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Tennessee Gardening

novice gardener asks for help please

Jennifer Cotter

15 years ago

Hi,

I've just bought Lemon Grass plant and a Cortaderia selloanna Rosea grass. They should arrive any day now.

My question is should i keep them indoors until Spring then transplant them outside. Or will it be ok to plant outside this week? I'd hate the frost to kill them off.

I'm learning so much on this forum.

Thanks so much

Jen

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Comments (4)

brandon7 TN_zone7
15 years ago
Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass) is a tropical and would be unlikely to survive the winter outside without considerable protection. It should be grown as a houseplant until the chance of frost has passed in the spring.

Cortaderia selloana 'Rosea' (Pink Pampas Grass) is hardy at least through zone 7. It should be planted outside when it arrives. I would plant it in well draining soil. If you have clay, you might consider making a small berm to aid drainage.
conniemcghee
15 years ago
I don't think it's possible to kill Pampas grass. LOL! At least that's what I hear. I just planted a lot of grasses yesterday. I think it's fine to plant them in spring or fall.

Lemon grass..not sure about that one. ?
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I will look into creeping red fescue--have never heard of it. Would you happen to know the "proper" name? Will also google it. Will also look for Ohio spiderwort. Also, I'm curious about the rye grass. I've read of that in vegetable garden books. That is a definite attraction to me. Doesn't it also improve the soil? I did hear recently of a couple in Lindsborg, Kansas about 70 miles from here who gave up their traditional lawn for a native grass that is bluish in color and gets 4-6 inches tall. I will try to find a way to get in touch with them. If it is dependent on sun, cannot use it. I had areas of my buffalo reseeded and it is fraught with weeds. My neighbor went to a nursing home, and the nephew who looks after the place is a farmer with no time, and let the lawn go wild, so I am getting the effects--that plus an abundant amount of rain this spring are the two causes, I believe. I have cats who are indoor/outdoor cats and try never to use herbicides, so I have spent hours weeding and nursing the buffalo along. The buffalo area is quite large and is around the sides and old front of our house. The new front is in the back of our house and I have a small area of fescue (forgive me for that!) and many perennial plants. But should the buffalo never recover, I sure would like to find a native grass. Thanks for your replies. Alleycallie
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Jennifer Cotter
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks so much Brandon & Connie. They arrived and i have planted the pampa grass outside and the lemon grass inside which my cat is mesmorizede at.
anntn6b
15 years ago
Lemongrass needs to be grown as a potted plant to survive winter.
(I'm starting Lemongrass by rooting it from a start bought at an oriental grocery store in Knoxville. Just a typical ole' grass that wants to live.)

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