Amy K. Stone
Extension Agent, Horticulture
The Agricultural Business Enhancement Center
Becky McCann
Program Assistant, Horticulture
The Agricultural Business Enhancement Center
Evaluators
Dale Graber, Master Gardener
Hank Hiris, Master Gardener
Dawn McCaghy, Master Gardener
Dorothy Zurhiede, Master Gardener
An ornamental grass demonstration garden was installed at the Ohio State University Extension, Agricultural Business Enhancement (ABE) Center in the fall of 1996. The purpose of the garden is to provide information to our clientele regarding ornamental grasses. The plants in the garden are labeled with the scientific and common names for observation. Five Master Gardener volunteers evaluated the gardens in 1997. The demonstration garden is an ongoing research project of Northwest Ohio Master Gardeners.
In recent years, the popularity of ornamental grasses has been on the rise. This is evident with the increase of plantings in public gardens, home landscapes, as well as the availability of additional plants at garden centers and nurseries. There has also been an increase in consumer calls to Extension offices requesting information on certain characteristics of ornamental grass varieties, the care and maintenance of these plants, and plant hardiness.
In an attempt to meet the needs of clientele in Northwest Ohio, Master Gardeners at the ABE Center planted and evaluated an ornamental grass demonstration garden. The garden is located outside the ABE Center office in Bowling Green. The bed is on the east side of a two-story brick building. The soil conditions vary greatly from clay (native soil type) to sand (used as a backfill when the building was built). A two inch layer of mulch was applied during the initial planting stage, and Master Gardeners weeded the area when necessary. An application of fertilizer was applied in November 1997.
Forty-five ornamental grass plants are in the demonstration garden. The garden was planted in the fall of 1996. In 1997, volunteers evaluated the grasses every two weeks during the months of May through September, and once a month the remainder of the year.
Each evaluator ranked the foliage, inflorescence (INFLOR.), damage from insect, damage from disease, and added additional noteworthy comments. Each total was obtained by averaging the data collected. A rating scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest, was used. Following is the summary of the evaluations of this project.
| Andropogon gerardiiBig Bluestem | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 3.2 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 2.3 | 2.0 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 3.2 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 2.3 | 2.0 |
| COMMENTS | -attractive plant | -very attractive | -attractive plant -very nice plant | -can't believe how this has grown | green & reddish | |||
| INFLOR.color | 3.2 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 2.5 | |||
| INFLOR.texture | 3.0 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 2.5 | |||
| INFLOR.overall | 3.0 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 2.5 | |||
| COMMENTS | -seems to be just starting | -some stems are broken at base of plant | ||||||
| Arundo donaxGiant Reed | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 4.2 | 5.0 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 4.2 | 5.0 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 3.3 | 3.0 |
| COMMENTS | -nice coarse, corn-like texture -good blue -green color | -wide leaves & height -attractive but coarse looking -good for privacy | -healthy -nice plant, good blue- green color, upright stance, coarse texture -needs lots of room | - "clacks" in the breeze -good looking but coarse | -ends of blades shredded | -ends of blades torn | ||
| INFLOR.color | 2.5 | 2.3 | 1.5 | |||||
| INFLOR.texture | 2.5 | 2.3 | 1.5 | |||||
| INFLOR.overall | 2.5 | 2.3 | 1.5 | |||||
| COMMENTS |
-one flower at top just starting to bloom | -only one at top | ||||||
| Briza mediaQuaking Grass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 3.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 |
| COMMENTS | -have seen it darker green | -like the color | -nice green | -still very green | ||||
| INFLOR.color | ||||||||
| INFLOR.texture | ||||||||
| INFLOR.overall | ||||||||
| COMMENTS | ||||||||
| Calamagrostis arundinacea 'Karl Foerster'Foerster's Feather-reed Grass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 3.7 | 2.5 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 3.7 | 2.5 |
| COMMENTS | -very little browning of foliage | -very attractive | -attractive & desirable | -great erect habit | ||||
| INFLOR.color | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 3.0 | 1.5 |
| INFLOR.texture | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 3.0 | 1.5 |
| INFLOR.overall | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 3.0 | 1.5 |
| COMMENTS | -attractive -desirable character- istics -beautiful foliage & inflor- escence | -attractive -close to being the best plant in the garden | ||||||
| Calamagrostis arundinacea brachtrichaKorean Reed Grass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 4.2 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 1.5 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 1.5 |
| COMMENTS | -very little browning of foliage | -very attractive -variegated foliage is very nice -'Karl Foerster' looks better | -some browning variegation | -first time I noticed varie- gation of foliage (nice) -lacks good color | -just noticed the foliage leaves | -lovely, narrow variegated | ||
| INFLOR.color | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 3.0 | |
