What Grows There :: Hugh Conlon, Horticulturalist, Garden Advisor, and Photographer

Growing Ajuga

Posted by Hugh on May 12th, 2025

If you’re looking for an attractive perennial groundcover to quickly fill in small or large patches in your garden, you can’t go wrong with ajuga (Ajuga reptans), also called as carpet bugleweed. This creeping evergreen plant spreads quickly and thickly. Plant it on moderate slopes for erosion control. A vigorous clump should smother out weeds and add exceptional foliage color. (Zones 4-9).

Ajuga ground cover spreads through runners, and as a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Plants can become weedy without a little bit attention. Location and variety are key to growth and mat-forming trait can provide instant coverage with only a few plants. Bugleweeds are highly deer resistant.

Ajuga flowers are normally blue to purple but white blooming forms are also available. Over the past two decades, there has been an explosion of new foliage color (hues). Finding the old-fashioned green foliage types are almost impossible today, as stunning multi-colored purple, gold, yellow types are entering the marketplace. Ebony colored ‘Black Scallop’ is a personal fav.

Plant ajuga preferably in partial to full shade. In addition to the year-round foliage display or yellow, orange, and red tones, the low grower will produce cobalt blue flowers in spring. Use it to fill in bare spots near structures or entries or simply plant it to complement other shade lovers like pulmonarias and heucheras. At only about 6 inches high, ajuga adds color around other plants without hiding them.

Keep plants within desired boundaries is by enclosing bed plantings with edging like a sidewalk, curb, or permit plants to interlace among steppingstones. Normally, ajuga plantings require little special care. In general, periodic irrigation is the rule. Fertilize ajuga at low rate in early spring. Plant ajuga in sunny spots, although you will need to irrigate more frequently.

Ajuga is highly aggressive groundcover, and it will self-seed after flowering. Deadheading is highly recommended to reduce seedling pop-ups. Snip off some of the runners periodically to curtail its spread. Runners are also easy to dig up and place elsewhere to keep bed with a filled appearance. Cut excess runners and replant them elsewhere or share with garden friends.

New cultivars abound including a vigorous hybrid series from Garden Solutions™®. At this writing, eleven cultivars, including compact forms, have been released.

Ajuga ‘Feathered Friends’ Collection (image from Garden Solutions™)

Princess Flower (Tibouchina)

Posted by Hugh on May 8th, 2025

Princess Flower, aka glory bush (Tibouchina urvilleana) and the lesser-known T. grandifolia are evergreen tropical shrubs and small trees native to Brazil (zones 9-11). In zone 8 plants often dieback to the ground in winter and come back if winter temps remain above freezing. In the U.S. tibouchinas are primarily treated as garden annuals in zones 8 or lower. In tropical areas like Southern Florida, tibouchinas bloom on and off all year long.

T. urvilleana grows 15 feet high and bears large five petalled, purple to lavender colored blooms comprised of five wide open petals that are stunningly beautiful and bloom all summer long where temps are hot and humid on slightly downy, elliptical leaves. T. grandifolia grow only 6 feet tall with wider, round, soft velvety leaves. Flowers are 3- to 5-inches in diameter, and a vibrant deep-purple. Flowers are spiky upright clusters of small blossoms.

Tibouchinas grow best under direct morning sun or all-day dappled light and not in day-long blazing sun. Worldwide, other species are available. Container gardeners often prefer deadheading to encourage the formation of more flower buds and control plant size and form.

*T. grandifolia* has rounded, soft velvety leaves

In temperate areas plant in spring after chance of frosts have ended. Set vegetative cuttings 3-4 feet apart in containers. Princess flower is often trained into tree form and typically reaches 6-8 feet but can grow to 10-20 feet in tropical areas. It can grow 6-8 feet tall outdoors (occasionally to 15 feet); 2-3 feet tall indoors. Princess flower prefers full morning sun and partial afternoon shade.

In areas with moderate mid-South winters (Zones 7 – 8), princess flower is utilized as a garden annual or in containers that can be over-wintered or a greenhouse. Use as a summer patio tree for accent and as a specimen. It’s difficult to overwinter in an unheated garage in borderline zone 8 without a good light and heat source. Showy purple flowers appear in terminal panicles and the tree has a long bloom season. The evergreen foliage is dark green with lighter undersides and are 4-6 inches long. Tip prune lateral branches to desired plant symmetry.

