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Ornamental Grasses

perennial fountain grass vs dwarf pampas grass

14 years ago

I have 2 large 2ft planters on my front porch and wanted to plant some type of ornamental grass in them. I have bought some perennial fountain grass and have got one of them planted. My fountain grass is almost all brown with tan bottle like plumes. I liked the look of it because of how it falls over, however the brown does not show up well against the brick of my house. Was wondering if dwarf pampas grass would look better? Whatever I plant has to stay outside during the winter because the planters are too heavy to move. Open to any suggestions. Thanks in advance! Oh by the way, I wasn't sure if the fountain grass was supposed to be turning already because it is still about 82 degrees on average in my area.

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Comment (1)

donn_
14 years ago
First, your Fountain Grass shouldn't be browning up this early. Are you giving it enough water?

Second, I don't know of any varieties of true Pampas Grass (Cortaderia) which would be hardy in a container in your zone. 'Pumila' might get by with a lot of protection, but it's rated to zone 6 in the ground, and your container will be more like zone 5.

Take a look at Panicum amarum 'Dewey Blue.' It's about the size of a dwarf Pampas, is a wonderful blue color, and is extremely cold hardy. The flowering is nothing like Pampas or Fountain, but it's just as attractive, in my opinion.

There are literally dozens of other grasses which will work for you, like many of the Carex varieties. Check out this comparison chart:

http://www.bluestem.ca/grass-comparison-chart.htm

Concentrate on grasses hardy to zone 4 and colder, to be on the safe side, and select the varieties in the size range you desire. The chart links to photographs and more information for each variety.
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