- Shade Ornamental Grasses, Tall Ornamental Grasses, and more
(Miscanthus, Panicum, Pennisetum, Carex, Muhlenbergia, Nasella, Clumping Bamboos, etc)
Ornamental grasses have become incredibly popular and important landscape additions to the perennial garden over the several decades and rightly so. As a textural garden element, they offer relief from heavy globs of foundation shrubs, and their interest spans the seasons. No matter what conditions you have at your site, there’s an ornamental grass for you. For shade gardens, you can select a carex (sedge) or chasmanthium. For sun, the range is incredible including muhlenbergia (muhly grass), panicum (switch grass), pennisetum (fountain grass), and bambusa, fargesia, and borinda (clumping bamboos). No matter what ornamental grass you are looking, for, we bet you will find it online with our great selection of ornamental grasses for sale online.
Since 1988, Plant Delights Nursery has been the choice of serious gardeners and plant collectors looking for the best and rarest perennial plants. We are pleased to have received the Perennial Plant Association Retail Award in 2011, the American Horticulture Society Commercial Award in 2002, and to have been selected as one of the Best Mail Order Plant Sources - Garden Design Magazine 2010. Welcome to our family of plant lovers!
Acorus calamus 'Variegatus' is an aroid relative and former member of the "family" before being ousted by the molecular taxonomy mob. Acorus calamus is now in the horticulture protection program disguised as a dramatic, upright deciduous iris. The vivid white and green banded, deer-resistant leaves of Acorus calamus 'Variegatus' make this one of the most strikingly beautiful vertical accent plants in the garden! Variegated sweet flag spreads slowly by means of a very thick above-ground rhizome. Sweet flag loves a moist spot such as a bog but will also grow in ordinary garden soils...a real easy-to-grow, carefree prize! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Despite the long, tongue-twisting name, the dwarf golden sweet flag is one of the most striking and certainly the cutest of the acorus. The tufts of tiny, golden, ornamental grass-like, evergold foliage make a slowly spreading patch to 2' wide in 5 years. If you get out the magnifying glass, you'll notice the tiny aroid-like tan spadices (flowers) in early summer. Acorus 'Minimus Aureus' is a bright, deer-resistant, dwarf evergreen perennial groundcover in moist shady areas where it makes either a feature specimen or a killer filler between dark stepping stones...a real highlight in the woodland garden. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This beautiful new UK selection of the giant reed grass adds a new twist to a great deer-resistant garden plant. Arundo 'Golden Chain' was named in the mid-1990s by Liam Mackenzie of the UK's Madrona Nursery as a tissue culture mutation from Arundo donax 'Versicolor'. Arundo 'Golden Chain' forms a clump of 7' tall upright stalks of medium green leaves edged in gold. The color holds all season, unlike the larger and more common Arundo donax 'Versicolor'. Arundo 'Golden Chain' is also a much smaller and less vigorous plant which makes propagation more of a chore, but keeps it in scale with smaller gardens. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This wonderful deer-resistant grass, native to Mediterranean freshwater wetlands, has long been a favorite of gardeners. The only drawback was the fading of the leaf variegation in warm weather. Arundo 'Peppermint Stick', imported from the Shanghai Botanic Garden by plantsman Greg Speichert, solves that, with striped leaves just as vivid in summer as in spring. Arundo 'Peppermint Stick' forms sturdy 12' tall canes, adorned with wide green-and-white striped leaves. In the fall, the clumps are topped with 18" tall bronze-colored plumes. Arundo may get too large for small gardens, but it is NOT an invasive plant (displacing natives in functioning ecosystems) as I read in some eco-Nazi literature. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Several years ago we had a green mutation on our clump of Bambusa 'Alphonse Karr' which, when planted on its own, grew to Sasquatch proportions (25' tall x 8' wide at the base). Our original clump is now 9 years old and, although we see some tip damage at 14 degrees F, it has much better winter hardiness than the other Bambusa multiplex cultivars we grow and doesn't die to the ground like Bambusa 'Alphonse Karr' at the same temperatures. Our largest canes are already over 1" diameter. Although it doesn't run, Bambusa 'Green Giant' still takes up plenty of space...so locate it correctly. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