| INFLOR.texture | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 3.0 | |
| INFLOR.overall | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 3.0 | |
| COMMENTS | -another nice one | -pretty good | -attractive | |||||
| Carex x 'The Beatles'The Beatles Sedge | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGE-color | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| FOLIAGE-overall | 2.8 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| COMMENTS | -still green | |||||||
| INFLOR.color | ||||||||
| INFLOR.texture | ||||||||
| INFLOR.overall | ||||||||
| COMMENTS | ||||||||
| Carex glaucaBlue Sedge | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGE-color | 3.7 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| FOLIAGE-overall | 3.7 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| COMMENTS | -good blue -some yellow foliage | -slight yellow or brown on a few blades | -some yellowing | -minor browning of some blades | ||||
| INFLOR.color | 3.2 | 3.0 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | ||
| INFLOR.texture | 3.0 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | ||
| INFLOR.overall | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | ||
| COMMENTS | -thin | -just beginning | -minimal | -very few flowers | -very little flowering | |||
| Chasmanthium latifoliumNorthern Sea Oats | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 2.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 2.7 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 2.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 2.7 |
| COMMENTS | -a little ratty only one sprout -one plant has | -blades somewhat yellow -one plant still small | -one is still small | -one plant is yellowing | -one still small | -foliage somewhat yellowish, with jagged ends | -rather ragged | -one plant looks great |
| INFLOR.color | 4.0 | 5.0 | 3.6 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 3.5 |
| INFLOR.texture | 4.0 | 5.0 | 3.6 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 3.5 |
| INFLOR.overall | 4.0 | 5.0 | 3.6 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 3.5 |
| COMMENTS | -nice | -desirable plant for its inflor- escence- interesting | -only one is flowering | |||||
| Deschampsia 'Goldstaub'Goldstaub Tufted Hairgrass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 3.2 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 1.5 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 2.7 | 3.0 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 1.5 |
| COMMENTS | -lots of dead | -considerable browning of foliage | -most of foliage has turned to wheat color | -most of foliage is tan and flopped over | -mostly brown and flopped over | |||
| INFLOR.color | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | |
| INFLOR.texture | 4.2 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | |
| INFLOR.overall | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | |
| COMMENTS | -lovely, wheat- colored -thick, blowing in wind | -no t very appealing | ||||||
| Deschampsia caespitosaTufted Hairgrass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 3.6 | 3.0 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 1.5 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 3.2 | 3.0 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 1.5 |
| COMMENTS | -looks better than Goldstaub | -some browning, attractive | -most foliag e is still green | -some green & some wheat colored | -foliage much greener than Goldstaub | |||
| INFLOR.color | 3.6 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 2.0 | |
| INFLOR.texture | 3.6 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | |
| INFLOR.overall | 3.3 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | |
| COMMENTS | -not as dense as Goldstaub | -not as dense as Goldstaub | -a bit more "ragged" in appearance than Goldstaub | |||||
| Elymus arenarius 'Glaucus' Blue Lyme Grass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 1.0 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 3.2 | 3.0 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| COMMENTS | -good blue color, but consider- able browning & splotching | -some browning -it may have been stepped on | -good blue color -blades floppy | -some brown blades -floppy, it may have been stepped on | -floppy | -good blue color -some browning | ||
| INFLOR.color | ||||||||
| INFLOR.texture | ||||||||
| INFLOR.overall | ||||||||
| COMMENTS | ||||||||
| Festuca cinereaBlue Fescue | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 2.5 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 2.5 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| COMMENTS | -some browning oliage -lots of dead spots -not very healthy | -some dieback in middle of clump | -dieback in center of plants | -color not even bluish -dieback in middle of plants | -both plants have died in center -no noticeable blue cast to blades | -consid- erable die out in center of plants | -center of clumps dead | |
| INFLOR.color | 2.7 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | |
| INFLOR.texture | 2.7 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1.5 | |
| INFLOR.overall | 2.7 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1.5 | |
| COMMENTS | -drying out -nice one, sparse on other -insignificant | -very fine textured | -very fine textured | -not showy | -very fine textured | -not showy | ||
| Festuca cinerea 'Elijah Blue'Elijah Blue Fescue | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.6 | 3.5 | 2.7 | 2.0 | ||
| FOLIAGEoverall | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 2.0 | ||
| COMMENTS | -very little appeal -some brown on tips | -good blue color -browning on tips | -good blue color -browning on tips | -good blue color -browning on tips | -good blue color -browning on tips | |||
