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....helping
restore the earth |
Grasses,
sedges, and rushes are
one of the necessary ingredients which draw together flowers, shrubs,
trees
& vines. Grasses provide wildlife cover, nesting materials for
birds
as well as nesting sites for certain groundnesting birds. Grasses also
provide larval food for various butterflies. Many of the sedges
& rushes
& some of the grasses are meant to be planted at water's edge,
even
in the water. These plants provide cover for critters to whom water is
a critical part of their life cycle (not just drinking water). Frogs
&
toads lay their eggs in water as well as dragonflies &
multitudes of
other beneficial critters. The water plants provide shelter from fish
&
other predators. Grasses are in the Poaceae family, whereas Carex
belong
to the Cyperaceae family & rushes & reeds are generally
in the
Juncaceae family.
Andropogon gerardii Big
bluestem / Turkeyfoot
sold out
Arkansas native
Sun Zones
4-9 Family: Poaceae
The name - Big bluestem- invokes
thoughts of the tall grass prairies that used to blanket the
Midwest.
Thankfully some forward thinking people have dones something to
preserve
some of the prairie. Big bluestem has a height range of 4 to
7 feet
and does best in full sun. A long lived grass, it slowly
increased
by short shizomes and becomes drought tolerant and
excellent for
erosion control. Fall color ranges from orange to copper red.
Birds
use the foliage in nest making & eat the seeds.
Andropogon glomeratus
Bushy bluestem
out
Arkansas native
Sun/pt shade Z: 5-9 Family:
Poaceae
Bushy bluestem is a clump
forming warm season grass that is native to the southeastern states
through
Texas & Oklahoma. Bushy bluestem is very attractive
in bloom
which occurs in late summer & stays through winter.
Wetland indicator:
FACS+
Birds
-
butterflies
Andropogon ternarius
Split beard bluestem
$out
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Zones 6-9 Family: Poaceae
Blue green foliage on this
more diminutive bluestem which turns copper colored in the
fall.
18 to 24" tall with silvery seed heads in late summer.
Probably our most drought tolerant native grass.
Andropogon saccharoides Silver beard bluestem
Sold out
Synonym: Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana.
Arkansas Native Sun
Zones 4-9 Family: Poaceae
Silver beard bluestem is an
exceptional native bunch grass that is lille known but is quickly
becomining
a favorite of those who grow it. The seed heads, which mature
in
late summer and hold through winter, catch the fall & winter
sunlight
from most any angle and seem to glow from within. This grass
also
has a nice reddish fall color. Also known as Silver
beardgrass, it
will grow in any soil, including clay. Drought
buster! Birds
use silver beard grass in nesting & eat the seeds as well.
Anthaenantia texana Kral's Silkyscale
sold out
Arkansas native
Sun to part shade Zones 6-9 guessing Family: Poaceae
Very little is known about
this grass so I'm guessing the hardiness is at least 6 to 9 and maybe
much
colder. Nice purple florets that turn brown with
age. In the
wild it grows in open pine savannas and salne barrens that are wet in
the
winter and spring and dry in the summer & early fall.
Kral's
silkyscale is 2 to 3 feet tall. (newly described species)
Thanks to Theo Witsell for the seed.
Aristida purpurea Purple
threeawn
$sold out
Arkansas native
Sun to part shade Zones 4-10 Family: Poaceae
A perennial bunchgrass with
the foliage to one foot & the flowers arising another 10-12"
aboe that.
In summer the seed heads form a cloud of purple. Keep pets
away as
the seed lodges in their coats. Drought
tolerant.
BIRDS & Butterflies
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Aristida purpurascens Arrow-feather three awn
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native Full sun 2-3' Family: Poaceae
Very attractive clumping grass, Drought tolerant when established.
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Bromus pubescens Hairy wood brome
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native Part Sun Z: 4-9 Family: Poaceae
30 to 40" tall. This
grass prefers partial sun to light shade, moist to mesic conditions,
and soil containing fertile loam, silt-loam, or sandy loam. It is one
of the taller grasses with some tolerance of shade.
Bouteloua curtipendula Side oats gramma
$out
Arkansas native
Sun
to shade Zones 4-9 Family: Poaceae
Lovely grass with the
inflorescences on one side of the stem, thus the common name.
Very
tolerant to most conditions once established. Can take it
pretty
dry, but also can take seasonal flooding. BIRDS
& Butterflies
Bracheletrum erectum Long awned wood grass
$8.00 3.5" pot
Arkansas native Pt sun/shade Z: 4-9
2-3' mesic conditions Plant is rhizomatous and will make small colonies where happy.
