam, instead of green with a white stripe, it's white with a green stripe - apparently the variegation is more pronounced. I've yet to find one to try but am looking.

Another Calamagrostis acutiflora, Eldorado, which has a yellow variegation. I planted one last year and was happy with the colouring. Time will tell if the variegation continues to hold.

Too bad the Deschampsia Northern Lights is reverting - I just planted this last year and was quite taken with it.

A Panicum not on your list, Northwind. I'm trying it only in the hopes of hardiness but just planted it last year so can't really say good or bad about it. (If it lives in this climate, it'll be a keeper regardless).

Is Stipa tenuissima perennial in your climate?

Oh ... there are definitely a few more grasses that I would like to grow.
Thanks for the ideas. I will watch for the two Calamagrostis cultivars. 'Overdam' is rather wimpy in my garden ~ it just never seems to get going. Once again I will try it in another location.

As for the Deschampsia's ~ they do much better in your climate than mine so you might have a better chance with Northern Lights. I just finally gave up trying to divide out the green bits and eventually they took over.

I will watch for the Panicum as well. I am hoping that my sport will be a new cultivar one of these days. It is a long process.

As for Stipa tenuissima ~ I would say it is marginal. It lives through most winters if planted on lean soil with good drainage. Easy to grow from seed if it doesn't make it.

While not exhaustive, you might consider the following...,

Miscanthus 'Nippon' (early bloomer)
Miscanthus 'Sioux' (red tones)
Miscanthus 'Borber Bandit' (miniature)
Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues' (heavy blues)
Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Fire' (intense burgundy)
Panicum virgatum 'Cheyenne Sky' (intense burgundy)
Panicum virgatum 'Mojave Sunset' (intense burgundy)
Panicum virgatum 'Thunder Cloud' (tall and huge!)
Panicum virgatum 'Amber Wave' (intense burgundy)
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Fox Trot' (aka Japonicum)
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Karley Rose' (smoky purple blooms)

Q. By the way, which Miscanthus, Panicum, and Pennisetums have been your favorites out of your collection and why?

Whew! Impressive! May we see some pictures of your yard, pretty please?!?

From my measly collection, I could maybe suggest Poa cita and Seslaria glauca but I doubt these are different enough to interest you!
So branching out into species I know little, or indeed, absolutely nothing about...
Andropogon glomeratus looks interesting with the tufty seedheads - might be okay in zone 5?
How about Carex oshimensis?
Cymophyllus fraserianus also has interesting seedheads; native to eastern US (Tennessee, Virginia, W. Virginia, Pennsylania, etc.); sounds promising for zone 5?
Festuca mairei and F. idahoensis?
Hesperostipa spartea, porcupine grass, for the long pretty awns?
Poa colensoi appears to have a lovely shape!
Saccharum arundinaceum and S. giganteum?
For the water garden, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, especially the variegated bulrushes? Or Scirpus cyperinus, wool grass? Or Zizania aquatica, annual wild rice, which looks quite beautiful in my book.
Sporobolus airoides, alkali dropseed, looks lovely too.

Interesting that you are growing the bamboos, and also Shibataea kumasasa (said to be zone 6). Hmmm, perhaps worth a long shot for a slim possibility of hardiness here...

Deep Roots
Thanks for the list ~ it looks interesting!
I will pass on the one early blooming Miscanthus. We have been getting these LONG frost-free autumns and I am finding all my early blooming Miscanthus are self-seeding quite a bit.

The Pennisetums & Panicums sound really interesting. I am delighted to see 'Amber Waves' on the list. Is it finally on the market??? I saw it first when it was in the trial stage. A lovely grass.

re: Q. about favorite panicums, pennisetums, & Miscanthus from those I am growing

Panicums - favorite is Cloud Nine with my Heavy Metal sport a close second

Pennisetums - easier to say which I don't like. The two species P. macruorum & P. villosum were both too weedy for me. The rest are all so elegant it would be difficult to choose.

Miscanthus - Only two favorites for bloom as I like most of mine equally well if not better before they bloom. Silberfeder (it was my first grass) & Arabesque.
Malepartus for fall colour & form
Roland's tall, leaning form is hard to resist & Gracillimus is, to me, a classic shape.
I really love them all but those are my faves

Q. Do you know whether any of the grasses you mention are being marketed in Canada??

Astounding list, A. I'm particularly impressed with the Pennisetum setaceum from seed. I've failed to get germination with seed from several sources.

Abgardeneer you sure are a lot of work!! :o) Still nursing the flu so ...
I have put a few pics up on my webspace. Just a couple of views of our garden. (slow dial-up connection takes 1 1/2 minutes to download images)

You have been looking in grass books. I agree, some of the grasses you suggest look very interesting. However, I have yet to see any seed or plants of these. I will keep looking.

I couldn't find any mention of your Poa cita ~ can you give me a description & a seed source? I would also be interested in seed of any of the Seslerias.

As for the bamboos ~ all of mine are in pots, over-wintered in a cold garage. The phyllostacys is both in a pot & in my woods - it will take over the world, even in zone 5. The Shibataea kumasasa is new (last september) and I plan to plant a piece in the garden this year.
a.

Donn,
I have never had any trouble germinating seed of Pennisetum setaceum. I get my seed from the same place we order our veggie seed (diffent each year). Some catalogues still have it listed as P. ruppelii.
Often my germination is so good I have a mini Pennisetum lawn before I split up the seedlings. Should germinate easily at 20C/70F.

Maybe you should ask for a refund?

On the other hand the seed of P. setaceum 'Rubrum' is reputed to rarely (if ever) set viable seed ~ I certainly have never been able to get seed of this to germinate. I just buy a new one each year

a.

