Plan a rock garden to suit your site and style

Plant picks: Diminuative ornamental grasses

Blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis)
Height x Spread (cm): 30 to 60 x 30   
Description: Clumping form with olive green foliage; spikes of bristly, brownish purple flowers from June through September; Zone 3  
Growing Conditions:  Full sun; average to dry, well-drained soil

Quaking grass (Briza media)
Height x Spread (cm): 30 to 60 x 30  
Description: Low, clumping form; heart-shaped purple-green flowers that mature to a straw colour; blooms May to July; Zone 4  
Growing Conditions:  Full sun; well-drained soil

‘Evergold’ variegated Japanese sedge (Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’)
Height x Spread (cm): 15 to 20 x 20 to 30
Description: Low, cascading mound of creamy yellow, evergreen, grasslike leaves edged with green; brown flower spikes appear from May to June; Zone 5  
Growing Conditions: Part to full shade; tolerates dry shade; well-drained soil

‘Skinner’s Blue’ fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Skinner’s Blue’)
Height x Spread (cm): 25 to 30 x 30
Description: Low, tufted clumps of fine, turquoise blue foliage; evergreen; Zone 2  
Growing Conditions: Part to full shade; well-drained soil       
      

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