August 14, 2020

Mid-August is when ornamental grasses and many herbaceous perennials begin to shine. Beginning in late July and continuing through the fall and into winter, many of these plants are in their peak bloom. But there are many other plants that can be used to provide a show from now till fall. Combinations are key. Using plants such as Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium dubium) in combination with plants of similar height such as Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum “Cape Breeze”) and Russian Sage (Perovskia “Little Spire”). The combination of these plants brings out the best in each. The muted colors are superb when used in the background of an herbaceous border.

Another great combination that I like is Penstemon digitalis “Husker Red” used with Mexican Feather Grass (Nasella tenuissima). The feather grass is a beautiful golden color much of the season and is highlighted by the red foliage of the Penstemon. Combine this with my all-time favorite ornamental grass, Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). There are several cultivars of Little Bluestem that are wonderful including “The Blues” that grows to 24 inches and “Blue Heaven” that grows to 48 inches. Both, as well as the straight species, are wonderful for their blue foliage that matures to various shades of maroon in the fall and is a great complement to many plants in a border. I think I might have mentioned in a previous article my love for another native grass, Muhlenbergia capillaris. This plant is a show-stopper in late summer into fall, and I seldom see people using this amazing native grass. I’m also a huge fan of Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis). This native species forms roundish tufts of fine-textured foliage that will grow from 24 to 30 inches in height and diameter and are very tolerant of drought and our less-than-ideal soils. Seed heads appear around August and are topped with pink and brown seed. The plant has a faint fragrance of coriander. The seeds were ground to make flour by Native Americans that I’ve read is quite tasty.