- 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!
Fargesia sp. 'Scabrida' is a relatively newly cultivated and highly coveted upright Chinese clumping bamboo. First described in the 1970s, plants of Fargesia sp. 'Scabrida' from 8,800' elevation in Ping Wu county in Sichuan Province were finally imported to Holland by Jos van der Palen of Kimmei Nursery in 1997. Fargesia sp. ‘Scabrida’ has a habit similar to Fargesia robusta as it forms a 12' tall clump, prized for its prominent leaf sheaths which often emerge bright orange. In cool climates, the new shoots may take on a blue/purple color. Despite warnings that it may not like hot, humid climates, it has fared well for us since 2008 in a few hours of sun. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
On a trip to the UK, the late Greg Speichert and UK grass expert Roger Grounds literally stumbled onto this variegated sport of the old cultivar Miscanthus 'Giganteus'. The result is a splendid new deer-resistant cultivar that forms a giant 10' fountain of 1" wide yellow and green striped foliage. Our 6-year-old clumps of Miscanthus 'Gilded Tower' are nearly 5' wide. The lower foliage may brown out by summer's end, so give it a nice floral skirt...better make it a kilt in case it's a male. The clumps are topped in October with typical tan miscanthus plumes, but you'll need binoculars. Location is critical if you are in an airport flight path. Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
I first saw this stunning new miscanthus on a trip to Holland, only to find out later that it came from the folks at Joy Creek in Oregon. I have longed for a compact, heavily-banded Zebra miscanthus, and this Miscanthus 'Strictus' seedling is what I envisioned in my dreams. Miscanthus 'Gold Bar' makes a slow-growing clump, eventually to 4' tall, with rigidly upright green leaves with a very heavy horizontal yellow banding. Miscanthus 'Gold Bar' has 12-17 bands per leaf, while Miscanthus 'Strictus' has only 2-3 bands. It will take at least 5 years to reach mature size. The deer-resistant clump is topped with typical miscanthus inflorescence in late October. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Muhlenbergia capillaris is another US native (Massachusetts to Texas) ornamental deer-resistant grass that will knock your horticultural socks off! Hairy awn muhly makes a nondescript clump of narrow green foliage (30" x 30") until mid- to late August, when the clumps are topped with cloud-like heads of reddish purple...truly STUNNING! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This dazzling deer-resistant introduction, from Florida's Superior Trees, is a white-flowered version of the wildly popular Muhlenbergia capillaris. Starting in late September and continuing into early November (NC), the showy, 4' tall x 4' wide clumps are topped with a soft, see-through cloud of white that lasts well after frosts have begun...absolutely dynamite! Muhlenbergia capillaris 'White Cloud' is a superb selection you simply must see to believe! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Muhlenbergia dubia is a little-known drought tolerant native ornamental grass from West Texas, New Mexico, and northern Mexico that makes a striking architectural accent where a small grass is needed. The narrow foliage makes a perfectly symmetrical mound 3-4' wide and just over 1' tall. In late August and continuing through fall, the very narrow plumes appear on 2-3' narrow stalks, emerging purple, then fading to tan. Muhlenbergia dubia is an exquisite grass, for either a specimen situation or a large mass when heat and drought are the "buzz words." Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri is one of our favorite ornamental grasses for hot climates. This fabulous Texas/Mexico native forms a dense, architectural 2' tall x 3' wide clump of very narrow blue-green foliage, topped with 60" tall, narrow, calamagrostis-like plumes from September through the fall. When in flower, everyone will want to know where you got it, so be sure to tell 'em! Muhlenbergia lindheimeri prefers well-drained soils. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
We waited more than a decade since we first saw this amazing hybrid at John Fairey's Peckerwood Garden in Texas to be able to offer this pink muhly grass. Muhlenbergia capillaris and Muhlenbergia lindheimeri had a conjugal encounter on a warm Texas night and the result was Muhlenbergia 'Pink Flamingos'. The spherical 3' tall x 4' wide clump of narrow glaucous foliage is topped in September through November with 4.5' long arching spikes ending in pink plumes, which are more linear than Muhlenbergia capillaris. This is a stunning deer-resistant, drought-tolerant grass that should be grown throughout its hardiness range. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Stipa tenuissima) We truly love this Southwest US native grass. The delicate, narrow foliage of Nassella tenuissima forms a delightfully wispy, deer-resistant clump...every garden needs at least one wispy plant. The 2' tall, wispy tan plumes blend nicely with the foliage in late spring...a very cute ornamental grass! The shallow-rooted Nassella tenuissima will often seed near the mother clump, so if you get a few too many babies, simply get out the Progestin...I mean Roundup®. Nassella tenuissima was named by the Royal Horticultural Society as one of the top 200 plants of the last 200 years! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Thanks to Rick Darke, author of "The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses," we now have a selection of another great native deer-resistant panicum. Panicum amarum is a soil-stabilizing, clump-forming beach grass that grows in dry sand between dunes from Connecticut to Louisiana. Rick selected Panicum 'Dewey Blue' for its graceful habit and lovely glaucous foliage. In late summer, the 4' tall clumps (shorter in dry sand) are topped by light airy tan plumes that persist all winter. Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