No refunds, A. They've all been from trades. I even concentrated on getting seeds from warm zones, and coached the traders to wait for the seeds to ripen. Still nothing. Same with 'Rubrum.' For that matter, I couldn't get P. glaucum 'Purple Majesty' to germinate last year either. I'm going to start them later this year. I know the seeds are good, because I tested them inside. I'll wait until the weather warms a bit to try them again, along with P. glaucum 'Jester.' I put some of each out over the weekend, but saved some for later sowing.

Well, heck, I was just trying to help take your mind off not feeling well, LOL!

WOW!! What a fabulous yard! What gorgeous sweeping vistas... all those beautiful miscanthus...just terrific! I'll keep coming back to these for some time...
Love the stone wall with the nifty little hook at the end!
Also, what trees are you growing? Their forms are so nice - more winter interest, along with the grasses. What, in particular, is the dusky-leaved one that is leafing out in the fourth picture and seemingly in full leaf in the fifth?
How nice to have an acreage and what a great job you've done with it. (*Sigh* ...wonder if anyone would notice if I annex the playground behind our house?)

I don't think I'm capable of giving a meaningful description of the Poa cita, other than clumping, upright, about 18" tall (in clay soil, full sun), not unusual color-wise... duh, I'll see if I can find a picture! They were labelled as that when I bought the plants, anyway, and have proved hardy. (Googling the name, I see it is a species native to New Zealand and sub-antarctic islands...hmm, guess that would explain how it survives here, assuming it was correctly labelled.) Unfortunately, I didn't collect seeds of it or the Sesleria glauca, but could make a point to do that next year. Attached is a seed source for the Poa cita, if you wanted to try then right away.
Well, gotta go look at your pix again! Thanks!

abgardeneer
thanks for the lovely compliments!
the tree in question is a large Maple ~ the dreaded Acer platanoides 'Crimson King'
the smaller trees in the foreground are mostly Service Berry (Amelanchier sp.) and one Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia).
the 'hook' on the wall is a small cement hedgehog. btw, the wall has since been capped in cut stone & looks much better.

If you would be willing to save me some seed from your two grasses that would be wonderful! I'm sure I could find something to swap.
a.

Response to: Availability of Panicum Amber Waves in Canada

This year marks a sad change. Gary Trucks of AmberWaves Nursery changed his web site. It is extremely limited compared to what he had online for the last couple years. Most notably is the AmberWaves Introductions are no longer there, including Panicum Amber Waves! I emailed Gary and Sandy about the changes. Their response avoided any details. I've pasted the entire response below.

"We have been updating our website to reflect the local nursery we run and the plants we have for sale. The current hours of operation and opening dates are also listed on there." Gary & Sandy

So the silence and lack of information is very disappointing. Note that I found a cached web page from Yahoo that shows the old ornamental grass introductions from AmberWaves Nursery.

http://216.109.125.130/search/cache?p=Panicum+Amber+Waves&sp=1&fr2=sp-top&ei=UTF-8&fr=FP-tab-web-t&SpellState=n-1059957297_q-4MN6bpoKclebUDtsVZRAfQABAA%40%40&u=www.amberwavegardens.com/intro/panintro1.html&w=panicum+amber+waves&d=HSuN0G1aMM_j&icp=1&.intl=us

Deep Roots,
Thanks for the update. You're right they do seem to have a lot fewer grasses available. Maybe the 'page under construction' will have their introdutions or ... maybe they have sold the rights of these to someone else for marketing.
I was at the nursery once about 5 years ago and saw all their lovely panicums then. I suppose I could have tried to sneak a couple across the border but ..... whimp here!
Strange about the abrupt answer.

Amazing lists of grasses and an interesting thread! I thoroughly enjoyed reading all the posts and especially liked the exhaustive list of grasses in achnatherum's garden.

I am a grass enthusiast and have perhaps 75% of that list either in my own garden or in containers from a small nursery business that I recently purchased in Oregon. Among the grasses I have in containers (perhaps 40) is Calamagrostis acutiflora "Avalanche." If I'm not mistaken, this particular cultivar was originally out of a nursery in Estacada, Oregon.

I'm curious to know about the qualities of Deschampsia c. 'Bronzeschlier' as I have divided 6 beefy containers of this grass into perhaps 25 1-gallon pots. From the pictures I've seen of groupings of this grass it's lovely. I'm worried about it seeding about though. Deschampsia is a native in our area.

A Panicum I did not see and which I have in the garden and am very fond of is Panicum v. 'Hanse Herms'. It has spectacluar red fall foliage and stands up well to fall rains.

Small Miscanthus is 'Little Kitten.' Also 'Little Nicky' (dwarf Zebrinus). Miscanthus g. 'Little Big Man' is a reasonable version of its big brother. Hmmm -- here's one: Miscanthus sinensis 'Goldfeder' -- big grass with gold/green variegation, slow growing. Pennisetum a. 'Cassian' with excellent fall color.

aren't grasses the best!!!

Can the width of the thread be fixed? Would love to read it but hard on small monitor.

You can click Edit/Select All, in the File Menu at the top of your browser, then hit CTRL-C. Open Notepad, or Word, or any editor, and hit CTRL-V. That will paste a copy of the whole thread into the editor, and you can read it with word wrap.

Or...

Click File/Print Preview, and see if that helps.

The thread can only be edited by GW, so the long link that's blown it up will probably stay.

A -

I've heard thewre is a varigated C. "Karl Foerster" available. I did get one but it never took after planting.

I did plant it late in the year but thought I would at least try it. I will venture to get a couple more this spring and try once more.

Jake