Buchloe dactyloides Buffalo
grass
$out
native
Sun Zones 5-11 Family: Poaceae
Growing only 4-6" in height, this is an ideal lawn grass for
many areas.
It needs at least 6 hours sun per day & is usually suited for
areas
with 10 to 35 inches of precipitation. Buffalo grass likes
clay soils
& does not perform well on very sandy soils.
Sedges have edges; rushes
are round; grasses are hollow up from the ground. Or Sedges
have
edges; rushes are round; grasses have nodes all the way to the ground.
Carex abscondita Thicket Sedge
$10.00 quart
Arkansas native
Shade to dappled sun Zones
3-10 Family: Cyperaceae
Thicket sedge ia a low growing grass-like plant that does well in lightly shaded area.. BIRDS
& Butterflies
Carex annectans Yellowfruit Sedge
sold out
Arkansas native
Sun to Shade Zones
3-10 Family: Cyperaceae
Yellowfruit sedge in nature, is found in moist or wet areas, is
good for rain gardens & bioretention projects.
Attractive
yellow seed heads stand above the foliage. Ducks &
other
waterfowl feed on the fruit. Thanks to the Shaw Nature
Reserve
for this seed. BIRDS
& Butterflies
Carex aureolensis Gold Sedge
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native
Sun or Shade Zones
Family: Cyperaceae
Gold sedge is an excellent substitute for liriope, mondo grass, English ivy and other
commonly used alien plants. 10” in height, it gently creeps along making a good groundcover.
Mow in early March. Interplant with slender Mountain Mint or wild petunia.
Seed thanks to Shaw Nature Reserve.
Carex bicknelli Bicknell's
sedge
sold out
Arkansas native
Sun/part
shade Zones 3-10 Family: Cyperaceae
A low clumping sedge with
narrow leaf blades. Native to most of the eastern half of the
United
States and usually found on prairies, bluff ledges & both mesic
&
dry upland forests. Good for shady areas where you'd like
some ground
cover.
Carex brevior Shortbeak
sedge
$sold out
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Zones 3-10
Family: Cyperaceae
Generally low growing sedge
for dry open areas. Native from Canada to Mexico.
Small fruits
appears mid summer.
Carex bushii Bush's
sedge
$ 10.00 qt
Arkansas native
Full Sun to part shade Zones 5-8
Family: Cyperaceae
Bush’s sedge grow 24-36” in height with reddish brown showy flowers.
Moist to wet soils, this sedge should be planted in mass for a good effect.
Carex buxbaumii Buxbaum's Sedge
$out
Arkansas native
Sun to part shade Zones
6-10 Family: Cyperaceae
Buxbaums sedge has short creeping rhizome and is found in fen, pond
edges & other wetlands. BIRDS
& Butterflies
Carex cephalophora
Capitate Sedge
sold out
Arkansas native
Shade Zones 3-9
Family: Cyperaceae
Shady & fairly dry ....
A good groundcover, Capitate sedge doesn’t
even get a foot tall and tolerates most soils types. An alternative to lawn grasses.
Average to dry conditions.
Carex cherokeensis
Cherokee Sedge
$out
Arkansas native
Shade Zones 6-10
Family: Cyperaceae
Shady & fairly dry ....
Cherokee sedge can handle it after being established although you will
find it where it is quite damp. Deep green fine leaf blades makes neat
clumps, spreading slowly. BIRDS
& Butterflies
Carex comosa
Longhair sedge / Bristly sedge
$10.00 quart
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Zone: 4-9 Family: Cyperaceae
Also known as bottlebrush
sedge, Carex comosa grows between 1 1/2 and 4 feet tall along margins
of
creeks, ponds, sloughs & lakes. The
fruit is eaten by many waterfowl
as well as swamp and tree sparrows & other songbirds.
Thanks to Theo Witsell for this seed which came from Grassy
Lake.
Wetland species!
Carex crinita
Fringed sedge
$10.00 quart
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Zones 3-10 Family: Cyperaceae
Plants with short creeping
rhizomes which form dense clumps. Native to most of the
eastern United
States going west to MN & Texas. Generally found in
wetlands.
Carex crus-corvi
Crowfoot sedge
$out
Arkansas native
Sun/shade
Zones 3-10 Family: Cyperaceae
Gray green leaves mark this
native sedge - native from Texas to Canada. Narrow leaves of
variable
lengths with the texture of the flowers adding interest.