| INFLOR.color | ||||||||
| INFLOR.texture | ||||||||
| INFLOR.overall | ||||||||
| COMMENTS | ||||||||
| Helictotrichon sempervirensBlue Oat Grass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 3.7 | 3.0 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.0 |
| COMMENTS | -small plant with some brown blades -good blue color | -some browning blades, but a great blue -generally good color | -excellent blue -some browning | -considerable browning of blades | -good blue, but lots of brown/tan blades too | nice blue upright stiff blades | ||
| INFLOR.color | ||||||||
| INFLOR.texture | ||||||||
| INFLOR.overall | ||||||||
| COMMENTS | ||||||||
| Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron'Japanese Blood Grass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 2.6 | 3.5 | 1.0 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 2.8 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 3.5 | 1.0 |
| COMMENTS | -plants are struggling -not very attractive | -one plant very small | -one plant still very tiny, and very little red color | -one plant looks pretty good, the other is struggling | -good red color | |||
| INFLOR.color | 3.6 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |
| INFLOR.texture | 3.3 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |
| INFLOR.overall | 3.3 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |
| COMMENTS | -somewhat ragged in appearance | -only one in flower | -only one plant in flower | |||||
| Luzula sylvaticaGreater Woodrush | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 3.6 | 3.0 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 3.6 | 3.0 | 2.2 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 3.0 |
| COMMENTS | -some brown tips of foliage -one plant is nearly dead | -browning on tips, also splotches -one plant dead | -one plant dead -one plant poor color -one plant very good | -some reddish color on blades -some blades look dead at the base | -some discolor- ation on blades -overall good appear- ance -one of the 2 living plants is much larger | -browning tips -some red on one plant | -color still mostly green -some reddish color on blades and dark at tips | |
| INFLOR.color | ||||||||
| INFLOR.texture | ||||||||
| INFLOR.overall | ||||||||
| COMMENTS | ||||||||
| Miscanthus giganteusGiant Chinese Silver Grass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 4.4 | 5.0 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 4.6 | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 4.0 | 5.0 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 3.7 | 3.0 |
| COMMENTS | -some brown leaf blades down low | - "Great" is right! Nearly 6 ft. tall -stem & leaf contrast is attractive -good background plant -hardy looking | -some brown blades at base of plant -fine background plant | - "Wow!" 7-8 ft. tall -looks better on each evaluation -beautiful grass | -some brown blades at base -bodaciously tall! | -Wow! -in spite of brown appearance it's still attractive | ||
| INFLOR.color | ||||||||
| INFLOR.texture | ||||||||
| INFLOR.overall | ||||||||
| COMMENTS | -just starting to bloom, contrast is eyecatching | |||||||
| Miscanthus sinensus 'Morning Light''Morning Light' Miscanthus | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 4.3 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 2.0 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 4.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 2.0 |
| COMMENTS | -quite attractive | -nice, refined foliage | -upright, erect stems -now red | |||||
| INFLOR.color | 3.6 | 3.3 | 1.5 | |||||
| INFLOR.texture | 3.6 | 3.3 | 1.5 | |||||
| INFLOR.overall | 3.6 | 3.3 | 1.5 | |||||
| COMMENTS | -reddish-silver, nice! | |||||||
| Miscanthus sinensus 'Purpurascens'Flame Grass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 4.4 | 5.0 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 4.2 | 5.0 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| COMMENTS | -some brown leaf tips -no obvious red purple tint to leaves | -attractive plant | -good because of color -slight reddish purple cast to insides of some stems -fine specimen plant | -very good plant | -very fine plant in landscape | |||
| INFLOR.color | 4.3 | 4.6 | 3.5 | 2.5 | ||||
| INFLOR.texture | 4.3 | 4.6 | 3.5 | 2.5 | ||||
| INFLOR.overall | 4.3 | 4.6 | 3.5 | 2.5 | ||||
| COMMENTS | -reddish when it first appears then very light tan | -both red & tan flowers | ||||||
| Miscanthus sinensus 'Strictus'Porcupine Grass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 3.3 | 2.0 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 3.3 | 2.0 |
| COMMENTS | -very little browning on leaf tips -some spots are lighter on some foliage | -nice -not a bad plant | -good plant | -nice erect habit | ||||
| INFLOR.color | 3.0 | 4.6 | 3.3 | 2.0 | ||||
| INFLOR.texture | 3.0 | 4.3 | 3.3 | 2.5 | ||||
| INFLOR.overall | 3.0 | 4.3 | 3.3 | 2.0 | ||||
| COMMENTS | -just beginning to flower -could be fine in many landscapes | -good in any garden | -lost all appeal since frost | |||||
| Miscanthus sinensus 'Variegatus'Variegated Miscanthus | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 3.6 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| COMMENTS | -small plant, some browning along edges and tips -not thriving too well | -some browning -plant still very small | -some brown tips | -plant is still very small | some brown tips | -plant still quite short | ||
| INFLOR.color | ||||||||
| INFLOR.texture | ||||||||
| INFLOR.overall | ||||||||
| COMMENTS | ||||||||
