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Georgia Gardener

Native ornamental grass

15 years ago

I've been hemming and hawing over a garden area. It is a rectangle which can get full AM sun and then get shadier or part-shady. It is near windows so I did want some spikey stuff, but also interested in edibles and natives.

The back (which is window side) currently has mahonia. Not native....but spikey.

The middle is a large hearts a bustin'...the edge has the native little blueberry...I am going to add a few opuntia for spines and for fruit...but am considering a grass to work in between sizing of low blueberry and opuntia.

Muhly is an option...are there any others (native, non-invasive, can handle clay, moist or dry...) - I am worried muhly might be same height as opuntia...

Thanks,

Fl

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Comments (8)

Iris GW
15 years ago
I really have not gotten into native grasses, but here is a good article on it from Pennsylvania.

Also, here an overview of warm season native grasses on the GNPS website with some resources listed at the bottom.

Here is a link that might be useful: GNPS
girlgroupgirl
Original Author
15 years ago
OK, then any lower growing shrubs? Not the other evergreen blueberry, please. I will use that elsewhere. I'm looking for something without dusty grey or blue foliage because these plants will be layered together....
I also need an evergreen groundcover that can take chunks of clay mixed with compost. It's not a very pretty mix of soil in that area, but I've done my best. It's red clay mixed with Kaolin clay and county compost.....

GGG
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You are seriously limiting your choices if you insist on natives. If you can drop that stipulation, there are dozens of good selections. As long as the ones you choose are not invasive in your area, I see no reason not to expand your palette. (Just my two cents worth.) BTW, I hail from Kingsport, Tn., so am somewhat familiar with your climate. Good ones I have grown here in Mississippi: purple muhly grass (muhlenbergia): This is my favorite for beauty, easy care, long season of interest, and ease of maintenance). When it blooms in the fall it will stop traffic, literally. Miscanthus varieties: Gracillimus, Morning Light, Rigoletto, and Adagio are all beautiful and low maintenance. They get pretty big. Their one fault is their need for division every few years. Since their root balls are massive, division is an extremely strenuous task. Still, they are unsurpassed for beauty, IMO. They can be expensive, but if you buy just one pot and divide it into equal parts, even small parts, they grow so quickly that you'll have all you want in very short order. Mexican Feather Grass: a truly lovely graceful small grass. It doesn't love my humidity or my irrigation system, but I would imagine it would do fine where you are if it is winter hardy. Calamagrostis is also a lovely grass. I have Overdam, which is a variegated one. In my climate it needs some shade, but I bet it would love your area.
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Iris GW
15 years ago
In regards to groundcovers, both Green N Gold (Chrysogonum virginianum) and Mouse eared Coreopsis (Coreopsis auriculata 'Nana') are tough and at least semi-evergreen if not fully. Last year, both were available in Home Depot as quart/pint perennials.

For low growing shrub, look into Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low' , but it is not evergreen.
girlgroupgirl
Original Author
15 years ago
Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low' would be fantastical but way too large. I think I'll use it on slopes though! I love it!!

I already have the two others you mentioned.... (not trying to be hard on 'ya esh....it's just I want something new and different than I have in this spot!!).
GGG
Iris GW
15 years ago
Hey, I am not offended - I'm glad to hear you already have those.

Given that you have morning sun but afternoon shade, here are some other groundcover suggestions.
girlgroupgirl
Original Author
15 years ago
Esh, I just don't wanna be too hard on your brain!! I have ordered a few more native plant books. I have the Foote book but I find it difficult because it lists just about everything, garden "worthy" (for a city garden, that is) or not.
I like the idea of the lyrata sage. I have it in quite a few places, and I don't have purple in this area anywhere and could sure use it. Plus, this is care free as it multiplies on it's own!
That is a good article.

I would like to grow pussytoes. I've tried a few of the other things listed in this good article, and they did not sruvive for me....galax, pussytoes, partridgeberry - what do they really like? I thought I had found great places for them, but I guess not.

GGG
Iris GW
15 years ago
I think the article describes what they like. I have pussytoes naturally - an especially happy patch along a path behind the house, nothing special. Galax is often found on a slope, but I have transplanted it to other places and it is happy there too. Patridgeberry seems like it a little moist. The thing about native plants, you can't be too nice to them or you'll kill them with kindness!

A great book on native grasses (and ferns and mosses) is the relatively new one by Cullina.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to book
satellitehead
15 years ago
I have sea oats and enjoy them. But..... Perennial

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