Autumn is still killing it.
From left to right:
Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’ (Red Maple)
Miscanthus purpurascens (Flame Grass)
Betula nigra (River Birch)
Tag Archives: miscanthus ‘purpurascens’
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.
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.
A few standouts in the November garden right now.
Pennisetum (Fountain Grass) ‘Foxtrot’
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.
Molinia (Moor Grass) ‘Sky Racer’
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.
Panicum (Switch Grass) ‘Cloud Nine’
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.
Miscanthus purpurascens (Flame Grass)
Another day, another pic of the Flame Grass.
I have no fear of featuring it in a foundation planting.
Barberry
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.
Amsonia hubrichtii
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.
Viburnum carlesii ‘Aurora’
Underrated autumn color and the leaves remain on this shrub longer than any other shrub in my garden.
The Grasses
What else would I lead with at this time of year? Duh. I’m well aware that my last post featured Flame Grass, but I couldn’t resist featuring it yet again. Those silvery blooms blowing in the wind bring the garden to life. Once that green foliage color turns every imaginable shade of orange, it will be sensory overload.
Can you say focal point? Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) is killer right now. While I love it massed for maximum effect, it can hold its own on its own. While the flowers or inflorescence are a show-stopper, give me the sturdy blue stems any day of the week. Even on a Monday.
Ho-hum, another Panicum ‘Northwind’ pic.
The red is really shining through on Panicum ‘Rotstrahlbusch’. These grasses are incredibly fool-proof and have been for over a decade now.
Multiple grasses are anchoring this garden scene. I’ll say it again, as ubiquitous as it may be, the upright and tan blooms of Karl Foerster grass add so much to the late summer garden. Massed or dotted throughout the garden, it doesn’t matter. It works and I won’t stop using it any time soon.
Just a different Instagram filter for a different vibe.
Fine, you win
I cut it down to the ground in early spring. I cut it back again in June. I chopped off a ton of the branches after they were infested with Japanese beetles.
It doesn’t matter. This Salix ‘Hakuro Nishiki’ (Dappled Willow) just keeps growing and growing. If I’m being honest, I’m bored with it but I can’t imagine trying to remove it.
Oh well.
Not looking good
All of my Achillea (Yarrow) ‘Moonwalker’ look like this or worse. The funny thing is they thrived earlier in the summer like never before.
I told myself I wouldn’t dabble in red-blooming Lobelias any longer. They have never escaped the jaws of the deer or the rabbits. Just when all 5 were starting to look great while blooming together, this happened. I even sprayed the bastards with Deer Off the night before.
I’m done.
You know I love me some Sneezeweed ‘Mariachi Series’. But for the first time since I’ve planted them, they are toppling over. It may have been due to a recent deluge of rain so I’ll do my best to remain patient.
Still chasing
Yes, still awkwardly running after each and every Monarch butterfly.
Autumn has arrived
This is the Viburnum that I ceremoniously moved to a new location in the garden a few weeks back. I’m sure the red leaves are due to the stress I put on it and not the fact that fall has come a few weeks to early. Either way, that color is solid and I have big hopes for the future as it matures.
But even better is the sign of all of those berries. This is a Viburnum dentatum ‘All That Glitters’ which requires ‘All That Glows’ as a pollinator. I have both planted close to each other and I’m assuming this is the result of that pollination. They should turn purple in color in the coming weeks.
All of my Itea (Virginia Sweetspire) turn red prematurely in August. This is the dwarf cultivar ‘Little Henry’ which I’m allowing to sucker like mad in a very wet part of the garden.
While it may be slight, you can start to see the color transformation in the foliage of the Amsonia.
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Amsonia hubrichtii
The Red Twig Dogwood just displayed its red stems for the first time this week. And for those curious, the leaf damage was from Japanese beetles a few weeks back.
Ready to shine
The Eupatorium ‘Wayside’ (Hardy Ageratum) are starting to bloom.
But have they ever taken over.
So many of you warned me of this and it is coming to fruition. It may be OK this year, but I see a problem with the years to come. I’ll need to jump on this soon to prevent a total takeover.
Sedum ‘Autumn Fire’ is rounding into form and they are all inundated with bees.
Helenium (Sneezweed) has popped up all over my garden where I least expected it and I’m good with that. That is until it falls over when the many flowers emerge at once.
They may not “shine” but Chelone lyonii (Turtlehead) ‘Hot Lips’ adds a nice dash of color in late summer.
