Grasses    2008     (and plants that look like grasses!)    

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Quick List

Click on the Plant Name for photos.            Click on the Add to Cart Button to order.

All Plants on this page are in Trade Quart Pots (Qt.) which are 1.68Pints (794 ml) liquid measure. 

(Similar to a true nursery quart on top width and height, but tapered to a smaller bottom for lighter shipping.)

NOTE:  This page lists both true grasses and, also, grass-like plants such as Acorus and Carex.  The Grass look-alikes are also listed in their proper place alphabetically.  PLEASE NOTE: Warm weather grasses do not start to grow until (surprise) warm weather!  They are not well rooted in in early spring so we delay shipment on them until they are rooted in.  You can order them with the rest of your order, we just keep track of a later shipping day.   

$7.49 Qt.  

Acorus gramineus 'Golden Ogon'      Dwarf  Sweet Flag       Z: 5-9           

This 1975 Barry Yinger introduction from Japan makes a glaringly beautiful groundcover with brilliant yellow foliage, exceptionally bright in spring and fall. While the overall effect is bright gold, it actually has a vertical green stripe down the side of each leaf. Makes a fabulous, slowly spreading groundcover, a great pond-side or in the pond plant.   This plant is so useful in so many situations and very, very easy to grow!

Soil: Moist to wet     H: 10-12" W: Indef.       B/M: Greenish-yellow/ 5-6 

$7.49 Qt.  

Acorus gramineus 'Masemune'     Japanese Sweet Flag,       Z: 5-9         

Brilliantly variegated grasslike foliage. Fine in any moist or well-watered soil, as well as in standing water up to 1" deep.  Takes average soil in shade. Rare, choice. Striped grass-like foliage, half green and half white 1/8 in. wide by 6 in. long. Although similar to the variegated form, it is more compact and shorter. 

Soil: Moist to wet   H: 6" W: 6-8"   B/M: Tan/ 5-6 

$7.49 Qt.  

Acorus gramineus 'Minimus Aureus'     Dwarf Golden Sweet Flag        Z: 6-9           

A super tiny sweet flag.  The name is bigger than the plant!  Perfect tucked in crevices around your pond or between moist stepping stones. Or in a pot with a small fern and tiny Hosta. Golden, spiky foliage held in fan-like arrangements light up a shady spot. Too much sun combined with low moisture will burn foliage. Moist sun is fine. From Eastern Asia. Slowly stoloniferous. 

Soil: Moist to wet   H: 3-4" W: Indef.   B/M: Tan 5-6 

$7.99 Qt. 

Andropogon virginicus     Broomsedge, Broom Sedge      Zone:  5-8     

A golden, clump forming warm-season Native grass similar to Little Bluestem but with a split inflorescence.  Found in fields and upper shores of ponds all over North American.  Good for  to Xeriscape coastal areas.  Broomsedge turns rusty orange in Fall and remains standing throughout the winter.   Host plant for the Cobweb Skipper Butterfly.

Soil:  Any - wet to dry, acid best    H: 24" W:       B/M: Silver/Fall

Potential Noxious Weed:  Does self seed some so while it is not banned (2008) in any state, it is listed as a noxious weed in the Northeast and South.  Yes, even a Native Plant (in the very area it's native to and that's a Host Plant for Butterflies can self seed and be a nuisance in the wrong place.  What does that mean?  It means in your yard in a controlled neighborhood, it's fine.  If you live near a wild or native area that you can't maintain, monitor and control, then you shouldn't plant this plant.

$7.99 Qt.  

Briza media    Quaking Grass     Zone: 4-10  

European perennial grass which forms a dense tuft of finely bristle-margined, blue-green leaves. Erect stems produce open pyramidal panicles of nodding, heart-shaped spikelets -- purple-tinted green at first, later turning straw colored & are arranged like a rattlesnake's tail. Great in dried arrangements. Can be dyed. 12-18" foliage. 

Soil: Well-drained         H: 24-36" W: 12-18"      B/M: See above/  5-7 

$7.99 Qt.  

