Happy first day of Autumn! I hate to see the summer go, but fall is one of my favorite seasons. I haven't seen to much fall color yet, but I can't wait to share my photos when I do!
Ornamental grasses look great all year round, but in the fall they really look fantastic, which is why I thought it was a great subject for this post.
Panicum 'Thundercloud' PPAF
Panicum 'Thundercloud' PPAF, or better known as Switch Grass, is super tall, it can get up to 8'! That's my sister, Karin standing by it, and she's about 5'7. The greatest thing about 'Thundercloud' is it doesn't fall over in the windy thunderstorms! I look over our display gardens and see lots of grasses flopped over, which is so disappointing because grasses provide such great winter interest. This grass is on its 3rd year and has shown no signs of falling!
The above photo of 'Thundercloud' doesn't show off its height, but does show off its great habit when its blooming and how well it looks next to a Butterfly bush (Buddelia) and low growing Blanket Flower (Gaillardia 'Oranges & Lemons).
Another one of my favorites is Pennisetum
a. 'Desert Plains' PPAF, or better known as Fountain Grass. For me, 'Desert Plains' is hands down the best Pennisetum out there right now. Its a seedling of 'Cassin', but has a better habit and has looks more incredible when it blooms. Its has great fall color as well! Unfortantly I don't have a photo that really shows off the fall color, but wait, I'll be posting that soon!
Panicum 'Desert Plains' PPAF
The last two grasses were from Gary Trucks from Amber Wave Gardens. Besides running his nursery he not only hybridizes grasses, but also daylilies and other various plants. I haven't run across a plant I didn't like from Gary Trucks, making him yet another one of my fav plantsmen.
Another one of my fav's Panicum
a. 'Dewey Blue' better known as Bitter Switch Grass, is selected by Rick Darke, another grass guru. According to the article I'm about to link you to at the end of the paragraph Neil Lucas indroduced this grass at the Chelsea flower show. I just tried several times to sum Rick Darke up in a sentence or two, but I couldn't do it. Instead check out his website, www.rickdarke.com. I know him best for his book
The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses: Sedges, Rushes, Restios, Cat-Tails and Selected Bamboos and for his beautiful photography. I'm almost positive if you open up any of his books all you see is his photography. Check out one of his beautiful photos of this grass here. http://www.gardening.co.uk/news/article/mps/uan/327. See my not-so-great photo below. The plant I took a photo of is still immature, hopefully I'll get a better photo soon!
Panicum a. 'Dewey Blue'
I was busy working away in my cubicle and I heard the flower delivery guy come in and say my name! I almost feel over in my chair. I've been with my boyfriend for 3 years and he's never gotten me flowers! Finally, he took a hint and did a great job!
What a unique combination of lilies and mums. I'm going to have to try my own version of this flower arrangement this summer.
As I anxiously await Spring I find myself pouring over Garden Magazines and searching the internet for the perfect plants to plant in my garden next Spring. One of the combos I've decided on is Agastache 'Golden Jubilee' (Anise Hysop) amd Echinacea 'All that Jazz' PPAF (Coneflower). Both of the plants are mid summer to early fall bloomers, but 'Golden Jubilee's beautiful golden foliage will add color to my garden all season long. I think 'All that Jazz' unique fluted petals are so cool. This plant is a must-have in my garden! Is such a heavy bloomer that if I can snip a few flowers off and put them in a vase and you won't even notice. Both plants are very fragrant, which may bother my allergies, but I don't care, I love having scents in my garden!
Stachys 'Hummelo' is one of my favorite plants. It has such a nice habit it looks great even when its not flowering! I thought the this combination of Hummelo, Monarda 'Pink Lace' and Coreopsis was a very cute combination!