My continuing use of annuals
I’ve added Heliotrope …
… and Persian Shield
… and I must admit I might be coming around even more on using annuals. As many of you know, I’ve rarely used annuals in the garden outside of containers but finally embraced them this year. I’m getting the “fill-in” functionality and long bursts of color. While I prefer to grow over time with my plants, I may be finally crossing the dark side.
I love you, but don’t know where to go with you
I am like totally in love with Aralia ‘Sun King’.
Look at that foliage.
Problem is I have no room for it in my garden. All of my shaded areas are accounted for and even if I made room, I worry about the deer destroying it.
So for now, I’m digging it in a container, shaded on my front porch, and will do my best to overwinter it in the container.
My kids are pulling together all of their school supplies.
They’re also panicking with the current status of their summer reading assignments.
There are exhibition NFL games playing on TV.
Grocery stores are peddling all of their overrated pumpkin products.
Horrific TV shows are being pimped by the big networks.
Fall is coming and there’s nothing we can do about it.
I’m the biggest fan of summer there is and I’m in no rush to wish it away, but the reality is once September 1st arrives and the kids are hopping on and off of the bus each day, autumn has arrived. Summer gets ripped off by almost a month and I hate it.
End of rant.
From a “glass hall full perspective”, my garden may look its best in the fall. And that is all because of my large collection of ornamental grasses. Most OG’s reach their peak in September and October as their mix of stunning foliage color and uniquely colored blooms announce their presence with a fluorish.
If you ask me which grass in my garden stands out more than any other, I’d choose Miscanthus Purpurascens or Flame Grass.
The photo above doesn’t even begin to tell the whole story. From August through November it puts on one mother of a show.
Here it is current day, with its bright green foliage just starting to show hints of yellow and orange (ignore the blooms in the pic, those are from Panicum ‘Heavy Metal’ in the background).
I have a bunch of these grasses all over my garden. Most in full sun, but a few in partial shade and they’ve all been thriving for years now. In the photo below (middle of the bed and to the right), you can see how that bright green plays well in a mixed bed with other grasses, shrubs and perennials.
The blooms start to emerge anywhere from mid-August to early September here in zone 6B New Jersey. They start off red-tinged and quickly transform to a bright white.
At that same time, you can see how the foliage color really transforms into a delicious mix of green/orange/yellow.
I like to play off of the Miscanthus Purpurascens blooms with the blooms of other grasses like Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’ below.
Or with Panicum ‘Heavy Metal’.
When this grass is backlit by the sun, it’s magical.
I’ve also come to appreciate how the flowers provide a very cool backdrop to the spent blooms of the Bee Balm or Coneflowers.
Did I mention the Miscanthus Purpurascens foliage is kind of killer?
Even as the late summer/fall progresses, the foliage remains stellar, eventually changing to all orange/tan.
One foggy and mystical-like morning last October, I took the following three photos. This alone made it worth adding Miscanthus Purpurascens to my garden.
I know. I won’t even try to be humble here. Those pics are amazing and I’m amazing for taking them.
Even as we move into the dark days of November, Flame Grass still makes a big impact in the garden with the blooms persevering and providing a fantastic contrast to all of the “brown” that has taken over.
The specifics:
SIZE: 4-5′ x 3-4′
ZONE: 4-9
EXPOSURE: Full sun to partial shade
BLOOM:Â August to November
SOIL: Consistent moisture required
GRASS TYPE: Warm season
NATIVE: Japan
MAINTENANCE: Cut to ground in late winter or early spring as with most ornamental grasses.
DRAWBACKS:
- Miscanthus sinensis, in general, is identified as invasive in many states. I’ve had no issues with rampant self-seeding to date.
- This Miscanthus is clump forming so there may be a need to keep it in bounds through division every few years.
A few thoughts for today:
- Doesn’t this picture make you a little bit sad?
I cut back this one Agastache to the ground a few weeks back because it was dried to a crisp and did it ever put on nice new growth in no time. And then just this week this one bloom appeared. It feels so bittersweet since the real cold weather is just around the corner.
Valiant effort little guy.
- Is there a better name than Flame Grass for this one?
True story: An unknown civilian called me over to their car in front of my home the other day. I assumed they were going to ask for directions but then realized, no one does that any more with Google and GPS right? I prepared for the worst and even prepared for an evil clown to emerge only to have them ask, “What is that bush over there? It is stunning.”
“Sir, that is Miscanthus purpurascens or Flame Grass for you common folk.”
- A close 2nd to the “best looking ornamental grass right now” is Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium).
Tremendous coloration, especially when back lit by the late afternoon sun.
- This combination of Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’) and an Anemone I have no memory of ever planting has been fun. I couldn’t recreate this effect if I tried.
