Grasses
The grasses offered at the Nursery are those that I know perform well here in the north of Scotland.
Grasses add form and movement in the garden and many will extend the season, providing interest throughout the winter months.
Grasses are particularly valuable in windy sites and indispensable in mixed border designs. They are tolerant of most soil conditions.
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Achnatherum calamagrostis (syn. Stipa calamagrostis) Silver spear grass
Strong growing grass with abundant arching flower stems from mid summer, silver, turning tawny as they age. This is a slow growing grass, but once established has a strong presence in the border. Height and spread to 1 m.
Anemanthele lessoniana (syn. Stipa arundinacea) - Pheasant grass
Good evergreen plant with shiny dark green leaves developing strong rich red and gold tints. In cold winters foliage will bleach. Cut back hard when this occurs. Flowerheads light and carried above main leaf clump (may self seed). Happiest in sun and sheltered site. Height 60 cm. Spread 1m.
Briza media - Quaking grass
Narrow evergreen clump of blue-green leaves from which are produced open panicles of golden locket-shaped spikelets on long stalks. These catch the wind and are good for flower arrangements. Height to 60 cm. Spread 30 cm.
Calamagrostis x acutiflora ' Karl Foerster'
Strong vertical grass. Semi-evergreen foliage eclipsed by abundant narrow flowerheads which, when dry, stand throughout the winter months. Height to 1.2m.
Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Overdam'
A finely variegated form of the above.
Calamagrostis emodensis
Unlike the previous two grasses, this Calamagrostis has extremely ornamental drooping flowerheads. It will slowly spread, but does not become invasive. Height to 1.5m
Carex atrata - The Jet sedge
Blue-green tidy foliage and decorative black, cylindrical, drooping flowerheads. Height 25cm, slowly spreading. Good for stabilizing banks.
Carex buchananii - Leather leaf sedge; Red fox sedge
An erect plant with almost cylindrical red-brown leaves which curl at the tips. Distinctive, but needs full sun to achieve the best colour. Height and spread 50 cm.
Carex comans 'Bronco'
Lovely fine foliage forming pink-brown mounds which are good for ground cover. Height 40cm, spread 75cm.
Carex comans 'Frosted Curls'
A mophead of a grass with long narrow leaves which curl as they grow and age. Good in upright containers or overhanging water or walls. Height 40 cm. Spread to 75 cm.
Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance'
Good variegated sedge with narrow white borders to the evergreen leaves. Slowly spreading height 45cm
Carex oshimensis 'Variegata'
Evergreen variegated sedge. Broad creamy white stripe down midrib. Makes compact mound. Height to 15cm.
Carex pendula - Weeping sedge
Strong evergreen clumps of broad foliage and decorative pendulous flower heads. Best for wet ground and pond margins. Height to 1m, spreading.
Carex testacea
Evergreen mophead developing a rich orange colour when grown in full sun. Has brown flower spikes. Height and spread 50cm.
Deschampsia caespitose 'Schottland'- Tufted hair grass
Dense neat clumps of arching slender leaves over which are held fluffy cloud-like panicles. Height and spread to 1m.
Elymus magellanicus
A striking blue leaved grass happiest in well drained soil and sun. Height 80cm. Height to 60cm.
Hakonechloa macra
Deciduous grass. Drooping deep green leaves turn shades of orange and red in autumn. Cut back as new leaves emerge. Height 30cm, spread 40cm.
Hakonechloa macra 'Aurea'
A strong yellow variegated form of the above grass, good in sun, making striking clumps. Height 30cm, spread 50cm.
Lagurus ovatus - Hare's Tail Grass
Annual ornamental grass with soft fluffy flowerheads, suitable for drying.
Melica uniflora 'Variegata'
Variegated melic bearing delicate, narrow flowerheads in spring. Height to 40cm, slowly spreading.
Milium effusum 'Aureum' - Bowles' golden grass
A soft yellow grass to brighten any partially shaded area. Best cut down in early spring. Height to 60cm, spread 40cm.
Miscanthus sacchariflorus
Strong, spreading miscanthus, requiring full sun and damp soil. This far north its robust nature is somewhat tempered, but can reach impressive heights in a good summer. Height to 2m plus. Spreading.
