Blog

We grow four varieties of blue Festuca, and one that’s rich dark green. The blue ones all have similarities, but also a key distinguishing attribute, subtle or obvious.Each has its fans who claim their favorite is the best. The Blues, after all, is (are?) a very personal thing. Festuca glauca Beyond Blue(‘Casca 11’) PP23307 The Great Beyond!This Dutch intro is a direct descendent of ‘Elijah Blue’. Years of patient selecting yielded this compact, summer stable form, famous on both sides of t

Panicum (Switch grass)Indigenous American grasses aren’t just for native plant enthusiasts. Tough and carefree, clump-forming, warm-season “switch grass” is perfectly at home in any sunny landscape. Its surprisingly formal-looking upright habit works in masses, or as specimens punctuating the perennial border. Panicum virgatum Ruby Ribbons™ (‘RR1’) PP17944Bred at the University of Connecticut, Ruby Ribbons™ comes by its good looks honestly. One of its parents is the best-selling ‘He

Miscanthus Bandwidth™ Will Bandwidth™ magically endow the border with wifi? Probably not, but the broad bands of gold on its stiff, upright blades guarantee great garden and retail reception. And it’s infertile -- functionally sterile – so you won’t need to block any pesky pop-ups.No other grass crams more gold bars into such a small space. Rising just 3’ at maturity, the rich green foliage is heavily cross-hatched for a dazzling sunlit display. It’s the perfect hotspot for

Talk about intoxicating beauty! Spirits and flowers go together like, well, like wine and roses. Today’s Happy Hour special is one of our favorite ornamental grasses. Like the others in this category, it shares its name with some interesting adult beverages.  The PlantAndropogon gerardii ‘Rain Dance’Gardeners and designers know: Nothing brings movement to the border like ornamental grasses. This native variety, an ECG exclusive, dances up a storm in the slightest breeze.‘Rain Dance’ f

If there’s a sedge worth screaming about, it may just be ‘Ice Cream’.This garden confection’s winning recipe features minty green stripes alternating with creamy white stripes. Its neat, mounded, spherical habit completes the picture.But don’t keep it in a bowl. Serve it up in a decorative container, or sprinkled generously around the border. ‘Ice Cream’ stands a tidy 12” tall, and is hardy in Zones 6 – 9. And it won’t melt in sun or part shade.Order up a heaping helping of this cool Carex. No n