It is better to be lucky than good.
- The Obedient plant (Physostegia ‘Vivid’) has easily quadrupled in size in the past two years and is a unique bloom color this time of year.
- And finally, I would be super appreciative if you could read my latest post over at Medium.com:Â How losing my wallet made my life easier. This may sound crazy, but the content and style of this article is one that I’m strongly considering for a book. If you do check it out, I would love for you to click on the little heart at the bottom of the story. That greatly helps me with getting others to read it as well. And as always, let me know what you think, good or bad. I need the feedback, desperately.
- I lied, one more. I hopefully fixed the issue with the subscription pop-up but need your confirmation that it is in fact working again. Let me know in the comments section if you have a minute.
Thank you and have a hell of a day.
As we hit the midpoint of August and slog through the dog days of summer, I realize that the plants in my garden can be broken down into three different categories:
Fading
Still going strong
Ready to take center stage
I guess these same categories exist throughout all of the gardening “seasons”, but it seems to be at an extreme right now.
And the garden, shocker, reflects life itself. Allow me to pontificate.
With the heat and humidity at what feels like an all time high (I’ll still take it over winter) I some times find myself caving and giving in to the joys of air conditioning. Likewise, so many plants have succumbed to the conditions and have thrown in the towel. No more fighting for that last new bloom or trying to keep up the facade of clean looking foliage. Uncle.
At the same time, there are those plants in my garden that say “f you” to these conditions and keep kicking ass. Not too unlike a certain gardener I know who can’t get enough of the stinging sweat in his eyes, the burning in the calves and easily runs through three t-shirts a day. A gardener who accepts the chuckles from his neighbors and keeps pulling weeds like it was hot yoga.
And then there are those plants who sense the cooler weather is coming and are ramping up for a big time display. There are subtle signs from some and not so subtle signs from others. You can feel their excitement, their turn to take the lead in the play. Fall is their time and they f’n know it. Hopefully my kids feel that same type of energy and excitement as they soon head off to high school and 5th grade. Because all kids feel that way,right?
FADING
No plants better represent the concept of fading than the coneflower. Phenomenal in peak bloom but in my humble opinion, still killer as the pink and yellow and white washes out, turns black and eventually becomes all cone.
Almost all of the Bee Balm blooms are in full fade mode yet still have a presence. That is if you take them in from a distance and ignore the slow takeover of powdery mildew.
Fading Agastache still pulls in the bees and who wants to get in the way of that?
STILL GOING STRONG
The dwarf Sneezeweed (‘Mariachi’ series) are still blooming strong and the deer have no interest.
Providing a nice contrast in form and color with the emerging ornamental grasses.
If it takes surrounding hydrangea by grasses and other deer despising plants, so be it. It has worked and this hydrangea continues to thrive even with the extreme heat of the past few weeks.
Veronica ‘Royal Candles’, one of the few plants I cut back religiously, always provides multiple rebloom periods. These were cut back only two weeks ago.
Of course it isn’t all about the flowers and one of my favorite foliage plants right now is Diervilla ‘Cool Splash’. It brightens up one of the few shaded areas in my garden and holds up all spring/summer.
I have tried for years to find a blue evergreen that would be ignored by the deer and say “no problem” to my clay soil that can sometimes be a bit waterlogged. Some how, Juniper ‘Wichita Blue’ has been the one to take the crown and three years in I am beyond thrilled. Upright, untouched by the deer and very little winter damage has made it a winner.
READY TO TAKE CENTER STAGE
The first signs of bloom on the Sedum ‘Autumn Fire’ appeared this week, which is always a reminder that September is fast approaching.
Boltonia blooms aplenty are here with plenty more to come. Of course once all blooms are present it will lean over and not be as fun to look at but I’ll be sure to never show you that photo.
Eupatorium ‘Wayside’ or Hardy Ageratum (but not really an Ageratum) finally survived the winter for me after two previous attempts. It seems to have reseeded more than it actually survived but who can complain. I love the late season color. A fun one to photograph in fall.
BONUS – Ornamental Grasses
I kind of like ornamental grasses in case you are new here. You’ve been warned.
Pennisetum ‘Hameln’ in full bloom as of this week.
First signs of blooms on Panicum ‘Northwind’.
Same goes for Miscanthus ‘purpurascens’ or Flame Grass.
Panicum ‘Rotstrahlbusch’ and their airy blooms.
I “attempted” to rid my garden of all Northern Sea Oats and while there is still a ways to go, I’ve made major progress. Having said that, I can’t deny these NSO that have grown right through an Itea shrub look kind of awesome. Oh well.