Protect plants from frost and strong winds. In zone 8 or lower, you can plant the princess flower in a container and bring it indoors each winter provided you are able to provide it with enough warmth and sunlight. It prefers moist acidic well-drained soil. In hot summertime areas, it likes some protection from the afternoon sun. It is tolerant of light drought conditions once established and exhibits moderate salt tolerance.

Water containers or garden areas on a regular schedule but don’t overdo it. Feed through the growing season with a slow-release granular fertilizer according to package directions. You might need to supplement feedings with liquid fertilizer and/or bonemeal to encourage more flowering. Troublesome pests include scales, mealybugs and nematodes.

T. *grandifolia* has purple flowers (Atlanta Botanical Gardens)

Princess flower is a member of the botanical plant family: Melastomataceae and is a recipient of the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Hardy Begonias

Posted by Hugh on May 8th, 2025

Hardy begonia (Begonia grandis) is an herbaceous perennial flowering plant native to Southern China, Japan, and Malaysia. It is a member of the Begonia (Begoniaceae) family (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). From summer into early fall, hardy begonia displays loose arching clusters of bright pink fragrant blooms. It is monoecious, e.g. both male and female flowers are on the same plant. Tuberous-rooted begonias grow a 2-feet tall; they form a bushy mound of foliage on branching stems.

Leaves are bright green and heart shaped. Dangling clusters of delicately fragrant pink (or white) flowers. Hardy begonias can be planted in beds with spring bulbs. Hardy begonias are late comers, e.g. shoots don’t emerge until after spring bulbs have faded. Leaf undersides are brightly red and are especially beautiful, particularly planted in containers and backlit by the late afternoon sun.

Hardy begonias are at their best in shady borders, woodland gardens, or along walkways. They grow best in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Apply a heavy winter mulch where plants are marginally winter hardy in zone 5b. Deadhead flowers to extend their blooming interval.

Begonia leaves turn yellow gradually in the autumn. At the same time, bulbils form in the leaf axils. These tiny asexual formations about the size of a small pea drop to the ground in fall and sprout the following spring. Plants may also self-seed. After a couple of years hardy begonias gradually become a small colony in the garden.

Hardy begonia mixes well with assorted small hostas, astilbes, and ferns in shade or woodland gardens, in shaded border, and in containers. To extend the blooming period, deadhead expired flowers. Disease and insect problems are minimal.

Cultivars

‘Alba’ producespure white flowers with yellow centers on bright pink stems; petals age to a pale pink.

‘Simsii’– hardy begonia is white-flowering cultivar hardy to zone 5b.

‘Torsa’ – develops huge leaves. In year one, leaves reach 10-12 inches long and attain their full 20-24 inches in year 2, plus showy red ribs down the backside.

Chinese Pistache – Great Yard / Street Tree

Posted by Hugh on May 1st, 2025

*Pistache chinensis* in shopping mall near James Island, SC

Chinese pistache tree (Pistachia chinensis) is a small to medium size 25–40-foot landscape tree, an ideal size for a yard or street tree. Chinese pistache is native to China, Taiwan and the Philippines (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). It is related to the edible pistache nut tree (Pistachia vera). (Botanical family: Anacardiaceae).

Foliage consists of pinnate compound, dark green leaves to 10 inches long, each leaf typically having 10-12 lanceolate leaflets (to 4 inches long). Tree displays a fine leaf texture, and the small leaflets are easy to rake up in the fall. Foliage is aromatic when bruised. The eye-catching fall color is crimson red, bright orange, or occasionally yellow.

Chinese pistache is dioecious, e.g. a single tree is either male or female. Pistache blooms in April but go relatively unnoticed compared to most spring blooming shrubs and trees. Female flower clusters are nearly twice as wide as males. The non-edible ¼ inches in diameter drupe fruits turn red in summer before ripening to bluish-purple in late fall. Berries are a food source for birds. Gray-brown bark on older trees peels to reveal salmon colored inner bark.

Chinese pistache grows in moist, compost rich, well-drained soils in full sun. It prospers in full sun but can handle partial shade. Chinese pistache is a low-maintenance tree tolerant of drought, heat, and heavy clay soils. Verticillium wilt may become a serious problem in poorly drained soils. Annual pruning in early years is essential to develop a symmetrical tree with good form.

If you are concerned about berries dropping on walkways, select a fruitless male clone, P. chinensis ‘Keith Davey,’ a 35-foot-tall tree with a crown diameter of 30 feet. Female variety ‘Sarah’s Radiance’ produces lovely red fruits and nutlets in the fall. A variety of birds and yard wildlife consume the nutlets, which are not so tasty to humans.

Mayapples

Posted by Hugh on April 27th, 2025

Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) is a native herbaceous perennial wildflower that forms dense mats. It is an early spring riser in the shade garden (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). Mayapples are exceptionally hardy woodland plants found in most of eastern North America and as far south as the State of Texas. They’re typically found in colonies in open woodlands, shady fields, and along roadsides and riverbanks. Mayapple is a member of Barberry (Berberidaceae) family.

Each plant grows 1 to 1.5 feet tall, and 0.75 to 1 foot wide with 1-2 leaves and a single 3-inch-wide flower. From April to May the solitary nodding, white flower hangs in an axil between the plant’s two leaves. The sepals are shed as the flower opens, revealing 6 to 9 waxy petals and 12 to 18 stamens with bright yellow anthers.

The palmately-lobed, umbrella-like leaves have deeply divided lobes that stand erect on an elongated greenish main plant stem and can measure up to 12 inches in diameter. The edible fruit is about 2 inches long, lemon, fleshy, and ripens to a golden yellow during summer. Once summer heat arrives, the plant goes dormant and the foliage disappears.

Mayapples prefer partial to full shade and grows best in moist, humus-rich, acidic, sandy to loamy soils and cool temps. Early-riser mayapples may need protections from hard frosts in spring. Flowers attract pollinators, particularly bumblebees and early native bees. Mayapples colonize via rhizomes and may be propagated by division or seeds. Rhizomes are best divided in the fall.

This native wildflower is best utilized for naturalizing in a woodland or native garden. All parts of the plant are highly poisonous except for its ripened fruit which is edible. Protective gloves should be worn while handling any part of this plant because of the potential for severe contact dermatitis.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Mayapple has no serious insect or disease problems. Fungal rust diseases may infect the leaves following an exceptionally long wet spell. Plants are deer and rabbit tolerant.

Two Unique Asian Selections

Spotty Dotty is standout Asian hybrid selected for its coloring, frost tolerance, vigor, and rhizomatous habit. New umbrella-like leaves are chartreuse with dramatic chocolate-brown spotting. In summer, the leaves are green with lightly spotted areas. Large garnet red flowers in clusters of 5 or more are located under the leaves. (Zones 6-9).

Deformed leaf mayapple (P. deformis) is another Asian species with distinctive leaves with a quadrangular shape and flaunts in the dramatic, purple patterning on the top surface. Clusters of red-purple flowers hang just beneath the foliage in late spring. (Zones 6b-9).

Tall Sedums In Your Garden

Posted by Hugh on April 23rd, 2025

Sedums are clumping, perennial succulents in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae) and are mostly native to China and Korea. Depending on variety, plants discussed in this blog are tall-growing mound forms that grow 1 to 2 feet high and wide. Botanical nomenclature has changed and is a bit confusing. Sedum genus, now Hylotelephium, contains many of the tall forms. Tall sedums are sustainable garden dynamos, both a beautiful plant weather wise perennial plant. This garden blog shows off five (5) of my favorites.

Tall sedums are both easy to grow and low maintenance. It can be grown as a houseplant, ground cover, or in containers. They are easy to grow indoors with bright direct light from a window or grow light. Use a coarse, well-drained soil, preferably a cactus mix. They are at their best in full sun or partial shade and a well-drained garden soil or potting media. Sedums tolerates rocky and poor soils, establish quickly, and are heat tolerant. The succulent leaves make it drought tolerant. Flowers attract bees and butterflies, plus deer and rabbits tend to avoid sedums.

Pests and diseases are rarely troublesome, including slugs and snails. Taller sedum species with large flower heads are susceptible to flopping. Site in full sun and pinch back in spring to develop thick sturdy stems. Let dried flower heads remain to provide a wildlife seed source plus winter interest.

Sedums require full or partial sun (minimum of 4 hour or more direct sun and a well-drained gravelly soil with average to low fertility. Many sedums will suffer if planted in overly moist or fertile soils. To maintain a bushy shape and thick stems, cut or pinch back the stems in early spring. If pruned in summer, the showy blooms may be delayed. It is drought- and salt-tolerant, Sedums are easily rooted from stem cuttings.

Plant singly as a specimen or in small groups in rock or crevice gardens. Sedums grow well in containers (indoors or outdoors), in front borders, along a foundation, near a patio or pool hardscape, or alongside walkways. Their showy flowers, succulent leaves, and floral nectar attract songbirds, hummingbirds, butterflies and other insect pollinators.

These five (5) selections are among the finest for four season garden interest:

Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’ (‘Autumn Joy’) large 24 inches tall and wide; gray-green, more toothed foliage; light green stems; dome shaped gray green.

These two Autumn Joy look-a-likes are worthy of mention: (1) ‘Autumn Fire’ — grows more compact and requires no pinching or staking, and (2) ‘T-Rex’ — has sturdier stems, 2-3 feet tall, with more pronounced teeth along leaf edges.

Hylotelephium spectabile ‘Brilliant’ grows 18-24 inches tall and wide; spectacular flat dome, 3-4 inches wide pink flowers; recommend 1-2 extra feedings of water-soluble fertilizer during summer to darken pink flowers and foliage. Highly disease resistant.

Sedum telephium ‘Matrona’ – 24-32 inches tall x 18 inches wide plant; extra-thick, gray-green large foliage with some purple highlights and medium-sized flower cluster. (Zones 3-9).

Sedum ‘Dark Magic’ (photo provided by Terra Nova Nursery)

Hylotelephium spectabile ‘Dark Magic’ grows 12 inches tall and 15-20 inches wide. Big, deep pink flower clusters bloom on short, upright stems of high gloss, purple-black foliage from late summer into fall. Small, star-shaped flowers are 7 inches wide.

Sedum telephium x ‘Bertram Anderson’– 6-8 inches tall x 12-15 inches wide plant with gray foliage. Starts out with erect foliage; loose flower clusters in late summer, ruby carpels and pink petals above dark-hued foliage. (Zones 4-9).

Source: “The Plant Lover’s Guide To Sedums” by Brent Horvath, Kew Botanical Garden series.

Plant Empress Tree Along Roadsides

Posted by Hugh on April 14th, 2025

Empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa) is a fast-growing shade tree, in some years adding 4-5 feet of new growth annually. In general, this tree is not recommended for planting in landscapes. This is a weedy and messy tree and is listed as an invasive species in many states. Paulownia eventually to reach heights of 40-50 feet and width of 20-30 feet in 25 years. (USDA hardiness zone 5-9).

Paulownia Tree in Late April – Early May Flowering

In the first 3-4 years, juvenile trees develop enormous size leaves. Once trees start producing flowers (adult stage), leaves are alot smaller, although still bigger that most oaks or maples. Some gardeners emphasize its lush tropical greenery by cutting back young trees every 1-3 years to show off the grand sized foliage. By doing so, they avoid flower formation which results in seeds and lots more sapling trees in the neighborhood.

Showy upright clusters of lavender flowers measure 14 or more inches across and are beautiful, although most are hidden within the bulky spring foliage. The large, velvety looking leaves resemble catalpa tree leaves.

Individual 1.5-2 inch long tube-like blossoms are vanilla scented and edible. Woody brown seed capsules follow in the fall; the capsules split open to reveal winged seeds.

Paulownia survives in a range of soils including low fertility and high acidity sites, and in partial to full sun. As a shade tree, it forms a wide canopy of dense shade, creating too much competition for most ground covers to survive. Paulownia is resistant to most urban air pollutants.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Frost damage to early spring flower buds is possible. Plant experts rate paulownia trees as weedy, messy, weak wood and invasive species. Seed heads form in summer and the ripened seed fall in late October. According to University of Tennessee forestry experts: “some 90% of paulownia seeds are not viable, yet many states list the tree as invasive”.

In Asia, paulownia wood is highly prized… manufactured into paper, veneer, hand-carvings, clogs, musical instruments, furniture, rice pots, water pails, bowls, and spoons. Some U.S. growers export the wood to Asia. Paulownia has also some medicinal uses in Asia.

Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA has an attractive allee near the Conservatory.

Oakleaf Hydrangeas

Posted by Hugh on April 11th, 2025

Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is an upright, broad-rounded, suckering, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub. In the wild oakleafs may grow 20 feet tall, but popular landscape cultivars typically grow 4-8 feet) tall. It is a wonderful shrub with multi-season interest. This Southeastern U.S. native shrub tolerates hot, humid weather and is not as winter hardy as some other popular hydrangea species (USDA hardiness zones 5-9).

In the 6-10 feet range:

‘Snow Queen’ flourishes with 4- to 12- inch-long creamy white double floral panicles in early summer that finish with a pinkish tint 6-8 weeks later in cooler northerly climes. Its red to burgundy fall leaf color is exceptional.

‘Snowflake’ is a popular standout for its double white panicles mostly showy sterile flowers. Shrub grows 5-8 feet tall and as wide and blooms in June for 6-8 weeks, gradually fading to pink and later to brown in late summer. Distinctive, deeply lobed, deep green oak-like leaves measure 8-inch long and are coarse textured.

‘Alice’, the largest of the three, struts 10- to 14-inch white-then-rose flowers. Alice was introduced by Dr. Michael Dirr. The shrub averages 6 to 8 feet in height but can reach 12 feet tall and wide in the South.

In the 3-6 feet range:

‘Pee Wee’ produces white flowers that turn pink in autumn. Shrub grows 4 feet high and 3 feet wide. White spring flowers fade to pink in early fall; its oak-leaf like foliage stays deep green through summer and turns bright red in early autumn.

‘Sike’s Dwarf’ is a dwarf mounded cultivar that matures to only 2-3 feet tall and to 3-4 feet wide. Its leaves and flower panicles are smaller. Elongated, conical white flower panicles (to 3-4″ long) of showy, mostly sterile, white flowers and gradually fade to light pink and then turn brown by late summer Its deep green, oak-like leaves (to 5” long) turn attractive shades of bronze, maroon and purple in autumn.

‘Ruby Slippers’ is a U.S. National Arboretum release. ‘Pee Wee’ is one of its parents. Large flower clusters emerge white, turn light pink, and mature to ruby red. Leaves turn deep mahogany red in fall. It typically grows 3-4 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide.

‘Munchkin’, another U.S. National Arboretum introduction, grows compact to 3 to 4 ½ feet tall and wide with rounded form and dark green leaves that turn deep burgundy in fall. Large clusters of white flowers stand upright above the leaves and later age to pink.

Gatsby Gal® is a semi-dwarf oakleaf hydrangea that grows 5-6 feet tall and wide. Its green, oak-shaped foliage and large fragrant blooms in summer, outstanding fall color.

Gatsby Pink^® grows 6-8 feet tall and boasts big, showy blooms that quickly transform from pure white to pink.

‘Little Honey’ is a petite grower with green-yellow leaves and snow-white cone-shaped flowers. Flowers are secondary to its standout chartreuse foliage. It grows 3-4 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide and performs best in full sun in northerly areas and in partial sun to partial shade in the mid-South. The aging flowers turn crimson at early autumn.

Patio Peach

Posted by Hugh on April 7th, 2025

For small garden spaces, including large containers, patio peach (Prunus persica) is a gem. This miniature tree bears long narrow lush green (or reddish) foliage. Site selection is crucial to ward off potential disease and insect problems.

*Prunus persica* ‘NC 19 Dwarf Double Red’ at JC Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, NC

In the mood for tasty peach cobbler? Patio peach is a genetic dwarf and may be grown in a large container on your deck or patio. Tree height averages 6-8 feet tall but many varieties may be shorter or taller. Fruit size on true genetically dwarf trees are less than 3 inches. Those varieties that produce fruits must receive 400-500 hours of chilling temps below 32° F) over winter.

Grow in moist, well-drained, mildly acidic soil and maintain 2-inch mulch layer. Irrigate tree every 7-10 days if natural rainfall amount is deficit. The tree should receive full to partial sun (6 hours minimum) with good air movement to thwart major disease problems. Insect problems also abound with peaches.

Patio peach is glorious in bloom in early spring. Open blossoms are frequently injured by overnight frosts. Depending on the cultivar, red, pink, or salmon flowers are mildly fragrant. Weather cooperating, native bees and early arriving butterflies will pollinate blossoms. The mostly inedible peach-like fruits mature in summer and are mostly hidden from view by the dense foliage.

Feed landscape-grown trees with granular 10-10-10 or equivalent in early spring. Container-grown trees are best fertilized bi-monthly (3 times a year) with water soluble fertilizers such as Miracle-Gro™, Nature’s Source™, or Schultz™. Do not fertilize after August 15th. Irrigate tree(s) during summer dry spells. Prune patio peach immediately after spring flowering; remove dead, broken or diseased branches at any time.

Inspect peach tree(s) weekly from spring into early summer (April thru early July) for wood borers and scale insects, particularly on the lower scaffold branches and main trunk. Treat with preventative insecticides every two weeks such as Bayer Advanced Garden Insecticide™ to prevent peach twig borer, aphids, and spider mites. Also, patio peach trees are susceptible to numerous disease problems, including peach scab, peach leaf curl, leaf spots, bacterial canker, root rot, and mildew.

Fountain Grass

Posted by Hugh on March 24th, 2025

Fountain grasses (P. alopecuroides) are perennial warm season grasses that are native to meadows and open woods of Eastern Asia (mainly China and Japan) and Western Australia. Cultivars hardiness ranges from zone 4 (5) – 10. These ornamental grasses have finely textured deep green foliage and elegant form. Leaves and flower spikes sway in the breeze, adding movement to the landscape.

Fountain grasses grow 12 – 48 inches tall, depending on the cultivar. Growth is upright at first, then the leaf blades arch downward at maturity, resembling a flowing fountain. The length and width of the long, tapering, subtly serrated blades vary greatly among cultivars. Leaves turn orange-bronze in autumn, eventually turning to a dull beige color, and offers late fall interest. Inflorescences do not persist as a snowy winter begins.

Fountain grass flower spikes are fuzzy-looking, bottle-brush-like inflorescences (inflorescences). In late summer showy, white to pink, copper or purple flower spikes emerge above the leaves. They’re particularly dramatic when backlit by the sun behind them. The inflorescences also do not last because seed heads begin to shatter after a few hard freezes in autumn.

Fountain grass is easily grown in most soils and performs best in full sun. It prefers moist, well-drained soils, but becomes drought tolerant once established. Plant the grass with the crown of the plant above ground level to avoid crown rot, especially in moist soils. Plantings may decline in very wet years or poorly drained soils. During dry periods, leaf blade tips may turn brown if not watered. Fountain grasses have few pest problems and are considered deer resistant.

As a warm season perennial grass, it doesn’t start growing until the ground has warmed up. Trim the grass to 3-6 inches above the ground before the new spring shoots appear. Every 3-5 years, depending on the vigor of the variety, divide and replant after shearing to rejuvenate clumps.

Use fountain grass as a specimen plant or as a focal point in smaller areas. In bigger gardens, use plants individually or in small groups with perennials and shrubs to provide a contrast of texture or massed in large groups as a tall ground cover. Early in the season fountain grasses do not stand out but their showy inflorescences offer a soft, fine texture and movement in a breeze.

Many varieties may self-seed readily (to the point of being weedy). Many do not always come true from seed. Remove seed heads before they shatter (burst open) if self-sowing is a concern. In colder climates this species never becomes invasive like it can in warmer areas. They look lovely coated in frost and dusted with snow.

Cultivars

‘Cassian’ has cream green tinted bottlebrush blooms turning a rich golden fall color with orange-red tints in fall; it grows about a foot taller than ‘Hameln’ in the South and is coarser textured. (Z 5/6-9).
‘Fox Trot’ grows much taller, with more rosy- or black-colored inflorescences. is an impressive ornamental grass with its 4-foot fountain shape of narrow, green foliage. In midsummer, stalks topped with four-inch, pink-tinted bottlebrush seedheads appear. The slightest breeze causes elegant movement (hardy to zone 4).
‘Hameln’ grows compact than the species (18-24 inches tall and wide), with bright green foliage and silvery-white flowers that bloom about 2 weeks earlier than the species. It does not reseed prolifically. (Z 5-9).
‘Little Bunny’ is a super dwarf form only 8 to 18 inches high and a spread of 10 to 15 inches; light cream-colored inflorescences appear 2 months earlier than species; russet golden color in fall. (Z 5-9).
‘Lumen Gold’ has globe-shape habit and bright golden foliage in spring, turning lemon in early summer, and light green by late summer. Grows 2.0 inches tall Plumes 6-12″ tall. (Z 6-9)
‘Moudry’ (P. alopecuroides var. viridescens), called “black fountain grass”, produces deep maroon upright inflorescences in late summer; mounding form, grows 2½ -3 feet tall and wide, with wide leaves. Blooms in late summer the flower heads mature a blackish purple color against golden yellow fall color. (Z 5b-9).
‘Piglet’ produces white (pink-tinged) inflorescence; dwarf only 1.5 inches tall (Z 5-9).
‘Red Head’ forms a large mound of arching green leaves. Soft smoky-pink colored, 8-inch bottlebrush flower spikes appear in mid to late summer, turning to buff as they dry. Begins flowering early; stays attractive well into the winter. (Z 5-9).