Carex eburnea Bristle
leaf sedge
$SOLD OUT
Arkansas native
shade/morning
sun Z: 2-8 Family: Cyperaceae
Another little known sedge
that is so wonderful for those shady areas. Soft thread-like
green
leaves form clumps like little porcupines. At 6-10", this
little
sedge can be used as a border along pathways &
flowerbeds. Drought
tolerant once established. It can even be grown between rocks
in
a wall.
Carex festucaceae
Fescue-like sedge
$sold out
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Zones 3-10 Family: Cyperaceae
Leaves from 1"-12" make nice
clumps in moist areas along streams, fens, ditches & wet
pastures.
Blooms from May to July.
Carex fissa v. fissa
Hammock sedge
$out
Arkansas native
Sun to part shade Zones:(5)6 to 9 Family:
Cyperaceae
Hammock sedge grows in shallow
waters along the edges of ponds or lakes & in mixed grass
prairies
and mesic forests. From 10 to 30 inches, Hammock sedge blooms
from
May to June. Thanks again to Theo Witsell for the seed to
grow this
nice sedge.
Carex flaccosperma
Blue wood sedge
out
Arkansas native
Shade to morning sun Zones 5-8 Family: Cyperaceae
This is beautiful! Wide
glaucus blue leaves form a strong clump. Excellent for
dappled or
bright shade & drought tolerant once established.
Not aggressive. BIRDS
& Butterflies
Carex franki
Frank's sedge
sold out
Arkansas native
Sun to part shade Z: 4-9 Family: Cyperaceae
Frank's sedge is cespitose - which means it is not rhizomatos.
(doesn't spread by rhizomes) Another wetland species,
excellent
for waterfowl and little fishes
hiding places. 1 - 2'.
Don't regret growing old --
it's a privilege denied to many. -unknown
Carex gracillima
Graceful sedge
sold out
Arkansas native
Sun
to shade Z: 3-9 Family: Cyperaceae
Open woods is where Graceful
sedge is usually found. Deep green narrow leaves make nice
clumps
under dedcidusous trees. Birds use seeds
&
leaves.
Carex grayi Gray's
sedge
Out
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Zones 5-9 Family: Cyperaceae
Gray's sedge (AKA Morning
Star sedge) has greenish seed pods that are reminiscent of spiked
clubs.
While Gray's sedge grows quite well in full sun in moist &
fertile
soil, it does quite well in high shade. Native to mid & eastern
United
States. I saw it growing naturally along the Little Red River here in north central Arkansas. BIRDS & Butterflies
Carex hirsutella Fuzzy Wuzzy Sedge
out
Arkansas native
Light shade Zones 3-9 Family: Cyperaceae
Fuzzy Wuzzy sedge is found in uplands woods, savannahs & glades that are mesic to slightly dry.
Turkeys, cardinals, towhees, some sparrows & juncos feed on the seedheads.
12 to 24 inches is usual height.
Carex hyalinolepis
Thin scaled sedge
$19.00 quart
Arkansas native
Sun
to part shade Zones 6-9 Family: Cyperaceae
My good friend, Russell Studebaker
shared this wonderful native sedge with me - a wetland species that is
happy in the water or at the water's edge. Tall (24" or more)
blue
green narrow leaves are very attractive.BIRDS
& Butterflies
Carex hystericina Bottlebrush Sedge
$sold out
Arkansas native
Sun to part Shade Zones 3-9 Family: Cyperaceae
Bottlebrush sedge is native to most of the United States and is
found in wet meadows, along creeks, streams & rivers.
Plants
are from 1' to 3'. Excellent for naturalizing.
Bottlebrush
sedge is good for erosion control & streambank restoration.
.
BIRDS & Butterflies
Carex joorii Cypress
swamp sedge
$out
Arkansas native
Shade
to partial sun Z: 5-10 Maybe colder Family: Cyperaceae
Carex joorii makes large clumps
and blooms & makes fruit in the summer. In the wild
it usually
grows in sites that are flooded during the winter and spring, so it is
tolerant of standing water during that period. BIRDS & Butterflies feed on
this. Clump forming sedge.
Carex leavenworthii Lawn sedge
$ 10.00 quart few
Arkansas native
Lawn sedge grows in
partially sunny/shady soils - not really particular about soils
6 to 12 inches tall by 6 to 12 inches wide. Excellent lawn
substitute although it won't tolerate heavy foot traffic - use stepping
stones if necessary. This spreads by seed and not rhizomes.
Shade/pt
sun Z: 6-9 Family: Cyperaceae
. Many birds feed on these
seeds.
The
sedges made it with no problems!
staff have done an excellent job in packaging the plants. I know
you must hear this over and over, but your nursery is awesome! I
can't get over how excellent your plants are. I've been disappointed
before by the nurseries with the glossy catalogs and crappy plants.
Thanks for your dedication to restoring the earth with superb plants,
it
is making a difference. Good luck with all of your plants and the
work you and your staff do is greatly appreciated!
Neil F. S. Dakota
Carex lurida Shallow
sedge
$sold out
Arkansas native
Sun to part shade Zones 3-10
Family: Cyperaceae
This occurs commonly along
spring branches, small streams & pond border & Ranges
from Florida
to Texas & north to Maine, & Ontario. quarts.
Carex molesta
Troublesome sedge
$sold out
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Z: 3-8 Family: Cyperaceae
Evergreen sedge that reaches
about 3' at maturity. Moist soils. Flowers
& fruits in early
summer, just in time to feed hungry ducks & other waterfowl.
Carex oxylepis Sharp scale sedge
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native
Morning sun - open shade Zones: 5-9 Family: Cyperaceae
An excellent sedge for shady areas - dark green foliage 30-36".
Turkeys, and various songbirds
feed on the fruits
Carex muskengumensis
Palm Sedge
$sold out
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Z: 4-9 Family: Cyperaceae
Reaching 30 to 36 inches,
Palm sedge makes a nice show in the water garden. Fans of
leaves
give rise to its common name - Palm sedge. Palm sedge will also make a lawn grass substitute. Again, Palm sedge provides
crucial habitat for little fishes and other critters.
Carex pensylvanica
$ out
Arkansas native
Shade/morning
sun Zones 4-8 Family: Cyperaceae
Very fine leaves are the hallmark
of this low growing native sedge. Perfect for average to dry deciduous
woods. Slowly spreading it makes a very good groundcover. BIRDS & Butterflies
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Carex retroflexa Reflexed sedge
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native sun/part shade Z: 5-9
6-12" Ground cover type Best
grown in evenly moist to dry, well-draining, rich to sandy loams in
part sun to part shade. Will spread from seed but is generally not
considered aggressive
Carex rosea Curly styled sedge
$ out
Arkansas native
Shade / morning sun Z: 4-9 Family: Cyperaceae
A lovely woodland clump forming sedge with very fines leaves that get
six to twelve inches tall. Drought tolerant once established.
Carex scoparia Pointed Broom Sedge
$ out
Arkansas native
Part shade Z: 3-9 Family: Cyperaceae
Habitat includes wet ditches, fens, marshes and prairies. Pointed Broom sedge provides seed for various
waterfowl and some songbirds, as well as larval food plants for various skipper butterflies.
1 1/2 to 2 1/2 feet tall. Seed thanks to Theo Witsell.
Carex shortiana Short's caric sedge
$sold out
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Z: 4-9 Family: Cyperaceae
Reaching 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 feet tall, Short's sedge becomes quite showy in
early summer with its chocolate colored spikelets. Many caterpillar species use carex as a larval
food plant.
Carex sparganioides Bur Reed sedge
$sold out
Arkansas native
Shade to part sun Z:3-8
Family: Cyperaceae
Bur reed sedge is native to most of the easter & central states
in the U. S. At 12-40:, this sedge is found in both wet areas
& dry. Thanks to the Shaw Nature Reserve for these
seeds.
Carex squarrosa Squarrose sedge
$sold out
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Z: 3-9 Family: Cyperaceae
Wetland species the rises one to two feet with fruit
to feed waterfowl & leaves
that shelter tiny fishes & frogs.
Carex stipata Owlfruit sedge
$sold out
Native
Sun/part shade Zone 3-9 Family: Cyperaceae
Owlfruit or Awl-fruit sedge has wide leaf blades, grow 2 to 3 feet tall
& is happiest in wet soils or standing water. The seed of this sedge makes up 25% of the diet of
the Swamp Sparrow. BIRDS
& Butterflies
Carex stricta Tussock Sedge
$sold out
Arkansas native
Sun/pt shade Z: 4-8 Family: Cyperaceae
Tussock sedge makes dense 'tusssocks' of straw-colored leaves at the
base with bright green new growth emerging above this base.
Often found in shallow waters along creeks and streams with the foliage
above the water while the roots are submerged.
Carex suberecta Prairie Straw Sedge
sold out
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Zones 3-8 Family: Cyperaceae
Prairie Straw Sedge is another wetland species found in Fens,
calcareous sedge meadows, lake shores & wet prairies.
Carex texensis
Texas sedge
$ sold out
Arkansas native
Shade/pt sun Z: 5-10 Family: Cyperaceae
Also known as Catlin sedge, this lovely little sedge is perfect for
between stepping stones or outer border of shade gardens.
While not liking deep shade, Texas sedge does not like afternoon sun,
particularly in the southern zones of its habitat. BIRDS & Butterflies
Carex triangularis Eastern Fox sedge
$ 10.00 Quart
Arkansas native
Sun/pt shade Z: 5-9 Family: Cyperaceae
Eastern Fox sedge gets about 3' in medium to moist soil.
Carex typhina Cat tail sedge
$ out
Arkansas native
Sun to part shade Z: 3-9 Family: Cyperaceae
Obligate wetland species. Seed from St. Frances Sunkens
Lands. Thanks to Brent Baker. Birdfood fishcover
Carex vulpinoides Fox sedge
out
Arkansas native
Sun/pt shade Z: 3-9 Family: Cyperaceae
Native to most of the United States, Fox sedge reaches about 2 feet -
found in wet meadows & along streams. Seed head have
bristles reminding one of a fox's tail.
Chasmanthium latifolium
River
oats / Fish-on-a-pole grass
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native
Sun to shade Zones
5-9 Family: Poaceae
Syn: Uniola latifolia. Also known as sea oats, this outstanding native
grass is often found used in flower arrangements for it dangling sea
heads. In the sun it needs a good bit of moisture, but it will grow
happily in dry shade. Sometimes it tends to seed around a bit so you
may want to clip the foliage in late winter. BIRDS
& Butterflies !
Chasmanthium laxum Slender wood oats
$ out
Arkansas native
Sun to shade Zones
5-9 Family: Poaceae
Slender wood oats is a more delicate grass that River oats (shown
above) Generally growing 1 to 3', it is a clumping grass.. BIRDS & Butterflies !
Danthonia spicata Poverty grass
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native
Sun/shade Z: 3-9 Family: Poaceae
Also known as Poverty oat grass, this grass is very tolerant of poor
rocky soils & drought. At the base of the plant, the
leaves are curly & make a distinctive clump as time goes
by. Height about 12". Deer resistant. BIRDS & Butterflies
Rain Garden plant.
Diarrhena americana American beak grain
$ out
Arkansas native
Sun/shade Zones: 4-8 Family: Poaceae
Dark green arching foliage grows 2-3'. Excellent groundcover
for wooded areas, will grow in dense shade and tolerates dry soils and
will grow under black walnut trees. Seed source: Newton
County, AR.
Diarrhena obovata
Hairy beak
grass
$sold out
Arkansas native
Shade/part shade Z: 3-9 Family: Poaceae
Dark green arching foliage remains green into winter. Will
hold soil on shaded slopes. Rain garden. Birds
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Dichanthelium laxiflorum Broadleaf panic grass - Rosette grass
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native Part sun to part shade
I have read that this is an excellent lawn grass. filling in by seed
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Dulchium arundinaceum three way sedge
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native Z: 3-9
The
preference is for full or part sun, wet soil or shallow water (up to
6") Colonies of this sedge provide cover for various
wetland inhabitants. Blue-winged teal and other dabbling ducks
eat the seed.
Elymus churchii Church's wild rye
$ 10.00 Quart
Arkansas native
Sun/shade Zone 6-8 at least Family: Poaceae
I am very pleased to be able to offer Church's wild rye to you, thanks
to Theo Witsell! Elymus churchii (Church's wild
rye) is a beautiful native grass endemic to the Interior Highlands
(Ozarks, Ouachitas, and uplands of the Arkansas Valley.) that was first
described in 2006. It is known in the wild only from
Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri and occurs in dry, rocky soils of
glades, open woodlands, on ridgetops, bluffs, and river
banks. It looks similar to bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix)
but has attractive curved awns and grows in full sun
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Elymus glabriflorus Southeastern wild rye
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native
Southeastern wild rye is a rare grass that is found in oak & hickory forests., where it is found in shallow soils.
Elymus hystrix Bottlebrush grass
$10.00 quart
Arkansas native
Shade/pt sun Z: 5-9 Family: Poaceae
Bottlebrush grasses has attractive seedheads that rise 3 or 4 feet in
late summer while the leaves stay fairly low. Usually found
in upland forests & glade margins. Quite drought
tolerant.
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Elymus villosus Silky wild rye
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native
Preference
is part sun to part shade, moist to slightly dry conditions. 30
to 42" It makes an attractive woodland grass.
Elymus virginicus Wild rye
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native Sun to part shade Zones: 3-8
This
cool season perennial grass grows 2-4', is good for erosion control.
Birds & other seed eating critters feed on the seed.
Eragrostis hirsuta
Bigtop love grass
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native
Sun to pt shade Z:5-9 Family: Poaceae
Another carefree low growing native grass with large inflorescences
that look like mist on a summer day. Very drought tolerant - used by ground nesting birds
& some butterflies.
Eragrostis spectabilis
Purple love
Grass
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Zones 4-9 Family: Poaceae
Purple love grass is a very showy native American grass that is a
clumping low growing jewel for the garden. Native from Arizona to the
east coast, north to Maine & south to Florida. BIRDS & Butterflies !
Eragrostis trichodes
Sand Love
Grass
out
Native
Sun/light shade Zones 5-9 Family:
Poaceae
this
native grass gets 1 - 2' tall & the blooms emerge in July. The
nodding panicles almost obscure the foliage. Another grass I
think may be in Arkansas but just not reported as it is in Missouri,
Oklahoma & Texas.
BIRDS
&
Butterflies
Festuca subverticillata Nadding fescue
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native
Part sun/part shade Zones 3-9
Habitat includes moist to mesic woodlands and is one of the more shade-tolerant grasses.
.
Juncus effusus Soft rush
out
Arkansas native
Sun to pt shade Zones: 2-9 Family: Juncaceae
With roots that go deep, this wetland species with spiky dark
green leaves, holds the soil which makes it ideal for wetland
restoration or stormwater management. Excellent
fish cover for tiny hatchlings.
Muhlenbergia capillaris
Pink muhly grass out
Arkansas native
Sun to part shade Zones 7-10 at least
Family:
Poaceae
This grass doesn't impress one too much until late summer when the tops
explode with cloud-like heads of pinky-purple. This show
lasts a long time thru fall.
BIRDS &
Butterflies Muhlenbergia capillaris alba
White muhly
grass
$out
Arkansas Native
Sun to part shade Z: 7-10 Family: Poaceae
The white flowers make a distinctive showing in the fall.
Also drought tolerant.
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri Lindheimer's muhly
$
Texas native
Sun Zone 7-10 Family: Poaceae
Lindheimer'smuhly is a lovely choice of ornamental grass that makes an
excellent substitute for Pampas grass - 1st, it is native, 2nd, it
isn't invasive & 3rd, it is not so wickedly dangerous to
hands. It grows 18 to 30 inches tall & blooms in the
fall. Drought tolerant once established, this muhly grass
does need good drainage.
Panicum virgatum
Switch grass
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Zones 2-9 Family: Poaceae
This native switch grass can
have a lot of variablity because it is seed grown. Arkansas
seed
source.
Panicum virgatum "Cloud
Nine"
$sold out
Arkansas native
Sun/part
shade Zones
2-9 Family: Poaceae
Panicum "Cloud Nine" is a
much larger grass than P. "Heavy Metal". Both are planted in a clay
bank
that doesn't receive much supplemental moisture & Cloud Nine is
probably
15" taller than P. Heavy Metal. It is an outstanding ornamental with a
soft blue green color. One of the most popular grasses here at the
nursery.
BIRDS & Butterflies
Panicum virgatum
'Dallas Blues'ppaf Switch
grass
sold out
Arkansas native
Sun Zones 2-9 Family: Poaceae
A fine selection of our native
switch grass. Very wide leaves with intense blue coloring. BIRDS & Butterflies
Panicum virgatum "Heavy
Metal"
out
Arkansas native
Sun/part
shade. Zones 5-9. Family: Poaceae
This cultivar of a native
grass is most beautiful. I have grown it in the garden for about 5
years.
It has not been invasive. A blue gray foliage is very stiff &
upright,
then the blooms are like a mist floating about the 4' stalks.
BIRDS & Butterflies
Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'
Switch grass
$
Arkansas native
Sun Zone 2-9 Family: Poaceae
'Northwind is another excellent
choice for a tall upright grass that does not become invasive through
seeding
around or growing by leaps & bounds. Reaching 4 to 6
feet with
blue foliage and light airy flowers, Northwind stays nice most of the
year.
Do not fertilize. Very adaptable to soils, wet or
dry. Cut
the old foliage back to about 4 to 6" in late winter before new growth
appears. BIRDS
& Butterflies
Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky' Switch grass
$
Arkansas native
Sun Zone 2-9 Family: Poaceae
I find 'Prairie Sky' to be less stiffly upright than 'Northwind'k
having a more relaxed appearance. The foliage is quite blue
in color ripening to a luscious bronze in the fall. You may
expect the height to reach from 4 to 6 feet. Do not
fertilize. Very adaptable to soils, wet or dry. Cut
the old foliage back to about 4 to 6" in late winter before new growth
appears. BIRDS & Butterflies
Panicum virgatum 'RS' Switch grass
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native
Sun/pt shade Zones 3-10 Family: Poaceae
A
customer from Mississippi brought me this switch grass when he came to
visit several years ago. I planted it in a fairly dry, poor
area
at the nursery and it has shown itself worthy of
introduction.
Wide leaves of a very blue shade, 5 to 6 feet tall here in
poor
soil - it would probably reach 8 or 9 feet in good soil with more
moisture. BIRDS & Butterflies
Schizachyrium scoparium
'Blaze'
Little Bluestem'
$
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Z: 4-9 Family: Poaceae
This selection of our native bluestem grows to about 15" in height and
is invaluable for xeric planting. Once established little
bluestem is a real drought buster! Blaze has very red fall
color & as winter proceeds, the foliage fades to deep pink.
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Prairie
Blues' Little
Bluestem
sold out
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Z: 4-8 Family: Poaceae
Consistent grey-blue, ribbon-like foliage reaches a height of 36 to 40
inches with a spread of about 20 inches. As fall nears, the
foliage begins to take on colors of red and orange. Prairie
Blues thrives in hot dry areas. Don't fertilize or plant
where it will recive too much water - you will not be happy with the
result as it will not be nice & upright.
Schizachyrium scoparium "The Blues"
Little
bluestem
$sold out
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Zones 4-10 Family: Poaceae
The little Bluestem is a magnificent grass. The color of the leaves in
spring & early summer is a steely blue with a trace of khaki in
the stems. As late summer arrives, the flower plumes shoot up &
the entire plant begins to take on colors of pink & russet
tones. I believe this is my absolute favorite grass. Unamended soil. BIRDS
& Butterflies
Schizachyrium scoparium Little Bluestem
sold out
Arkansas native
Sun/pt shade Z: 4-9 Family: Poaceae
We grew these plants from seed, therefore you will get some diversity
of height & color. Little Bluestem is one of my
favorite grasses - delicate yet tough. Please don't fertilize
or give good soil - it won't appreciate it. Height
18-24". BIRDS
& Butterflies
Schoenoplectus pungens Chairmakers bulrush
out
Arkansas native(native to entire US)
Sun/pt shade Z: 2-10 Family: Cyperaceae
Native Americans used this rush to for making baskets. Paiutes used the
seeds to make a flour. While Chairmakers bulrush must be in wetlands at
least part of the year, it can tolerate periods of drought when water
levels drop. Thanks to the Shaw Nature Reserve for this seed. BIRDS
& Butterflies, dragonfiles, & others
Scirpus cyperinus Wool grass
out
Arkansas native
Sun to light shade Zones
3-10 Family: Cyperaceae
Once again, Larry Price is the culprit in bringing this to our
catalog. I'm so pleased to be able to offer this wetland
species. It has outstanding blooms which dry beautifully and
can be used in arrangement. It drys to a nice terracotta
color. Wetland species BIRDS
& Butterflies
Scirpus georgianus Georgia bulrush or common
bulrush
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Zones 3-10 Family: Cyperacea
Wetland species. Native to most of the eastern United States,
Georgia bulrush can give a nice vertical accent for your water garden
or large pond. Usually from 2' to 5' depending on culture.
Scirpus pendulus Nodding Bulrush
$
Arkansas native
Sun to partial shade Zones
3-10 Family: Cyperaceae
Another wetland species for food & protection. Food for waterfowl,
protection for the tiny fishes, naaids, tadpoles & other small
critters. Nodding bulrush grows 2 to 3 feet in height. Although Nodding
bulrush is happiest in organic soils, you may find it where the soil is
poorer & possibly even rocky, as long as it is wet. With this said,
it may be found in more mesic conditions where the soil is good. BIRDS
& Butterflies, dragonflies, and more
Sorghastrum nutans Indian Grass
sold out
Arkansas native
Sun to shade Zones
6-10 Family: Poaceae
Indian Grass grows from 4 to 6' & attracts birds by providing nesting materials early & seed to eat late.
It will grow in most soils from dry to average or moist if well drained.