QOTD: Do you like this time of year in your garden? Why or why not?
My garden is dominated by ornamental grasses. It started out of necessity as they could handle the poor draining clay soil, all day sun, harsh wintry conditions and were completely ignored by the deer. But is has since evolved into me simply loving the hell out of them as witnessed by my numerous posts on the topic. They are the backbone of my garden.
A friend recently asked me “Which grasses should I plant this spring?” and I told him I’ll do you one better, I’ll dedicate an entire post to my personal favorites. A handy little guide for those who are just entering the OG world or are looking to add a few to their existing collection. My recommendations are solely based on grasses that have resided in my own garden as I’ve had the time to watch them mature and adapt over the years. There are definitely others I’ve seen in other gardens that I would recommend as well, but until I have a personal experience with them, I cannot comment.
I’ve dedicated posts to many of these individual grasses, so simply click on the name of the grass to read in greater detail. I’ve also included a few quick tidbits below about each grass.
Here are my top ten ornamental grasses (in no particular order):
- Grass remains completely upright all year long.
- Reached full size (5′-6′) within three years after planting a tiny plug.
- Underrated yellow fall color.
- First grass I ever planted.
- My favorite fall “red”of all the Panicums
- I’ve divided this grass numerous times with ease.
- The biggest head turner in Fall with its foliage color of red/green/orange.
- The silver blooms are a nice contrast.
- Looks fantastic with fall perennials (Dwarf sneezeweed in the photo)
- This towering native grass (middle of pic) reaches 7 feet when in bloom.
- Took 2-3 years to establish, but now upright and stays that way through winter.
- Individual blooms are interesting when viewed up close.
- Only two years in with this one and it has already established itself well.
- Great late summer/fall foliage color.
- Tons of blooms starting in summer and they still look good into the winter.
- Reliable performer year after year. 9 years in for me.
- Doesn’t hold up as well in winter as the other grasses.
- A bit weedy like most Miscanthus.
- Yes, you can find them everywhere, but there is a reason for that. Care free and upright and buff blooms all summer and into fall.
- I like to squeeze one in between perennials as a great contrast in texture and color.
- I divide all the time with ease and nothing but success.
Schizachyrium (Little Bluestem) ‘Blue Heaven’
- Great blue color in spring and then shades of pink and red in late summer.
- Has handled early morning shade without issue.
- Two years in with this one and I’m in love with it. Holds up all season including in winter.
- A slow to establish cool season grass but worth the wait. This one is all about the blooms as they get 4′ to 5′ tall and look killer at the back of a border.
- Does not hold up in winter as the blooms break off.
- Just planted ‘Cordoba’ for the first time which is allegedly even better than ‘Skyracer’.
- Another newcomer for me as we’re three years in. About 3′ to 4′ in height but should reach 6′ to 7′.
- The foliage color is off the charts already. Red hues even in spring and then dark red in fall.
- Seems slower to establish but it will be worth the wait. Only a few blooms to date.
And a few bonus “non-recommendations”:
- The picture to the right is this cool season grass at its peak. Short lived though as it becomes nondescript the rest of the year.
- Nowhere near as solid as ‘Karl Foerster’
Panicum ‘Heavy Metal’
- Maybe TBD is a better description. Nothing bad, just not as exciting as other switch grasses to date.
- I haven’t seen much of a blue hue so far, just a drab green.
- Just read this and you’ll understand why I gave up on it.
Each season has its own unique beauty in the garden and dammit, that is why I love this gardening thing so much. It is never dull and in constant motion in a wonderfully subtle way.
With that theme in mind, there are some photo sets below depicting the same section of garden at different times this year. The first photo in each set is from current day. The subsequent photos then move backwards in time throughout the 2014 gardening season.
Enjoy.
Eupatorium maculatum (Joe Pye Weed) in front of Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’:
Sedum ‘Autumn Fire’, Viburnum carlesii ‘Aurora’, Miscanthus purpurascens (Flame Grass) and Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’:
Panicum ‘Rots’, Viburnum bracteatum ‘Emerald Lustre’, Miscanthus ‘Variegatus’:
Weigela ‘Wine and Roses’, Purple coneflower, Perovskia (Russian Sage):
Similar plants as listed above but from a different angle:
Barberry, Iris versicolor, Clethra ‘Hummingbird’, Monarda (Bee Balm), etc.:
A little bit of everything:
Looking through Physocarpus (Ninebark) ‘Diablo’ to the aforementioned Joe Pye Weed/Miscanthus combo:
