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| Photo Credit: Courtesy of Intrinsic Introductions |
| Just 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide, ‘Piglet’ dwarf fountain grass works well in small gardens. |
Grasses can add a whole new dimension to your garden, and there are some wonderful new releases for 2008!
For starters, say hello to ‘Piglet’ dwarf fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Piglet’ PPAF), a great little grass that’s just the right size for a small garden. Standing just 18 inches tall in a space-saving clump only 24 inches wide, almost anyone will have room for this textural-interest specimen. (And its late summer blooms make the plant a nice addition for container gardens.) When you get it home, be sure to give it plenty of sun and good drainage! ‘Piglet’ is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 5-9.
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| Photo Credit: Courtesy of Plant Haven |
| While its foliage sure looks like an ornamental grass, Libertia ixioides ‘NNGF2’ is technically a member of the Iris family. |
If you’re in the mood for something exotic, bring the glowing sun down to earth with this hot little number from New Zealand: Goldfinger New Zealand Iris (Libertia ixioides ‘NNGF2’ PP18228). Although it’s not technically a grass, its foliage really resembles one, which is why you’ll find this beauty in the grasses section at a garden center. But foliage is where the similarities end – the clusters of white flowers give it away as an Iris in summer, and the blooms turn to pretty red berries come fall.
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| Photo Credit: Courtesy of Plant Haven |
| The blooms of Goldfinger New Zealand Iris are a giveaway that the plant isn’t a real grass. |
The beautiful blade-shaped leaves are striped with a wide, bright gold, central stripe, and they appear to turn colors as the berries set up. Growing just 18 inches tall and wide in a nicely behaved clump, this grasslike perennial is hardy in zones 7-11. Be sure to plant it in full sun to light shade and give it moist, fertile soil for best results.
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| Photo Credit: Courtesy of CNB Greenteam |
| In fall, the variegated leaves of ‘Naomi’ Hakone grass take on magenta and purple hues. |
The irresistible beauty of Hakone grass just went up a notch with the most colorful introduction ever. Imported from France, ‘Naomi’ Hakone grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Naomi’ PPAF) has absolutely gorgeous foliage – and no two leaves look alike. The interest factor just never stops: Tall, elegant, creamy-colored plumes begin to blossom in May and continue into the summer above a gorgeous mound of pale sage green leaves variegated with cream and yellow. The arrival of fall turns the variegation tones magenta and purple.
A forest native, Hakonechloa makes the perfect foil for the expected shade garden dwellers like hosta, ferns and astilbe, but ‘Naomi’ reportedly tolerates more sun than the species. For best results, grow this perennial in normal, loamy soil that’s moist, yet well-drained. Hardy in zones 5-9, this lovely new plant matures at 9-16 inches tall and 18 inches wide. ‘Naomi’ should prove a very easy-care ornamental grass once established.
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