Donn, I have no idea how well they would do in zone 7, but I'd add Helictotrichon, Anemanthele and most carex to your list. I particularly like the anemanthele (Pheasant grass or New Zealand wind grass) both for its soft, full arching form as well as for its fall/winter color change. But other than Cortaderia, I can think of no evergreen grasses that achieve much height. These will top out at around 30".
Thanks, Gardengal. I may have to try Anemanthele lessonia. It isn't in my books, since it's another of the recent exiles from Stipa. T&M says zone 7, but other sources say 8, and hardy to 10°F. It surely is a lovely grass, and seeds are cheap.
I tried wintersowing Helictotrichon last winter, but got no germination. I'll keep trying, and, as a last resort, buy some plugs from Bluestem.
Check out the anemanthele under its previous name, Stipa arundinacea or possibly Orzyopsis lessoniana. It is listed in Darke's encyclopedia under Anemanthele, in Greenlee's under Stipa.
It's a beautiful grass - easily my favorite of all the ornamentals although not as imposing or showy as some of the Miscanthus, Panicums, etc.
For taller evergreen- Carex pendula @ 21/2'-3' in our zone. Others; Luzula nivea and Luzula sylvatica aurea, Carex Evergold, Carex temnolepsis, most bamboo is evergreen, including non running Fargesia.
Arrhenatherum elatius var. bulbosum. (Did I check the spelling on that? You betcha!) Pic at Hortiplex.
If they're hardy and [somewhat] evergreen for me in zone 5a, they surely must be for you in zone 7. One of my favorite grasses, the earliest growing in my garden, a great ground cover or companion plant.
Jack...thanks for the suggestions. I started a dozen clumps each of L.nivea and L. sylvatica 'Select' (Starmaker) this year. I've just added Carex pendula to my next seed order.
Bru...that is a gorgeous grass, and, if I start buying, or trading for grasses, I'll get some. Unfortunately, I doubt if it can be grown from seed, and I'm on a tight budget.
As Jack mentioned, most bamboo has evergreen foliage. In zone 4 it tends to tan out at about 0*F, but just like other OG's the tan foliage is persistent and attractive.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
donn_Original Author
Related Professionals
Harrison Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Belmont Landscape Contractors · Framingham Landscape Contractors · Lemoore Landscape Contractors · South Hackensack Landscape Contractors · Vashon Landscape Contractors · Wayland Landscape Contractors · Greenfield Landscape Contractors · Inver Grove Heights Solar Energy Systems · Banning General Contractors · Elgin General Contractors · Hayward General Contractors · Hutchinson General Contractors · Ken Caryl General Contractors · View Park-Windsor Hills General Contractorsgardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Jack7b_ny
BruMeta
donn_Original Author
Thuja