Carex ‘Feather Falls’.
This grass has not only survived but thrived in full sun here in zone 6B New Jersey. It looks great in mass at the front of a garden bed and as you can see below, retains its color and shape into winter. You can read more about it here. As mentioned in this write-up, it kicks the ass of the Liriope and I plan to add more this spring.
I purchased Molinia ‘Sky Racer’ after my main gal Tracy DiSabato-Aust suggested it in one of her books.
I credit Tracy with really getting me into gardening after I read The Well Tended Perennial Garden back in the early aughts (translation: early 2000’s). She had me pruning, pinching, deadheading and cutting back my perennials for the first time and I recorded my results in a spreadsheet that I somehow lost along the way. I was hooked. I felt like I was in on a secret that only a few select gardeners understood. When I managed to chat with her via email a few years back, I was a true fanboy.
Sorry, back to Molinia (Moor Grass) ‘Sky Racer’.
It kicks ass.
I’m sure I’ve shared other photos of this grass in previous posts, but wanted to highlight the beautiful golden hue it’s holding right now. When back lit by the sun, it’s stunning.
If you want to read more about it, click here and my friends at Hoffman Nursery will get you all caught up.
The most underrated aspect of the ornamental grass is the movement it brings to the garden.
Last week I shared a photo of my flame grass (Miscanthus purpurascens) where the silvery blooms absolutely shined when backed with the late afternoon sun.
Killer stuff.
I’m now happy to report that we’ve reached another level. A level I call “peak awesomeness”. The orange has arrived and it is f’n glorious.
Mic drop.
Actually a quick note post mic drop: I’m having issues with my email provider for this blog because I’m now creating a post every day and I’m allegedly limited with the number of emails that can be sent out each day/week/month. Until I figure that out, please know there will be a daily post but you may not see an email to indicate as such. So please, check in directly each day and I promise I’ll continue to deliver.
I love Sorghastrum (Indian Grass) but it is an aggressive seeder that pops up all over my garden and isn’t the easiest to yank out. And it appears to enjoy weaving its way through my many perennials, as seen infiltrating an innocent Amsonia below.
It’s become so bad, that I dedicated an afternoon to just eradicating all of the random Sorghastrum grasses. What will I do to address this dire situation? I may, gulp, cut down the grasses in fall to hopefully cut down on the aggressive seeder that is Indian grass, winter interest be damned.
Actually the more I mull it over as I’m writing this post, the more I’m convinced a cut down is the way to go. Sorghastrum doesn’t hold up well in the winter compared to my other grasses (especially Panicum) so why promote the seeding?
Thanks so much for listening and allowing me to work this out in real time. Appreciate it.
For roughly a week near the end of September, I like to stroll down the steps of my front porch each day at exactly 5:30 pm EST, turn to my direct left and marvel at my Flame Grass (Miscanthus ‘Purpurascens’). The descending sun continues to light up those delicious silvery blooms on the grass while the surrounding plants fall into darkness.
It’s a show like no other.
And this is only the beginning.
Soon after, the leaves of the Flame Grass transform to a bright orange and then the show reaches a level I can’t explain with words. But I’ll be sure to feature it in a future Daily Garden Photo (DGP).
Until then, bathe in the silvery white goodness I’ve shared with you today.
And hold off on asking me about that dead tree in the background. I’m working on it.
Today’s Daily Garden Photo (DGP) is my current favorite part of the garden. I’ve shared multiple pics of it over the past few years, during multiple seasons. But it wasn’t until I added five Carex ‘Feather Falls’ (Sedge grass) this spring that it truly reached what I like to think is epic level.
I’m legit in love with these sedges with their bright presence and flowing leaves. I will be adding a lot more of these once I see them return next spring. Allegedly, they thrive in full sun (yay) and will be hardy to zone 5 (I’m zone 6).
I’ll need to see it before I believe it.
But if they do return without issue, I’ll be purchasing a ton more Carex ‘Feather Falls’, probably into the double digits.
For more info, check out this link.
You’re welcome.
Panicum ‘Cloud Nine’ (Switch Grass) is now in full bloom and this vignette is now complete.
The purple coneflowers continue to multiply year over year and filled in this spot so swimmingly. In front of them are Allium that I like to think keep the critters away with their pungency and all. I also recently added a Little Bluestem ‘Standing Ovation’ here because, why not.
This vignette personifies what’s blooming all over my garden right now. Loads of bee balm, mountain mint and ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass. All have remained full proof over the years. Well that’s a bit inaccurate. The bee balm does suffer from powdery mildew, but I just cut it down and it’s like it never happened.
More Bee Balm next to a recently reseeded Ironweed. I so love reseeding perennials that I like and hate it for those I hate. Deep stuff.
More Mountain Mint that I don’t recall planting in this location. See, gardening is easy.
And all the creatures that visit here thank me.
I share pics of the Verbena every post on this blog but I can’t get enough of them. They are the gift that keeps on giving with all of the reseeding year over year. That is cash saved and that is good.
And OMG do the butterflies, bees and moths spend a lot of time here. I couldn’t get a photo without the moths getting in the way …
… while I tried to snap this …
… and this …
… and this.
I have more Joe Pye Weed than I do any other plant in my garden. And they’re all on the precipice of blooming which transforms my garden as we head into the heart of summer.
Speaking of precipices, the Button Bush just recently displayed a host of those glorious buttons. Will be kicking ass in no time.
Triple the precipice pleasure as the Ironweed are about to bloom. I went nuts planting this after seeing it on the High Line in New York City. It’s getting out of control in an awesome way …
… where it will soon light up this section of garden.
Another little bluestem fronted by ‘Sweet Kate’ Spiderwort.
Let’s take a closer look at the beautiful color on this grass. Can’t get enough.
Just one more, sorry.
For the third year in a row now, one black-eyed Susan has bloomed within this Switch Grass. It makes me happy and I cherish the symbolism. Just not sure what that symbolism is quite yet.
A few standouts in the November garden right now.
This one came out of nowhere this year and kicked some serious garden booty. It bloomed beautifully and quickly reached four to five feet in height after only a year or two in my garden.
I’ll put together a post dedicated to this grass in the upcoming weeks with photos depicting it in all seasons.
Right now, it is shining with fall color.
Another killer grass that keeps making a statement throughout the fall season.
It’s a great specimen grass and unintentionally, a great see-through grass from up higher on my deck.
I believe this Switch Grass is ‘Cloud Nine’ (please call me out if I’m wrong, I have no shame) and my lord does it stand out.
It’s currently at six feet high if not taller and has remained upright without fail.
You can’t help but notice it no matter where you are in my front yard.
Another day, another pic of the Flame Grass.
I have no fear of featuring it in a foundation planting.
I’m not sure of the cultivar of this yellow barberry but is it ever eye popping in color right now.
I swear I didn’t touch up this photo below.
Still kicking butt and taking names this far into the fall. Even if only a small portion of it is visible from a certain angle.
I will never stop adding these to my garden each and every year.
Underrated autumn color and the leaves remain on this shrub longer than any other shrub in my garden.
