ANNUAL FOUNTAIN GRASS
Pennisetum setaceum
An annual, its purple or green foliage is a dramatic accent in containers or beds. Height 2-4', Spread 1-2'

BLUE OAT GRASS
Helictotrichon sempervirens
Tufted, blue, semi-evergreen foliage, requires good drainage. Height 1-3', Spread 1-2'

KARL FOERSTER FEATHER REED GRASS
Calamagrostis arundinacea 'Karl Foerster'
One of the most useful grasses. It prefers rich soils, blooms in early summer; gold in fall, turning to buff in winter. Height 4-6', Spread 2-3'

OVERDAM FEATHER REED GRASS
Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Overdam'
White variegated foliage, pink cast plumes in early summer. Height 3-5', Spread 1-2.5'

FALL BLOOMING REED GRASS
Calamagrostis arundinacea var. brachytricha
Bright yellow in fall, blooms late summer to fall. Height 2-4', Spread 1-2.5'

FOUNTAIN GRASS
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Cultivars noted below'
An attractive fluffy bloom. Bright green foliage forms a dense mound and becomes a soft straw color in winter. Not recommended for Northern Illinois gardens. Height 2-3', Spread 1.5-2.5'

Hameln Fountain Grass
Dark green, fine textured foliage. A bit more compact in habit, 18-30", in height.

Moudry Fountain Grass
blooms emerge dark brown, and mature to almost black. Foliage is often purple tinted.

JAPANESE SILVER GRASS
Miscanthus sinensis 'Cultivars noted below'
Showy blooms from July-September, not recommended for Northern Illinois gardens. Height 4-6', Spread 2-3'

Strictus Gold, horizontal bands on leaves
Bluttenwonder bluish cast foliage
Autumn Light yellow fall color, very hardy
Gracillimus silvery cast foliage
Graziella blooms contrast well with foliage
Purpurescens one of the best fall colors; reddish cast summer foliage turns a wonderful red orange, in fall.

LITTLE BLUESTEM GRASS
Schizachyrium scoparium
A native prairie grass that turns bronze to orange in fall; effective into the winter. Height 2-4', Spread 1-2'

PLUME GRASS
Erianthus ravennae
An outstanding specimen to replace the non-hardy pampas grass. Remove flower stalks in fall, leaving foliage for winter interest. Height 8-11', Spread 3-4'

PRAIRIE DROPSEED
Sporobolus heterolepis
A highly useful native prairie grass. Slow to mature, it develops neat 18" mounds. Airy, late summer blooms have a sweet smell. Gold fall color, turning creamy brown in winter. It prefers well-drained to dry soils. Height 2-3', Spread 1.5-2'

RIBBON GRASS
Phalaris arundinacea var. picta
White variegation in foliage, it prefers moist soil. It can become aggressive. Height 1-3', Spread 2-3'

SIOUX BLUE INDIAN GRASS
Sorghastrum nutans 'Sioux Blue'
A selection of a prairie native, noted for its blue gray foliage, turning yellow in fall and a burnt orange in winter. Height 3-5', Spread 2-2.5'

SKYRACER MOOR GRASS
Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Skyracer'
Slower to establish, it makes an incredible focal point, especially when displayed against a backdrop of evergreens. Blooms, held prominently above the foliage, sway and bounce with the breeze. Bright yellow fall color. Height 5-7', Spread 2-3'

SWITCH GRASS
Panicum virgatum 'Cultivars noted below'
A native grass with large, airy blooms in summer. It tends to be adaptable to a wide range of soils. Height 3-5', Spread 2-3'

Haense Hermes Switch Grass
Compact and narrow, foliage reddens as summer progresses and becomes orange red in fall.

Heavy Metal Switch Grass
Stiff blue foliage, yellow fall color.

Rostrahlbusch Switch Grass
Reddish brown through season, becoming more red in autumn.

Prairie Sky Switch Grass
Stiff, upright, blue foliage