No muss, no fuss, no trouble! We have long experimented with this heat-loving, deer-resistant, clumping bamboo and still find it strangely underused in southeastern gardens. Bambusa multiplex 'Riviereorum' is a 10' clumper that dies back to the ground at 8 degrees F, but returns late the next summer when the heat builds. In colder climates, Bambusa multiplex 'Riviereorum' can be grown as an ornamental grass and cut to the ground in early spring. When winter temperatures stay above 15 degrees F, the stems will remain green and the leaves evergreen. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
The words "refined elegance" come to mind when you grow Borinda angustissima. The tight deer-resistant clumps of 1" canes (when mature) can eventually reach 15' tall and are adorned with airy, tiny green leaves highlighted by dark purple sheaths...simply delightful. Borinda angustissima was accessioned in 1993 by Dr. Jim Waddick in China's northern Sichuan Province near Huang Long Si. Our plants have survived our oppressively humid 107 degree F highs and lows of 15 degrees F with no ill effects. Borinda angustissima is very slow to establish, but really starts to take off in its third year. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(syn: Yushania boliana) We have longed for hardy clumping bamboo of Sasquatch proportions, and thanks to Jackie Heinricher at Boo-Shoot Gardens, we have it. Our 3-year-old clumps of the deer-resistant Borinda boliana have already reached 10' tall, with 0.5-1" diameter arching blue-green culms. In warm temperate climates, mature plants of Borinda boliana should top out at 50' tall, so don't plant these under power lines or airline flight paths. Our Borinda boliana plants, however were burned back at 9 degrees F, despite prior information to the contrary. Conversely, they have thrived through 3 consecutive weeks of above 100 degrees F heat and humidity in full sun. We are ecstatic about this new bamboo...blue marlin-sized fishing poles, biomass fuel potential, and a quick way to hide your untidy neighbors! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Borinda macclureana is the latest addition to our widening selection of clumping bamboos, originating from a Keith Rushford collection from 11,000' elevation in Tibet. We planted our first trial plants of Borinda macclureana in 2007, and so far, so good...despite reports that it wouldn't withstand our brutally hot and humid summers. Our plants in full sun for a few hours each day actually look far better than our clump in shade. Borinda macclureana makes a 20' tall, slightly arching clump with 10" long leaves along the top of the purple stems. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This superb sedge, native from Quebec south to South Carolina, is a must for shade gardeners. Naturally occurring in dry woodlands, even underneath hemlocks, Carex appalachica is adaptable to almost all garden conditions...except swamps. The very narrow, weeping, mop-top looking, deer-resistant foliage makes an airy, 18" wide clump. When used singly or en masse, the textural contrast near bolder elements is simply stunning. If you've been looking for a shady replacement for an unmown lawn or a hairpiece that matches your green thumb, look no further. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Carex cherokeensis is another of our favorites from this wonderful ornamental grass genus. Carex cherokeensis is a native sedge, home from Missouri east to North Carolina and south to Florida where it can be found in a wide range of conditions from acid seeps to dolomite glades. Our two-year-old clumps are 2' tall x 4' wide, and topped in late spring with wispy flower spikes that reach a foot above the mound of luscious evergreen foliage. We're growing our Carex cherokeensis in average garden soils, but it is often found in very moist habitats in the wild. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Carex 'Treasure Island' is a delightful dwarf woodland sedge...a variegated selection of the Japanese Carex ciliatomarginata that was developed by Michigan's Hans Hansen. Carex 'Treasure Island' is essentially a smaller-growing relative of the better known Carex siderosticta. Carex 'Treasure Island' makes a 3" tall x 15" wide, deer resistant clump in 3 years. Each narrow green leaf is bordered with a dramatic white edge. We have found Carex ciliatomarginata to tolerate a wide range of garden moisture levels, but slightly moist soils seem to make it most happy...and we all like happy sedges! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