| Miscanthus sinensus 'Zebrinus'Zebra Grass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 4.2 | 5.0 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 3.0 | 1.5 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 3.6 | 5.0 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 3.0 | 1.5 |
| COMMENTS | -a few brown tips | -nice variegated appearance | -not very full plant | -minor browning of some blade tips -noteworthy because of variegation | -very attractive | -great for contrast | -lost appeal since frost | |
| INFLOR.color | 2.0 | |||||||
| INFLOR.texture | 2.0 | |||||||
| INFLOR.overall | 2.0 | |||||||
| COMMENTS | ||||||||
| Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'Blue Switch Grass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.5 | ||
| FOLIAGEoverall | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 1.5 | ||
| COMMENTS | -just planted | -good blue color | ||||||
| INFLOR.color | 2.5 | 3.6 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.3 | |||
| INFLOR.texture | 2.5 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.3 | |||
| INFLOR.overall | 2.5 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.3 | |||
| COMMENTS | -flowers just beginning | -not fully developed | ||||||
| Panicum virgatum 'Haense Herms'Red Switch Grass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 4.6 | 4.0 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 4.4 | 4.0 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| COMMENTS | -some splotching and browning | -some browning of tips of blades | -it's beautiful -very fine with a reddish cast | -very desirable | -some brown tips -no reddish cast left to foliage -somewhat floppy | -outstandingly beautiful | ||
| INFLOR.color | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 2.5 |
| INFLOR.texture | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.6 | 3.7 | 2.5 |
| INFLOR.overall | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 2.5 |
| COMMENTS | -lovely, airy | -color contrast between foliage and inflorescence is very attractive -beautiful | -beautiful and airy -looks better each time I see it | -beautiful and airy | -should be in everybody's landscape | -this is the best all round grass | ||
| Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'Dwarf Fountain Grass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 3.6 | 2.5 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.0 | ||
| FOLIAGEoverall | 3.3 | 2.5 | 3.6 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 2.0 | ||
| COMMENTS | -just planted -coming along fine -shows great promise | -lots of brown among the green foliage | -wheat colored | |||||
| INFLOR.color | 4.0 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 2.0 | 2.0 | ||
| INFLOR.texture | 4.0 | 2.5 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 2.0 | 2.0 | ||
| INFLOR.overall | 4.0 | 2.5 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 2.0 | 2.0 | ||
| COMMENTS | -fairly desirable for it's inflorescence | -rather attractive | -looks like little bottle brushes -attractive & desirable | -fluffy | ||||
| Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny' -Little Bunny Fountain Grass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | ||||||||
| FOLIAGEoverall | ||||||||
| COMMENTS | all three died over winter | |||||||
| INFLOR.color | ||||||||
| INFLOR.texture | ||||||||
| INFLOR.overall | ||||||||
| COMMENTS | ||||||||
| Phalaris arundinacea var. pictaRibbon Grass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 3.5 | 3.5 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 3.0 | 3.5 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| COMMENTS | -considerable browning, especially on plants against brick wall | -only one looks good, rest look brown | -dying blades, looks like it is struggling to survive | -one plant rates a '5', the rest look sunburned | -plants next to brick wall look burned | -only one looks good away from the brick wall | -browning leaves | |
| INFLOR.color | ||||||||
| INFLOR.texture | ||||||||
| INFLOR.overall | ||||||||
| COMMENTS | ||||||||
| Sesleria caeruleaBlue Moor Grass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 3.0 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.0 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 3.0 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.0 |
| COMMENTS | -mixed blue & green blades | -fairly good color -lovely blue/green -one of the two plants looks better | -good blue/green color | -minor browning on blade tips | -good blue/green color | -good blue/green color | ||
| INFLOR.color | 3.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | |
| INFLOR.texture | 2.6 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | |
| INFLOR.overall | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | |
| COMMENTS | -sparse | -present in only the good looking plant | -sparse | -sparse | -not showy | |||
| Spartina pectinata 'Variegata'Variegated Prairie Cordgrass | ||||||||
| 7/21/97 | 8/03/97 | 8/18/97 | 9/01/97 | 9/15/97 | 10/97 | 11/97 | 12/97 | |
| FOLIAGEcolor | 4.7 | 5.0 | 4.2 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 3.6 | 3.0 | 1.0 |
| FOLIAGEoverall | 4.7 | 5.0 | 4.2 | 3.0 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 2.7 | 1.0 |
| COMMENTS | -not a lot of variegation | -one is upright, the other is flopped over | -one is flopped over | -foliage tends to flop at base -variegation not apparent | ||||
| INFLOR.color | 3.0 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 2.3 | ||
| INFLOR.texture | 3.0 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 2.3 | ||
| INFLOR.overall | 3.0 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 2.3 | ||
| COMMENTS | -just starting | -interesting -only one flower stem | -interesting green flowers coming off stems at 45 degree angle | -just starting to open | ||||