(aka: Zuloagaea bulbosa) We have really enjoyed this little-known native ornamental grass since 2005, shared with us by California grass guru John Greenlee. Although Panicum bulbosum can be found in the wild from the dry states of Utah south to Texas, it has performed amazingly well in hot, humid North Carolina. For us, Panicum bulbosum makes a charming, small, tight clump with wispy, but upright plumes that reach 4' tall...a true less-filling plant for the perennial garden. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Named after the Cowboys who were defeated by the Redskins on national TV...just kidding, this Ken and Linda Smith selection of our native switchgrass is among the most stunning forms ever selected. Originally found in Dallas, Texas, it has grown equally well in the cold Midwest. Panicum 'Dallas Blues' makes an upright deer-resistant clump of pendent, powder-blue foliage to 5' tall, topped in early fall with stunning plumes of reddish purple. The flower heads are unlike any other panicum, as the flowers appear in distinct layers. Even without the foliage, these plumes are just waiting to become a flower arrangement. We predict certain stardom for this grass! Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
From Roy Diblik of Northwind Perennial Farm comes another fabulously different selection of our native switchgrass...yes, it is completely different. The wide, olive-green foliage makes the strongest vertical accent of any of the switchgrasses we have grown. This vigorous deer-resistant grower is topped in September with attractive narrow plumes, held incredibly erect atop the foliage. Everyone who sees Panicum 'Northwind' rates it as one of the best! Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
Panicum 'Ruby Ribbons' came about thanks to the breeding program of University of Connecticut's plant breeder, Dr. Mark Brand. His deer-resistant hybrid (Panicum 'Heavy Metal' x Panicum 'Hans Herme') produces a 4' tall, upright specimen emerging with blue-grey foliage that begins taking on a burgundy-red hue as early as midsummer. The foliage color intensifies as the season progresses, serving as a nice foil when the clumps are topped with airy 4' tall flower spikes in late summer, which dry and last well into the winter. The plant was actually named with the invalid and stupid cultivar name 'RR1', so we have made their trade name the official cultivar name. Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
This 1990s introduction from ornamental grass guru, Kurt Bluemel, has long been a garden favorite. The sturdy, upright green foliage of Panicum 'Squaw' forms a dense, compact, 40" tall clump that gives rise in late summer to tan flower plumes atop the foliage. We have had this in the garden since 1997 and still find it has one of the best floral shows of all the panicums and is one that holds well even in winter. In cooler weather, the tips of the foliage take on a reddish bronze appearance...best of all, it's had its tubes tied...that's right, no baby panicums running around the garden! Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
This splendid Kurt Bluemel selection of fountain grass (introduced under the invalid name of Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Japonicum') has long been one of our favorites, and we were thrilled when it finally got a "proper" name. Pennisetum 'Foxtrot' makes a large, upright, 5' tall x 4' wide clump, topped in midsummer with 5' tall tan plumes. Pennisetum 'Foxtrot' has proven to be an outstanding, long-lived and reliable performer with much more vigor than typical Pennisetum alopecuroides. After a decade in our garden, we have never found any stray seedlings. If you've suffered silently from pennisetum envy by having the smallest one in the neighborhood...suffer no longer. Help in the form of Pennisetum 'Foxtrot' is here! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This selection of the deer-resistant Pennisetum orientale was discovered in 1995 by David Skwiot of Connecticut's Sunny Border Nurseries. Pennisetum 'Karley Rose' (named after David's daughter) stood out from all the other plants in a block of Pennisetum orientale seedlings for darker green foliage with a much taller and more upright habit. I really love this fountain grass and even after growing it for over 15 years, still hold it in very high esteem. For us, the lovely reddish-pink plumes top the clump starting in late May, but further north the plumes don't peak until early to mid-August. Trials have revealed that Pennisetum 'Karley Rose' is also much hardier than typical Pennisetum orientale. It's not hard to say enough good things about Pennisetum 'Karley Rose'. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Pennisetum 'Tall Tails' is a 1998 Plant Delights introduction that originated in a USDA seed bank for forage crops (via Woods Nursery in Pennsylvania, then Hoffman Nursery in NC). Pennisetum 'Tall Tails' has made the transformation into a staple of the ornamental grass lineup. This vigorous, heat-loving, deer-resistant Pennisetum orientale form from Pakistan makes a border-sized, upright, arching clump to 4.5' tall. The 9" long early fall plumes of tan, with a hint of pink, tower another 12" above the foliage...essentially a hardy Pennisetum setaceum...a designer's dream! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
From the garden of plant collector, Jim Waddick, comes the hardiest and most spectacular of the sugar canes...little-known in the US except by our customers, who all rave about it (some on general principle). Saccharum arundinaceum has long, grey-green leaves with a white midrib. This giant clumper (great for hiding obtrusive neighbors or rusty cars) makes a spectacular sight at 10' tall x 10' wide. In early to mid-October, the clumps are topped with purplish-pink, narrow, pampas-like plumes that extend another 2-3' above the foliage. Because of the late flowering season, seedlings are not a problem from Zone 7b north. South of Zone 7b, watch carefully for seedlings...truly a must for grass lovers! Pot Size: 3 qt. (2.83 L)
Blue Heaven bluestem is a 2007 release...a selection of the native little bluestem from the work of Mary Meyer at the University of Minnesota. This robust, 4' tall, upright selection that tends not to lodge (fall over like a sloppy drunk) emerges dark silvery blue, and in late summer takes on a multicolor foliage combination of burgundy, pink, red, purple, and orange...sounds like some of the hair styles I see on my rare trips to a mall. The clumps are topped in late summer by wispy tan plumes. Schizachyrium is very tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions including clay or sand, as well as acidic or alkaline pH's. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
.jpg "Miscanthus 'Gilded Tower' PP 14,743 (Gilded Tower Maiden Grass)")
.jpg "Miscanthus sinensis 'Gold Bar' PP 15,193 (Gold Bar Maiden Grass)")
.jpg "Muhlenbergia capillaris 'White Cloud' (White Awn Muhly Grass)")
.jpg "Muhlenbergia 'Pink Flamingos' (Pink Flamingos Muhly Grass)")
.jpg "Nassella tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass)")
.jpg "Panicum amarum 'Dewey Blue' (Dewey Blue Bitter Switchgrass)")