I picked Carex divulsa up in Arizona in 2003, where it was widely sold, grown, and promoted as the California native, Carex tumulicola, until it was finally outed as the European Carex divulsa. I'll bet the West Coast eco-nazi, ethnic-profiling crowd who'd been promoting its use were more upset than Mel Gibson locked in a synagogue. Despite the mixup, Carex divulsa is a fabulous sedge and has been a stellar performer in both our heat and humidity. Carex divulsa makes a lush, evergreen mop-top clump of narrow green foliage to 15" tall x 30" wide that is equally at home in moist shade or dry sun. The clumps are topped with tiny bronze flower stalks in late April...truly fabulous! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Even with a wide native range from NC to the West Coast, the rare native Carex eburnea is not well-known in gardening circles. Although Carex eburnea naturally occurs on limestone outcrops, it has been fabulous for years in our acid NC soils. The drought-tolerant, 8" wide, symmetrical clumps of soft green, needle-like foliage resemble crooner Justin Bieber's hair...sort of like a pettable green porcupine. Carex eburnea is a delightful deer-resistant sedge that's great in a woodland or rock garden...you'll just love this baby! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(syn: Carex glauca) This rich blue-colored recent Emerald Coast Growers selection of the European native Carex flacca has wonderfully narrow, glaucous leaves that make a delightfully wispy-textured, evergreen, deer-resistant groundcover. Although Carex flacca prefers moist alkaline soils, it has proven to be quite adaptable to a wide range of garden conditions and soil types. Carex flacca 'Blue Zinger' forms a nice 2' wide patch in 5 years...much more clump forming than the straight species. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
We discovered this fantastic sedge on Taiwan's highest mountain, Yushan (Nantou County), at 7,400' elevation. In our garden, Carex gentilis 'Yushan' has made a stunning 18" tall x 3' wide, finely-textured, evergreen specimen. I find Carex gentilis a marvelous textural addition to the woodland garden. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka Carex 'Bunny Blue') Want to cut down on mulching in your woodland garden? Think carex! Carex laxiculmis is another superb American native sedge that can be found in moist woods from Canada south to Florida. Carex 'Hobb' is a particularly nice blue-foliaged selection introduced by the Head Brothers of Seneca, South Carolina. Expect Carex 'Hobb' to make a slowly spreading, 18" wide, deer-resistant clump of 1' long x 0.5" wide evergreen foliage...very nice when used either as a specimen or in a mass groundcover planting. The longer we grow this ornamental grass, the more we love it. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(syn: Carex 'Gilt', Carex 'Fisher's Form') This is a truly great woodland plant. The stiff leaf blades, to 12" long x 0.5" wide, make an evergreen, rigidly symmetrical clump to 24" wide. The deer-resistant foliage is vertically banded white and dark green...much more white than Carex morrowii 'Variegatus' but otherwise identical in growth habit. Looks great winter and summer! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Available 5-23-2013 Everyone who sees this clumping carex can't leave without it. From a 1970s Barry Yinger expedition to Japan comes this hard-to-find but easy-to-grow selection of Carex morrowii temnolepis v. temnolepis. The 2' wide clump of wispy, thread-like, deer-resistant foliage is striped white-and-green...giving it a silver sheen in the garden. Imagine a 70-year-old with a mop-top cut that hasn't been introduced to hair color and you get the picture. Carex' Silk Tassel' is great in the woodland garden...either in a mass planting or as a specimen near the garden pond...absolutely outstanding! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This 1994 PDN introduction was found by our friend, the late Wolfgang Oehme of Oehme and Van Sweden (famous landscape designers). This sport from Wolfgang's garden has the typical growth habit of the North American native (Canada south to Arkansas) Carex muskingumensis (resembling a 1' tall palm tree) but with a clear yellow border around the leaves. Although Carex muskingumensis 'Oehme' emerges green, the vivid yellow stripes appear soon after. As with all sedges, Carex 'Oehme' has excellent deer resistance. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