Bromus inermis 'Skinner's Gold'   Smooth Brome Grass    Zone: (2)5-8   

Skinner's Gold is a variegated-leaved cultivar of smooth brome.  This is a cool season, clump-forming ornamental grass which spreads by creeping rhizomes.  The species is much too aggressive in average to moist soils but Skinner's Gold is quite polite and gorgeous!  Blooms stalks appear yellow and the overall appearance in bloom is yellow which is a marvelous color for a grass!  This is one of the most stunning grasses we carry.  Extremely cold hardy - according to one source, zone 2.  If it gets floppy, shear it or mow it!

Soil: Most any         H: 18-24"    W:  18-24"        B/M: Greenish with bronze to purple tints/May to Frost!

What you're saying about us...

"hi! grasses arrived and are happy in their new home. the best packaging i've seen yet in mail order plants. it's obvious that you care about your plants. thanks and i'm sure i'll be ordering from lazy s's again."

pat, Lost Creek, WV 

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$7.99 Qt.  

Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'  (C. arundinacea)   Feather Reed Grass  Zone: 5-9    

2001 Perennial Plant of the Year!  Non-invasive, clumping grass w/ strong vertical habits & tall slender flower plumes. Very adaptable Reed Grass w/ slender deep green leaves & handsome, tall, slender, long-lasting flower plumes. Winter interest. Taller & more tightly upright than 'Overdam'. Cut to the ground in early spring. 18-24" foliage. From Eurasia. 

Soil: Ave, to moist, loamy       H: 48-60" W: 24"      B/M: Pink-bronze/ 8-9 

$8.99 Qt.  

Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Overdam'      Variegated Feather Reed Grass   Zone: 5-9  

VERY CHOICE! Compact, silky-sheen form of Feather Reed Grass. 18-24" foliage. Leaves emerge marginated & striped with cream, quickly changing to white highlighted with PINK! Purplish pink tassels gradually lighten to silver pink. Sun OK but PM shade best. Prefers moist soil. Cut to the ground in early spring. From Eurasia. 

Soil: Ave. to moist, humus rich   H: 48" W: 24"    B/M: Purplish pink/ August 

$7.99 Qt.  

Calamagrostis brachytricha   Korean Feather Grass   Zone:  4-8     *  

AKA, Calamagrostis arundinacea var. brachytricha  Also sometimes commonly called foxtail grass in reference to the feathery flower/seed plumes.

A clump forming, warm weather grass with bright green leaves reaching 24" and late summer blooms that emerge with a pink tint and reach 36-48".  The blooms fade to cream in Fall.  One of the few flowering grasses that is happy in and actually prefers some shade. Will take full sun with adequate moisture. Superb for cut flowers.  1/2" glossy green leaves.  Clump forming, non-invasive.

Soil: Ave, to moist, loamy       H: 24" (IB:36-48")  W: 24"      B/M: Mauve pink/ 8-9 

Carex aurea    Golden, Elk or Golden Fruited Sedge        Zone 3-9

A Native endangered or threatened in at least 4 states and yet widespread across northern and western N. American - all but the Southeast.  Interesting fruit (really plump perigynia), translucent, juicy looking tiny golden orange balls. Blooms from April thru August.  The top larger spike is male with usually 3-5 females side spikes, pale to reddish brown and wide spreading at maturity.  Nice, tufted light evergreen foliage sets off perfectly the deep golden orange fruit.

Soil: Ave. to moist     H:20"  W:        B/M: Golden/4-8

$7.49 Qt.

Carex bergrenii    Caramel Carpet Sedge     Zone: (5)6-9    

A dwarf ornamental, evergreen grass with a 'tufty' habit.  Caramel  brown (red-brown) leaves, displaying multi-hued hints of blue-green, metallic gray with the reddish brown, grow to a height of 4" which sport short brown flower spikes.  From New Zealand.  A little cutey that could look good paired in a trough or rock garden with Acorus gramineus 'Aureus' of similar size and texture and like the same conditions.  A few sources say zone 5.  We're not sure.  Safe in Z: 6-9.  Damp soil and full sun produce the best color.

