Landscape Grasses Every Master Gardener Should Know
Grasses grow on the beach along the James River.
Perennial Grasses have many uses in the landscape, including helping to control erosion and adding structural interest to the landscape. They tend to be very drought tolerant, tough, and seldom will be grazed by deer. Most grasses are left standing through the winter and cut back in early spring, making room for new growth to emerge. Some grasses, like river oats, self-seed freely. Clumps of grasses expand as the plants mature.
Perennial Landscape Grasses
Andropogon spp., Bluestem, Beardgrass, and Broomsedge
Carex spp., Sedges
Chasmanthium latifolium, River Oats
Eragrostis spectabilis, Purple Love Grass
Pink Muhly grass grows at Brickyard Landing Park.
Festuca spp. and hybrids, Fescue
Hakonechloa macra, Japanese Forest Grass
Muhlenbergia capillaris, Purple (or Pink) Muhly Grass
Panicum virgatum, Switchgrass, Panic Grass
Schizachyrium scoparium, Little Bluestem
Tripidium ravennae, Hardy Pampas Grass
New grass plantings anchor beds at Brickyard Landing Park.
All Photos by E. L. McCoy