Santa Rosa Gardens - Spring/Summer 2008 - (Page 44) Northern SHADE sea oats Chasmanthium latifolium A warm-season, clump-forming grass native to southeast North America. Dangling, oat-like spikelets droop from rich, bamboo-like foliage. Great in dried arrangements. Useful as a formal accent, in mass plantings, or even as a container plant. Prefers moist soil. Deer resistant. Attracts birds and butterflies. Height 4' Spacing 2' Zones 5–9 CHA-LAT $5.99 A Quaking grass C. Briza media An easy to grow, dependable, all-purpose perennial grass that can be used as a single specimen or as a beautiful, unusual foreground plant. Quaking grass forms a dense clump and bears small heartshaped florets that emerge an iridescent green from April through June. Mature flowers turn golden and look like a rattlesnake’s rattle. The intriguing flower can be added to fresh or dried flower arrangements. Likes fertile soil. Height 2–3' Spacing 1' Zones 4–10 BRI-MED $5.99 Ribbon grass B This garden cultivar has been grown since the Victorian era. Its foliage is soft and vertical, tending to flop attractively, creating a natural look. The more shade there is, the taller the grass grows. Prefers moist areas such as streamside, but will do well in containers. The striped variegated foliage can form a solid, dense mat. Tolerates sandy or rocky soil, even windy coastal conditions, as long as water is provided. Thrives in wet, poorly draining soils. Deer resistant once established. Phalaris arundinacea ‘Dwarf’s Garters’ White-striped, variegated leaves. Seedheads emerge a soft white color. Considered to be more “well-mannered” and upright than other ribbon grass varieties. Turns pink with cool temperatures. Height 12–15" Spacing 1–2' Zones 4–9 PHA-DWA $5.99 D. Phalaris arundinacea ‘Strawberries and Cream’ Pretty in pink! A blush of color on the foliage when exposed to cool temperatures. Height 2–3' Spacing 1–2' Zones 4–9 Pampas grass A. Cortaderia selloanna White pampas grass. Large and bold with huge, feathery plumes. Pampas grass has been widely used since the Victorian era. Giant white plumes are held upright, high above graygreen foliage, which remains evergreen in mild climates. Height 10'+ Spacing 10' Zones 8–10 COR-WHI $5.99 B. Cortaderia selloanna ‘Pumila’ C PHA-STR $5.99 E. Phalaris var. ‘Picta’ Dwarf pampas. Hardier than the species! A dwarf form with narrow blue-green foliage that creates a graceful backdrop for stunning, creamy plumes. Height 5–7' Spacing 4–6' Zones 6–10 COR-PUM $6.99 Cortaderia selloanna ‘Rosea’ Pink pampas grass. Similar in appearance to white pampas grass, but has plumes blushed with pink. Tolerant of a wide range of soils and water extremes. Topped with fluffy 18–24" plumes blushed with pink in August–November. Height 8'+ Spacing 10' Zones 8–10 COR-ROS $5.99 44 The tallest of the Phalaris species, ‘Picta’ is characterized by creamy-white and green variegation. Its clean, white look makes it an eye-catching addition to a shady spot. Height 2–3' Spacing 1–2' Zones 4–9 PHA-PIC $5.99 Ruby grass F. Melinis nerviglumis ‘Savannah’ D Pink crystals ruby grass has showy pink flowers that emerge in summer. Blooms carry well into fall. Valuable in flower arrangements, fresh or dried. Excellent container and garden specimen. Height 18–24" Spacing 9–12" Zone 9 MEL-SAV $5.99 Sea oats G. Uniola paniculata A tall, erect grass whose leaves grow 8–16" in length. Seedheads become a straw-like color in the late summer. Known for being fast in establishing itself and for its high tolerance of wind, sand, and salt. Most commonly seen at or around beaches on sand dunes. Height 6'+ Spacing 2–4' Zones 6–10 UNI-SEA $5.99 www.santarosagardens.com · Toll Free: 1-866-681-0856 http://www.santarosagardens.com
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