Soil: Damp    H:4"  W:     B/M:

$7.49 Qt.  

Carex buchananii    Leatherleaf Sedge,   Zone: 6-9  

Featured in Horticulture Magazine, February 2006. An unusual plant popular with designers because of its great contrast capabilities. Tufted and erect in growth, the narrow foliage is copper-bronze (or mocha brown!) colored twelve months of the year. A great contrast plant that grows to 2' tall and does best in full sun. Can be cut back hard as older foliage tends to dominate the clump. 

Soil: Moist but well-drained     H: 20-30" W: 15"    B/M: Insignificant 

$7.49 Qt.  

Carex caryophyllea 'The Beatles'    The Beatles Sedge   Zone: 6-9   

A swirling, Mop-headed form of Vernal sedge with fine-textured, medium-green foliage. Moist soil. This quick grower stays in a clump but when placed properly can be used as a non-invasive groundcover.   This is one of our favorite Sedges.  Native to Maine & Mass.   

Soil: Well-drained     H: 6-8" W: 12"   B/M:   Brown/

$7.99 Qt.  

Carex comans 'Frosted Curls'     New Zealand Frosted Curls Sedge      Zone: (6)7-9     

Beautiful, compact, fine textured, weeping foliage grows in swirling clumps.  The frosted blue, slender leaves almost appear iridescent, especially with the slightest breeze, and have ruffled or curly tips.  Drought tolerant once it's established.  Nice in a rock garden, used in mass or along paths. Gorgeous falling over a wall looking like a waterfall. To tidy it up, 'comb' the hair with you fingers to remove older leaves.  Someone called it, "...a symphonic movement in pewter."  Gosh, wish we'd said that!

Soil:  MOIST but well-drained best     H:  12"  W:  14"      B/M:

$7.49 Qt.  

Carex conica 'Marginata' (Hime-kan-suge)   Snowline Sedge   Zone: 5-9  

Tight little clumps of variegated foliage, completely stable. An alpine gem only 6" tall with swirling and arching, white and green, variegated foliage. A beautiful evergreen sedge for the rock garden, container or beside a water feature. Best in part shade, in moist, well-drained soil. Protect from winter wet. AKA, Carex conica 'Variegata 

Soil: Moist but well-drained     H: 6" W: 10-20"      B/M: Brown/ 6-7

$7.49 Qt.  

Carex chabertii    Gray Sedge Chabertii    Zone: 5-9  

Interesting vase like habit of flowing fine textured foliage. Forms a large clump very quickly. Interesting seed heads reach out as they flow away from the center of the plant.  But honestly, all you really need to know is this Carex has a wonderful very fine texture and is a great filler plant, knitting other plants together!  Like many Carex, it shouldn't be introduced into a wetland area.  Can be a strong grow in wet areas.

Soil: Most any      H: 8-12" W: Indef.      B/M: Yellow brown 5-6 

$7.49 Qt.  

Carex dolichostachya 'Kaga-nishiki'    Gold Fountain Grass   Zone: 5-9  

Clump forming sedge has slender, elegant leaves w/ a border of gold. Lights up a shady spot. Evergreen in Zone 7-9. Nishiki means “brocade,” & it rightly describes the fine textured variegated foliage of this superb selection. Forms a tidy, fountain-like mound. 

Soil: Ave. to wet.   H: 10-14" W: 20"   B/M: Brownish/ 5-6 

$7.99 Qt.  

Carex elata 'Aurea'       Bowle's Golden Sedge    Zone: 5-9     

Bright gold foliage with only a narrow green margin.  Spectacular with blue Hostas or a gold edged Hosta. Likes moist, acid soil, rich in organic matter. A spectacular ornamental grass. Looks beautiful next to contrasting foliage plants like the Burgundy Heucheras. Will take sun IF soil is reliably moist. 

Soil: Moist, acid, rich      H: 16-24" W: 12-15"      B/M: Brown/ 5-6 

$7.49 Qt.  

