Blog

This IS your grandfather's ornamental grass! An original, and still a champion. An oldie, and still a goodie.  One of the earliest cultivars of Miscanthus has graced American gardens since the early 1900s. All these years later, it is still swoon-worthy, still a top seller, and still the standard. Stately clumps of slender green leaves with gleaming silver midribs grow to 7 feet tall. In October, the reddish bronze inflorescences gradually turn to silver, rem …

Calamagrostis xacutiflora 'Karl Foerster'When choosing grasses, planting the right stuff, at the right time, makes you look downright brilliant. And choosing the right genus is absolute genius. For a remarkable number of sites and situations, Calamagrostis is more than a good choice, it's a smart move. A superstar of the genus, 'Karl Foerster', is no "new kid on the block". It's famous worldwide for its beauty, adaptability, and ease of culture. 'Karl Foerster' is not merely a good plant, it's a …

From the breeding wizardry of North Carolina State University and the team at Darwin Perennials, we offer two stellar grasses that have a unique advantage: They're infertile - functionally sterile - so you won't need to block any pesky pop-ups. Miscanthus sinensis Bandwidth™ Will Bandwidth™ magically endow the garden with Wi-Fi? Probably not, but the broad bands of bright gold on its stiff, upright blades guarantee great garden and retail reception. No other ornamental grass crams mor …

Need something interesting to plant in moist areas? Don't make a rash decision, we have a rush solution. Juncus beautifully untangles the mystery of wet garden spaces. The uncommon cylindrical foliage adds a stylish, contemporary vibe to water-laden locations. Its ability to tolerate standing water makes Juncus an outstanding offering for aquatic gardens or pondside swaths and a unique option for gorgeous containers.

Ornamental grasses are a beautiful addition to the winter garden, offering soft texture, movement, and height. Use to frame a pathway, along the back of a border, or as a subtle screen between zones.They look especially ethereal once covered in a layer of frost, as demonstrated in this garden above. Try Maiden Grass Miscanthus for a shot of icy color. …

Unlike their short-lived counterparts, perennials are typically cold-hardy plants that will return again in the spring. They usually bloom for only one season each year (either spring, summer, or fall), but there are also reblooming and long-blooming perennials. When grown in favorable conditions, perennials often live a long time, but don’t assume they will last forever. Their life span is variable, and some may live for only three to five years. Perennials also vary greatly in terms of th …

Winter is probably the easiest time of year to kill a houseplant. Grueling growing conditions like lower light levels, dry air, shorter days and chilly temperatures put houseplants through the paces. The secret to helping plants survive winter is adjusting care routines to suit seasonal growing conditions. Review the basics to give your houseplants top-notch care this winter. Light In winter, the sun slips lower in the sky and light levels near windows drop up to 50%. Houseplants that g …

A well-designed perennial garden can provide many years of beauty and enjoyment. Careful selection of plant material and thoughtful planning will result in a full season of color.Perennials often require less maintenance than most annual flowers. Once established, they generally require less water and have fewer pest problems than annuals.Perennial gardens may serve as a border along a fence or property line, easing the maintenance and water requirements of a lawn in such areas. It is visually p …

Call us biased, but we think every garden should include grasses. We know some don’t, but we’re working on it. Call us crazy, or lazy, but y’know what else we think? We think gardeners and landscapers should leave grasses right where they are in fall. Let ‘em stand. Ignore them while you do other cleanup chores.Ornamental Grasses provide movement, interest and sound even in winter, even when dormant, just as they did all summer. Standing proudly through a blanket of snow, they give …

It’s rank blasphemy to rank any ornamental grass higher than world-famous Calamagrostos 'Karl Foerster'. It is, after all, the first grass ever named Perennial Plant of the Year, and rightly so. It’s a handsome workhorse that makes a designer look like a genius. And it’s one of our top sellers. You won’t hear us dis it.But we WILL say there are other options in that very same species that give you Karl’s legendary reliability in a fresh, different look: Stripes!'Eldorado' (PP16486) has …