Spartina pectinata
Prairie cord grass
sold out
Arkansas native
Sun /pt shade Zones 3-10. Family: Poaceae
Native from Maine to Oregon & south to North Carolina, then
west to Arkansas & Texas. This is an aggressive grass when
planted in wet situations & can be used to stabilize pond banks
or streambanks. Otherwise in wet conditions, it should be planted in a
container. About 4 years ago, I planted prairie cordgrass in a clay
bank near the pond. It has not been aggressive as the area is dry. BIRDS & Butterflies
Sporobolus compositus Rough dropseed
sold out
Arkansas native
Sun/pt shade Zones 3-9 Family: Poaceae
Rough dropseed, aka composite dropseed reaches 2 to 5’ and turns purplish in the fall
before turning tan for the winter. Seed eating birds relish this grass’ offering.
Rough dropseed will grow in most soils and has a high tolerance to drought.
Sporobolus heterolepsis Prairie dropseed
Arkansas native
Sun/pt shade Zones 4-10 Family: Poaceae
How many favorites do I have in the native grasses? It's hard to say as
I write I picture this one in my mind & then that one in my
mind. I must say that last summer we went to Tulsa to a tour of
wildlife habitat gardens. In one of the slides, I have a picture of
prairie dropseed combined with purple coneflowers & orange
milkweed which I would say was one of the most beautiful compositions
of plants I'd ever seen. The prairie dropseed was used as a border
plant as it's small & cascading. BIRDS & Butterflies
Sporobolus clandestinus
$
Arkansas Native
Sun Zones 5-9 Family: Poaceae
I first saw this grass at Sid Vogelpohl's place near Paris,
Arkansas & was so taken with it that I asked him to save me seed.
It resembles a well grown little Bluestem - which I iniatially
thought it was until I saw the seed heads. Sun. Well
drained, unamended soil.
Stipa tenuissima Hair grass
Syn: Nasella tenuissima
$sold out
Native
Sun/pt shade Zones: 7-10 Family: Poaceae
A low growing cascading grass that is pretty much carefree and is a
bright green throughout the growing season & softens to a
lovely tan in the winter. Not much seeding around that I've
noticed. In researching this grass I find a large disparity
in what is listed as hardiness. In colder areas than Zone 7,
I would definitely be sure that it was planted in well drained soils. BIRDS & Butterflies
Tridans flavus v. chapmanii Chapman's Purpletop
$10.00 Quart
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Zones 4-10 Family: Poaceae
Chapman's purpletop is a more refined version of the more common
purpletop. It has tufts of hairs at the nodes & the
flowers are held out horizontally instead of drooping.
Another common name for this plant is grease grasss - not a very pretty
name but I find it remarkably interesting that if you take the
flowering panicle in your hand and pull it through your fingers, you
get this sensation of oiliness which apparently give rise to the common
name. Purple top gets 2-4' tall in flower, while the grassy
foliage stays low. Another grass I like! Host plant for the wood nymph butterfly.
Happiest in a shady woodsy setting. BIRDS
Tridans flavus v. flavus Purpletop
$sold out
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Zones 3-10 Family: Poaceae
A grass that may be used for forage and provides excellent cover for lots of
small animals & birds. Several skipper species host on purpletop. 3’ average to dry soils.
Tridens strictus
Longspike tridens
Arkansas native
Sun Zones
5-9 Family:
Poaceae
Flowers reach about 30". I just love this grass when in
flower - long spiky heads hovering above the low foliage. If you are
thinking to plant a meadow, be sure to alot some space for longspike
tridens. Native to all of the south & most of the middle states
from Kansas to Pennsylvania. It is suitable for dry to medium
wet well drained soils & tolerates a wide range of soils
including heavy clay. 2-4'
BIRDS &
Butterflies Tripsacum dactyloides Eastern
Gamma grass
$ ready early summer 2023
Arkansas native
Sun/part shade Zones 4-9 Family: Poaceae
This native grass is being studied by botanists & other
scientists as they believe it is an ancient relative of corn.
With purple stigmas (female flowers) & orange stamens (male
flowers), this grass is quite showy in bloom with good fall
color. Reaching 4-8 feet with a 4-6 ' spread, Eastern Gamma
grass is not for the front of the border. Quite drought
tolerant once established, it however benefits from afternoon
shade in the south. BIRDS
& Butterflies
Avoid nurseries that desecrate the
environment by digging up thousands of wildflowers each year to send by
mail to customers unwilling to admit complicity in the
vandalism.
From - The Opinionated Gardener by Geoffrey B. Charlesworth.