Carex flaccosperma     Blue Wood Sedge     Zone:  5-8  

Native to Eastern North America and yet Rare to the trade. A sturdy, EVERGREEN groundcover. A slowly spreading sedge with half-inch wide 'quilted' greenish-blue leaves. An excellent filler to mix with hostas, ferns and other shade loves. Fairly drought tolerant when established.

Soil:  Most Any    H: 6-10"  W: Slowly indefinite     B/M: Brown/Spring

$7.49 Qt.  

Carex flagellifera    Copper Sedge   Zone: 7A-11     

Medium to light copper color foliage w/ hints of green & narrow upright foliage, somewhat weeping at the top. In time forms a very attractive clump to two feet plus in diameter. 

Soil: Well-drained    H: 15" W: 24"    B/M: Insignificant NA 

$7.49 Qt.

Carex flagellifera 'Toffee Twist'     Toffee Twist Copper Sedge      Zone: 7A-11     

A Toffee colored form of the Species with wonderful multihued blades that appear tan but upon close inspection are actually a multitude of colors.

Soil: Moist but very well-drained, Neutral    H: 12-18"  W: 18-24"    B/M: Insignificant

$7.49 Qt.  

Carex glauca (C. flacca)      Blue or Heath Sedge      Zone: 5-9  

Featured in Horticulture Magazine, February 2006. Finely textured, bluish sedge. Bluish-green grass-like foliage adds a nice texture to the garden. Strong grower. Marvelous perennial which should be used more. Where blue grasses go Dormant in winter, this sedge is EVERGREEN. Takes competition from tree roots & light foot traffic. This Michigan native is one of our BEST plants!   EVERY GARDEN SHOULD HAVE THIS PLANT!

Soil: Any       H: 6-12" W:    B/M: Insig./ 4-5    

$7.49 Qt.  

Carex grayi   Gray's Sedge      Zone: 3-8  

Erect grasslike foliage, 24" tall.  Deciduous, densely tufted perennial forms strong, erect clumps of broad, rich green leaves. Star-like, pale green seed heads resemble spiked clubs and are good in flower arrangements either fresh or dried. Needs moist to wet soil. 

Soil: Fertile, moist      H: 24-30"" W: 24"      B/M: Mid-green 6-9   

What you're saying about us...

 "My plants arrived today. I would just like to say, "Thank you very much for the fine plants you sent me. They are beautiful, and larger than anticipated, for the price. I was surprised, and am very pleased. This
was my first order, and I would be happy to order from you again, in the future."              Alvin, Detroit, MI

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$7.49 Qt. 

Carex hachijoensis 'Evergold'  (C. oshimensis)  Silver Variegated Japanese Sedge  Z: 5-9  

AKA, Carex morrowii 'Aureo varigata'. A tough, clump-forming sedges whose claim to fame is the preponderance of creamy-gold and green variegated leaves. It's evergreen and according to our plant Guru, Cole Burrell, grows it in "small mounds bursting with color!" A 'Surf and Shore' plant - it grows in average moisture in the garden or pond margins.

Soil:  Moist but well-drained      H: 12"  W: 12"      B/M: Brown/4-5

$7.99 Qt.  

Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance'    Ice Dance Sedge       Zone: 5-9      

We are in love with this new Carex with wide, green leaves boldly outlines with white. Forms a neat clump of arching foliage. Thrives in dry shade or average woodland sites. EVERGREEN. Mildly stoloniferous.  A Barry Yinger introduction that appreciates being cut back in early spring so that you can appreciate the gorgeous new foliage. 

Soil: Well-drained       H: 12-18" W: 24-36"       B/M: Brown, Insig./ 4-4

$7.99 Qt. 

Carex morrowii var. temnolepsis       Silk Tassel    Zone: 5-8      

AKA Hosoba kan suge.  Very narrow dark green foliage with white midribs quite unlike the other C. morrowiis which have wide blades. Sun with good moisture or light shade. Beautiful spilling over a wall. This variety likes moist but well-drained soil not boggy like some.

Soil:  Moist but well-drained       H: 12" W: 24"        B/M:   Brown 4-5

$7.49 Qt.  

