Mail Order Catalogue 2008

Ferns and Grasses

GRASSES Continued…..

HAKONECHLOA.
   -    macra 'Aureola'.  A low growing spreader forming a dense clump of graceful bright yellow leaves with a few fine green stripes, that take on claret hues in Autumn. Excellent for under planting as it prefers light shade and good soil. 1 ft.  E

LUZULA.
   -   luzuloides.  (White Woodrush) Often wrongly sold as L.nivea this is an ethereal plant. The panicles of snow white flowers that continue for weeks are held well above the dense clumps of green slightly hairy leaves. Non invasive, and will stand sun and dry shade when established.  2 ft.  E
   -   sylvatica.  These evergreen grasses are much underrated, but are quite lovely when grown in a moisture retentive situation, succeeding in sun or half shade.  All make excellent ground cover plants. This, the type, has deep jade green pointed leaves forming a dense mat with clusters of attractive brown flower heads. 2 ft.   D
   -   -   'Aurea'.  Brilliant golden leaves colouring best in plenty of sun but it does need damp at the roots. This makes striking contrasts with bronze or black foliaged plants like Ophiopogon (q.v.).  1 ½ ft.  E
   -   -   'Marginata'.  The same as the above but the leaves have a fine white edge. Useful for brightening up difficult situations and getting some "light" into darker places.  2 ft.  E

MELICA.
   -   uniflora 'Variegata'.  A charming and dainty plant.  The narrow green and white striped leaves form a gently spreading clump, with tiny pale buff flower spikes. A real fairy grass, that prefers some shade and doesn't mind lime. 9 ins   E

MILIUM.
   -   effusum 'Aureum'.  One of the two grasses ascribed to E.A.Bowles . This is the most glorious yellow gold grass, that prefers half shade but will grow in sun in moisture retentive soil. The slightly floppy brilliant yellow leaves offset the very fine  3ft stems that carry delicate dazzling golden flower heads. Superb for flower arrangers. This is a plant that will brighten any border and seeds freely so quickly producing a sheet of sunshine on the dullest days. Leaf height 1 ½ ft.   E

MISCANTHUS.  In the main these are tall and imposing non-invasive grasses for damp or not too dry soil in sun.
   -   oligostachyus 'Nanus Variegatus'.  One of the most attractive smaller grasses. Slightly loose leaves of yellowish green with thin white stripes form spreading clumps.  Brown flower heads in Autumn, sun or part shade.  1 ½ ft.  F
   -   sacchariflorus.  A most spectacular plant, forming architectural clumps of ten foot high stems similar to bamboo in appearance. The fountain like green leaves rustle in the slightest breeze and the stems when cut can be used as garden canes. An ideal specimen plant.   H
   -   sinensis 'Gracillimus'.  A most graceful grass with clumps of narrow arching mat green leaves with a white stripe along the mid-rib. Very dainty flower plumes.  5 ft.   E
   -   -   'Malepartus'.  Larger darker and broader leaf, silver white line down the central rib, turning  purplish in Autumn. The large dense arching flower heads open a deep vinous purple ageing to silver. 6 ft.    F
  -   -   'Silberfeder'. (syn. Silver Feather) As it's name implies the flowering heads are a lovely silver white which will last through the Winter.  Leaves turning yellow in Autumn.  6 ft.  E
  -   -   'Variegatus'.  Here the graceful arching leaves are strongly striped with white. One of the best foliage grasses. 6 ft.  F
  -   -   'Zebrinus'.  The broad horizontal creamy yellow bands on the leaves develop as the season progresses and make this a most distinctive plant.  6 ft.  G

MOLINIA.  Grasses for damp acid soil. Their natural habitat being wet moorland.
       -   caerulea  arundinacea  'Windspeil'. Forms a large tussock with open purple flower heads 5 ft tall that dance in the wind over polished leaves that turn yellow in the Autumn.  Leaf height. 1ft.   F
       -   -   -   'Variegata'.  A lovely small damp lover. Cream striped leaves turning parchment in Winter. It grows in a tidy tuft, with pretty 3 ft high purplish flower plumes.  Leaf height 1 ft.  E
                       
STIPA.
   -   arundinacea (Pheasant Grass) A most decorative small grass making clumps of arching leaves that start green and become orange and red in later Summer and Autumn, holding these colours throughout the Winter.  Silky flower heads are carried on 3ft stems.The leaves are superb for flower arranging. Likes a sunny position in dampish soil.  Leaf height to 2 ft.  E
   -   gigantea.  Low foaming clumps of slim dark green leaves are overtopped by 8 ft high flower heads of smokey purple, later turning to ripe corn gold. A flower arrangers delight. Leaf height 2 ft.   F
   -   tenuissima.  Very ethereal especially when planted in a group and the breeze ripples through it.  Silky thin leaves of the palest green make this diaphonous plant most appealing .  1 ½ ft.  E