I'm wondering about the container size too. If this plant is basically the property of your cat, I would not want the container to have too much exposed potting mix which the cat begins to use as an alternate litter box. If so, then large pebbles over the exposed surface would be called for. If your plant goes from a south facing balcony a few feet inside the window also facing south, little change of its environment, unless there is a heating vent blowing on it. I've never kept one indoors in a container, but grasses are pretty hardy plants and even look good planted in a bird bath to simulate a water feature....which requires regular watering. However, mine planted that way died, so I'm no help telling you how to keep one alive!

Most beeches have roots close to the surface, so this alternative should result in the least disturbance of the roots. Unless you have a VERY good reason for removing the sod, why don't you just lay down either flattened cardboard (tape and labels removed) or 4-6 sheets of black-ink newpaper and let it smother the grasses? You can spread your compost and mulch over it (no more than 4" deeep), and if you keep the edges of the paper covered (it wicks moisture from the soil, if exposed), and keep it damp, the paper will break down in a few months, the worms will mix it all together, and the only labor is spreading the paper(s), compost and mulch. If you use newspaper, and it's a windy day, spray the sheets with water as you lay them out, so you don't end up chasing them all over your yard, never mind the neighborhood! Overlap both paper and/or cardboard, so no grass can grow up through any gaps. This won't kill off really established perennial weeds but the soil will be soft enough that digging or pulling them is a lot easier - I still have to dig/pull wild onions, curly dock, horse nettle, etc., but it's a LOT easier. You may have to cut the pieces of cardboard to get the shape you need, but a sharp knife makes that easy. It will surprise you about the amount of paper or cardboard it will take, so collect more than you think you will need.

Hiya Mary and all, Your new books sound great--let us know what you think of them. I've got several MI books too (love "Agaves, Yuccas and Related Plants") but not the one you mention. I've really, really been enjoying 'Palm Springs-Style Gardens' which is by a woman who lives in and gardens in, Palm Springs, so almost all that she discusses and photographs is relevant for us here too. She totally "gets" that distinction between what grows in Los Angeles and what doesn't once you cross east of Banning, CA. Anyway, your new books sound fun. And definitely let us know what you select for your privacy. I like Mexican flame vine, but it sure can get zapped by cool weather. I'm a big fan of hopseed (Dodonea) as it really does grow quickly, is immune to our weather (since it's native) and doesn't need much water when established. Fun post/discussion and replies. Thanks! Grant Here is a link that might be useful: Palm Springs Style Gardens (book)

I love mine...I call them purple fountain grass, but it's the same thing, I believe. Penisetum "Rubra?" I have never had any of mine seed, but the clump gets thicker each year. And nothing seems to cause them any problems. In early spring, I weedwhack 'em down to about a foot tall or so, and they come back really full. I leave them all winter, even if they look dead, as I think they add interesting texture to the garden. More decorative grasses, less LAWN, that's my motto! Marcia