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Ornamental grasses for southwestern landscapes

Most Ornamental grasses are easy to take care of. They are not sustectible to insects and rarely need to be fertilized.
Most will go dormant during the winter. You can cut them down low to the ground, and they will vigorously grow back during spring.
Pampas Grass or Cortalderia selloana. This is a fast growing exotic ornamental grass. Usually evergreen in warmer climates. Normal variety grows to about 10ft high and 20ft wide. Should be planted in groups. Has showy spike flower plumes and razor edged leaves (ouch)! Dwarf variety available at your local nursery. Likes full sun and very drought tolerant. Grows best at about 6500 ft. elevation.
Fountain Grass or Pennisetum spp. Most grow about 3ft. tall and about 5ft. wide. Purple fountain grass or Pennisetum alopecuroides is a favorite among southwestern New Mexicans. Nice feathery plumes in the fall. They all like full sun, and good fertilized soil. Nice purple undertones for good natural color. This grass loves southern New Mexico and west Texas regions.

Blue Fescue or Festuca caesia. Nice mounding exotic pale blue grass with ornamental flowers. Can be used as a ground cover. Loves colder climates but will tolerate drought conditions. Likes full sun and or shade. This ornamental grows to about 1ft. tall and wide and stays green year round. Ask your local nursery for more advice.

Below are pictures of ornamental grasses. Click on picture for more information or to make a purchase.

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Autumn Moor Grass Scientific Name: Sesleria autemnalis Zone: '5 - 11' Sun: Full Sun to Partial Sun "The Grass, 'Autumn Moor', Sesleria autumnalis, is very upright.This ornamental grass is a tough yet beautiful evergreen with vivid yellow green to almost chartr... more	Big Bluestem Grass Scientific Name: Andropogon gerardii Zone: '4 - 10' Sun: Full Sun to Partial Sun "The Grass, 'Big Bluestem', Andropogon gerardii, is a native prairie grass. This grass is also called Turkey feet because the shape of the seed heads ... more	China Love Grass Scientific Name: Eragrostis species Zone: '7 - 11' Sun: Full Sun "The Grass 'China Love Grass', Eragrostis sp., is a dense mounded grass with a handsome compact foliage. The beautiful, pinkish-red, airy flowers, fro... more
Dwarf Fountain Grass Scientific Name: Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' Zone: '4 - 9' Sun: Full Sun "The Grass 'Dwarf Fountain Grass', Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'. The dwarf fountain grass 'Hameln' is a great grass for a specimen or in mass pla... more	Dwarf Variegated Ribbon Grass Scientific Name: Phalaris arundinacea 'Dwarf Garters' Zone: '4 - 11' Sun: Full Sun "The Grass 'Dwarf Variegated Ribbon grass', Phalaris arundinacea dwarf garters, is an outstanding, upright arching grass. It is similar to 'Strawberri... more	Dwarf White Striped Sweet Flag Grass Scientific Name: Acorus gramineus Varigatus Zone: '5 - 11' Sun: Full Sun "The Grass 'Dwarf White Striped Sweet Flag', Acorus gramineus Variegatus, is a mounded, non-invasive rhizone. This old garden favorite loves moist con... more
Evergold Sedge Grass Scientific Name: Carex hachioensis 'Evergold' Zone: '5 - 11' Sun: Full Shade to Full Sun "The Grass 'Evergold Sedge', Carex hoshimensis 'Evergold' is a mounded grass. A Japanese sedge that forms a low cascading clump of evergreen leathery ... more	Feather Reed Grass Scientific Name: Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' Zone: '4 - 9' Sun: Full Sun "The Grass 'Feather Reed Grass', Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster', is a beautiful upright grass. 'Karl Forester' is a cool season grower wit... more	Golden Fruited Sedge Grass Scientific Name: Carex granularis Zone: '4 - 11' Sun: Full Sun "The Grass 'Golden Fruited Sedge', Cyperales Cyperaceae Carex aurea, is a mounded sedge grass. A sedge with beautiful silver foliage and showy spring ... more
Golden Variegated Hakone Grass Scientific Name: Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' Zone: 4 - 8' Sun: Full Sun "The Grass 'Golden Variegeted Hakone Grass', Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola', is a mounded non-invasive rhizome grass. It has brilliant yellow, bamboo-lik... more	Golden Variegated Sweet Flag Grass Scientific Name: Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' Zone: '5 - 11' Sun: Full Sun "The Grass 'Golden Variegated Sweet Flag', Acorus gramineus Ogon, is a mounded, non-invasive rhizome grass. It is great for containers, edging or as a... more	Green Sedge Grass Scientific Name: Carex dipsacea Zone: '7 - 11' Sun: Full Shade to Partial Sun "The Grass 'Green Sedge', Carex dipsacea, is a mounded sedge. It is striking and versatile. Green Sedge features slender, iridescent olive green leave... more

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