The Obsessive Neurotic Gardener

Tag Archives: Pennisetum ‘Karley Rose’

Ornamental Grass Photos

Posted on by Posted in Ornamental grass .

I

JUST

CAN’T

STOP

bluestem foliage

Little Bluestem ‘Blue Heaven’

 

bluestem

Little Bluestem ‘Blue Heaven’

 

flame grass blooms

Flame grass

 

flame grass2

Flame grass

 

gracillimus

Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’

 

pennisetum blooms

Pennisetum ‘Karley Rose’

 

grass bloom

Pennisetum ‘Karley Rose’

 

miscanthus blooms

Flame grass and Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’

 

miscanthus gracillimus

Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’

 

miscanthus

Miscanthus ‘Variegatus’

 

miscanthus2

Miscanthus ‘Cabaret’

 

molinia

Molinia ‘Sky Racer’

 

morning light and joe pye

Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’ and Joe Pye Weed

 

panicum northwind

Panicum ‘Northwind’

 

panicum

Panicum ‘ Rotstrahlbusch’

 

pennisetum foliage

Pennisetum ‘Desert Plains’

 

pennisetum

Pennisetum ‘Desert Plains’

 

pennisetum joe pye

Pennisetum ‘Hameln’

 

sorghastrum

Sorghastrum ‘Sioux Blue’

 

zebra grass

Zebra Grass

Some ornamental grass reviews

Posted on by Posted in Ornamental grass .

Let’s talk ornamental grasses today, shall we?

Good, glad you are game. Onward.

By far the most consistent ornamental grass for me in terms of size, shape, bloom and winter non toppling over-ness, Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’ is again kicking some serious booty, even in July:

You are looking at the best part of Calamagrostis (Feather Reed Grass) ‘El Dorado’:

But upon closer inspection, not all that great:

I have a bunch of these located all over the property and really none of them are impressing. The best looking one is in half shade so maybe that is the answer. More to come.

I know they are everywhere and similar to ‘El Dorado’ in terms of being rather “blah” (snobby horticultural term in case you haven’t heard it before) but I still like looking at the blooms on my ‘Karl Foerster’ Feather Reed Grasses from my deck, especially when backlit by the sun in late afternoon: 

Another grass I’ve soured on of late is Pennisetum ‘Karley Rose’. The overall shape is weak and the bloom count has been small the past two years or so:

Maybe it is time to divide and that will improve things. Sounds like a nice Fall task to me. 
You’ve heard me discuss it numerous times in the past, but I’ll say it again – Panicum (Switch Grass) ‘Rotstrahlbusch’ really kicks ass. The one that I divided this Spring is already blooming:

And another division from two years ago keeps on keeping on:

Still loving Purple Fountain Grass in containers, especially now that the ladies are blooming: ï»¿

Aren’t you two beauties (AKA Miscanthus ‘Variegatus’) holding up wonderfully:

And finally, you are looking at my new favorite resting place, now adorned with two Blue Dune Lyme Grass in containers:

There are plenty other grasses to review but we will give those some time to develop a bit further this Summer.
Hope you enjoyed. 
John


Pennisetum orientale ‘Karley Rose’

Posted on by Posted in Ornamental grass .

Hello, my name is John (audience responds: “Hi John”) and I’m addicted to growing ornamental grasses.

It all started a few years ago when I moved into my current home and quickly realized three things:

  1. My clay soil drains very slowly
  2. My property has very little shade   
  3. Deer will always be on the prowl

I tried to fight my conditions at first but it didn’t take long to accept that it was a battle I could not win. I would have to accept what I had if I wanted to remain a sane gardener.

One “type” of plant overwhelmingly fit my growing conditions … the ornamental grass. It was a match made in heaven and I have never looked back.        

And here’s the thing, I will continue to feed my addiction for the foreseeable future. Bank on it. There are so many options out there and a lifetime to try them all out.  
Anyways, for today’s OG lesson, I will discuss Pennisetum ‘Karley Rose’ (oriental fountain grass):

Some good bits of info to share with your friends:

  • Size – roughly 3′ x 3′
  • Survives in zones 5-9
  • Like most OG’s, prefers full sun but will do OK in partial shade
  • KR is a warm season grass so it will begin to grow as the temps warm up in mid to late spring
  • Starts to bloom in July which is earlier than most warm season grasses
  • Blooms are a pink/mauve color that eventually turn to a tan color as the season progresses
  • Foliage holds up reasonably well in rough weather and rebounds quickly after a rain and/or snow
  • While I’ve never grown the species, KR has a much deeper green foliage and longer lasting and pinker flowers       

And some pics for your viewing pleasure:

In a combo with Sedum ‘Matrona’:

Blooms slowly fading from pink to tan:

In my mixed border fitting in well as a “sort of” focal point:

Still holding up well in mid-Fall (with Panicum):

Your lesson for today is now done. We’ll talk more OG’s soon.

John