Carex muskingumensis      Palm Sedge   Zone: 5-9   

Featured in Horticulture Magazine, February 2006. A great Carex that resembles a small palm tree. Needs well-watered, moist or even standing water. Great substitute in the pond for the Tender Papyrus plant. In the garden, it's a beautiful fine-textured ornamental grass for shaded settings unless it's wet. An excellent ground cover or edging plant. Gorgeous with Hostas, Heucheras and Bergenias. 

Soil: Average to Wet      H: 20" W: 12"       B/M: Tan, Insig./ 6-7 

$7.49 Qt. 

Carex muskingumensis 'Little Midge'    Miniature Palm Sedge   Zone: 5-9   

As above but this Norm Hooven introduction is an exact miniature in all ways of the above.  It's not just shorter but everything about it is proportionally miniature.  Little Midge is just adorable.

Soil: Average to Wet      H: 10" W: 6"       B/M: Tan, Insig./ 6-7 

$7.99 Qt.  

Carex pendula   Hanging/Drooping Sedge   Zone: 5-9       MoistAverage

While slow to establish at first, the Drooping Sedge will become an imposing, gorgeous focal point of your garden!  This cool-season sedge has graceful 3-6" long brown pendant/hanging blooms (hence the name drooping sedge) The foliage consists of 3-4' long leathery, semi-evergreen dark green leaves that have a curve to them, so the foliage is 2-3' in height.  Beautiful with hostas.  From Europe.  It's a great substitute for true grasses that wouldn't like as must shade as Drooping Sedge will take.  This is a BIG SEDGE!

Soil: Most any but dry, even likes clay!     H:24-36" (48"IB)  W: 18"-40"     B/M:  4" Brown/7-8

$7.99 Qt.  

Carex plantaginea    Plantainleaf  or Seersucker Sedge    Zone:  5-9   

Featured in Horticulture Magazine, February 2006.  A native sedge with one of the widest leaves, up to 1" wide, almost like a narrow-leaf hosta but evergreen w/ red at the base. Handsome veining on the leaves and a dependable nature, even in dry spots (growing in nature under beech trees) makes the Sedge a great addition to the garden. 2' tall wispy, purple black flowers are insignificant. AKA, Seersucker Sedge adds a fresh element to your shade mix.

Soil:  Most any       H: 6-12"   W:          B/M:  Purple black - Insignificant

New 5/25

$7.99 Qt.  

Carex platyphylla - Silver Sedge            Zone:  4-8

New to the trade, this is a spectacular clump-forming sedge with wide powder blue leaves that are often an inch or more wide.  Slowly spreads to form a lovely, textured groundcover in average to moist soil and will even take dry shade once established.  Evergreen but best with a hard clipping in spring before new growth starts -- like Liriope.  East Coast native but very, very rare.

Soil:  Average to Moist, well-drained    H: 8-12"   W: 12-18"     B/M: 

$9.99 Qt. 

Carex siderosticha 'Lemon Zest' PP14463    Golden Creeping Broad-leafed Sedge     Zone: 5-8          

Soil:  Ave. to moist      H: 10-12"  W:  24"      B/M: Insig.

$7.99 Qt. 

Carex siderosticha 'Variegata'    Creeping Broad-leafed Sedge      Zone: 5-8         

A wide-leaf with white stripes on margins and a pink cast to spring growth make this a stunning Carex that clump-forming and politely spreading. This is fairly new to the trade and absolutely fabulous. 

Soil:  Ave. to moist    H: 10-12"  W:  24"   B/M: Insig.

$7.99 Qt.  

Chasmanthium latifolium      Northern Sea Oats Grass     

Attractive Native w/ oat-like seed heads for groups or massing. Dark green foliage in part shade; light green in sun. Good naturalizer for dry shade. Deep gold fall color. One of the best grasses for SHADE. Very unique seed pod. Plumes to 48". Seeds less in shade. Will take moist soil.  Host plant for the Bell's Roadside-Skipper and Common Roadside-Skipper Butterflies.

Soil:  Most any but wet   H: 24"  W:          B/M: Golden brown/7-8

$8.49 Qt.