Flowering of many Miscanthus cultivars will not occur this far north; some may not flower reliably. I am presently growing a number of cultivars to establish those that will flower well here. The following Chinese Silver Grass are presently offered:
M. sinensis 'Ferner Osten'
Narrow leaved graceful form with good autumn tints especially in full sun, and red flower plumes. Can take a while to become established. Height to 1.2m
M. sinensis 'Flamingo'
Early to flower with lovely fluffy, pink-tinged plumes. Slender foliage. Can take awhile to become established. Height to1m.
M. sinensis 'Gracillimus'
A fountain of graceful narrow foliage, best placed to give it room to show itself off! Can flower in warm summers and sheltered sites. Height 1.2 - 1.5m.
M. sinensis 'Malepartus'
Strong growing miscantus with good flower form and autumn colour. Flowers well and has deep red stems in autumn. Height to 1.2m
M. sinensis 'Silberfeder'
Strong growing miscanthus with striking silver flowerheads. Withstands bad weather well. Height to 1.75m.
M. sinensis 'Sirene'
Tall with long broad ribbon-like foliage held aloft on strong stems. Striking throughout winter. Height 1.2m plus.
M. sinensis 'Strictus'
Strong upright stems with arching foliage striped with cream bands. Stronger grower than 'Zebrinus'. Needs sun to develop good banding. Height 1.2m.
Miscanthus transmorrisonensis - Taiwanese miscanthus
Narrow glossy dark green leaves form dense clumps from which tawny flower heads rise to be held high above the foliage. Height to 1.5m. Steadily clumps up.
Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea 'Les Ponts de Ce'
Lovely arching form of the moor grass, with dark flowerheads, turning russet in the autumn. Quick to establish. Height to 1.6m
Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea 'Poul Petersen'
A shorter form which works well amongst lower perennials. A dense grower which keeps its flowerheads longer in the winter. Russet gold for shimmering interest. Height 1m.
Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea 'Tears of Joy'
Tall form, with more obvious seed head than 'Transparent' and a silver-grey colouring to the flowering stems. Height to 1.8m
Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea 'Transparent'
Slim clump forming grass with light airy panicles on strong stems. Height to 1.6m.
Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea 'Windspiel'
Light green foliage from which rise numerous stems holding large open heads of dancing spikelets, these catch the wind and shimmer throughout the summer. Flowerheads break off in early winter. Height 1.5 - 1.75m.
Panicum elegens - 'Frosted Explosion'
Fast growing annual grass with open, airy flower panicles. Good container grass for shimmering effect. To 80cm.
Sesleria heufleriana - Green moor grass
Spring flowering grass with evergreen leaves, silvery beneath, which makes a compact mound. Metallic purple flowering spikes held high above the foliage. Height and spread 30cm.
Sesleria nitidia (syn Sesleria glauca) Grey moor grass
Attractive evergreen grass, with long smooth grey-green leaves forming sturdy clumps. Flowers are held high above the foliage in spring. Height to 60 cm.
Stipa barbata 'Silver Feather'
Very ornamental upright grass producing long featherlike awns which release a sharp seed. Does not tolerate competition. Height and spread 75 cm.
Stipa capillata 'Lace Veil'
Dense clumps of erect grey-green foliage with many silvery flowerheads held stiffly above the leaves. Height and spread 60 cm.
Stipa gigantea - Spanish oat grass
Spectacular specimen plant. A clump of dense evergreen narrow leaves give rise to numerous long strong stems bearing large golden spikelets which catch the sun and wind. These last into autumn. Height to 2.2 m. Spread 1m plus.
Stipa lessingiana
A taller form of Stipa tenuissima, plenty of billowing feathery seed heads. To 1 m.
Stipa pennata
Tight clumps of needle thin foliage and flowerheads comprised of long feathery awns streaming out. Place in an open position to appreciate it at its best. Height to 80cm, spread 40cm.
Stipa pulcherrima
Similar to Stipa barbata, with fuller flowers which are held on mass to give a fabulous display, sadly only lasting a few weeks in summer. Height and spread to 1.2m
Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails'
A true evergreen needlegrass. Fine bright green leaves form an arching clump from which feathery plumes are produced in abundance. The whole plant responds to the slightest breeze. Elegant and very tempting to touch. Good in containers. Height and spread to 60 cm.
Uncinia egremontiana - Orange hook sedge
Low clump-forming grass with rich mahogany coloured foliage.
Abundant seedheads produced, and will seed where happy. Does best in sun. Height and spread to 30cm.
Last updated: 18th December 2019