Grasses,
Rushes and Irises
Spring 2014
Native grasses and other
drought-tolerant grasses. Some of
these can be used instead of the standard lawn.
Carex pansa (California sedge):
Plant
Type: Grass
Light: Full sun coast, partial shade inland
Soil: Sandy
Carex pansa is a species of sedge known by the
common name sand dune sedge. It is native to coast of western North America
from British Columbia to California, where it grows in dunes and other sandy
habitat. Can be planted over large areas and works well between walkway pavers.
Festuca
californica
(California fescue):
Plant Type: Grass
Light: Sun to partial shade
Soil: Adaptable
Water: Drought tolerant to occasional
Bloom Season: Spring/Summer
Natural Habitat: Broadly distributed throughout California
Garden Usage: Dry creek beds, rock gardens, edging, groundcover
California
fescue is a truly beautiful, mid-sized bunch grass native to California
(including San Francisco) & Oregon. It has graceful, fountain-like,
blue-green foliage, grows 2’ tall and is evergreen along the coast. The yellow
showy flower stalks can rise another 2’ above the foliage. A most excellent
groundcover for slopes, it’s easily grown in a variety of soils & grows
well in both sun & part shade. Drought tolerant, though it looks better
with some summer water. It’s good
under oaks and deer resistant!
Festuca glauca ‘Elijah
Blue’ (Common blue fescue)
Plant Type: Grass
Light: Full sun/part sun
Soil: Average well-drained
Water: Drought tolerant
Bloom Season: Summer
Natural Habitat: Europe
Garden Usage: Clumping lawn, accent
Clumping deep sea blue foliage. Use in perennial borders, mass plantings, containers and edgings as well as in rock gardens or troughs. . Spreads by rhizomes. Cool season grower. Cut foliage to the ground in early spring to maintain neat appearance.
Heliantatrichon sempervirens (Blue
oat grass):
Plant Type: Grass
Light: Full sun or
light shade
Soil: Well-drained
Water: Occasional to
moderate
Bloom Season: Summer
Garden Usage: Use as
an accent
Blue oat grass is native to the
western Mediterranean. This bunch
grass is about 1 foot tall. It is
a great accent plant because of its blue color. Partner it with penstemons, artemesia, and black-eyed Susan.
Juncus patens (Common rush):
Plant Type: Evergreen perennial
Light: Sun
to partial shade
Soil: Adaptable
Water:
Moderate to drought tolerant
Natural Habitat: Marshy
places
Garden Usage: Recommended for marshes, pond edges, or wetlands. Good background accent plant. Highly recommended in container.
Common rush prefer wet or moist areas and full sun, but once
established, they are remarkably tolerant of drought and shade. They typically form dense clumps of rigid,
upright to slightly arching stems from 1 to 2 feet tall. It gradually spreads to form large
colonies over time, but its growth rate is primarily dependent upon the amount
of water it receives. Rush’s
strong vertical growth habit effectively contrasts with the rounded forms of
western columbine, alum root, and any of the low-growing species of
ceanothus. It makes an excellent
container plants, and its flowering stems work well as access in floral arrangements.
Muhlenbergia rigens (Deer grass):
Plant Type:
Evergreen perennial grass
Light: Sun to partial shade
Soil: Adaptable
Water: Drought tolerant to moderate
Natural Habitat: Dry or moist places in many
plant communities below 7000 feet; widespread in California
Garden Usage: Plant with large boulders, adds
contrast, ok in large containers
Deer grass is the most cherished species in California’s
vast selection of grasses. Established plants resemble gigantic pincushions and
may reach 5 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide. Single specimens of deer grass are dramatic, and large
drifts are stunning, but crowded plants look pinched, so be sure to allow
enough space when planting. Plant
deer grass with large boulders and coarse-textured foliage for maximum contrast. Showy milkweed, Saint Catherine’s lace
and Pigeon Point coyote brush are excellent companions. Deer grass maintains it striking
appearance throughout the year, and is truly one of the most carefree and
easy-to-grow native grasses.
During fall, you can use a string trimmer to cut the entire clump down
to 3 to 4 inches, and it will come back beautifully season after season.
Sisyrinchium
bellum
(Blue-eyed grass):
Plant Type: Semi-evergreen to deciduous herbaceous perennial
Light: Sun to partial shade
Soil: Adaptable
Water: Infrequent to moderate
Bloom Season: January - June
Natural Habitat: Widespread in many plant communities below 6000 feet
Garden Usage: Meadows, grassland gardens, mixed borders, containers
Blue-eyed grass belongs to the Iris family. A 1 foot tall perennial with 1 inch blue flowers blooming from Jan.-June. It has small, iris-like leaves. It likes full sun and garden water. It also can become very drought tolerant and is summer dormant, which can be delayed with summer irrigation. Blue-eyed grass is useful in meadow and grassland gardens as well as mixed borders. Good companion plants include seaside daisy and dune sedge. Also does well in containers mixed with annual wildflowers or mass it with purple needlegrass and checker-bloom in an informal border. It grows in sand to clay, coastal bluffs to interior grasslands. Cut plants to the ground to remove dried summer foliage. Disease and pest free. You can also divide this plant easily if it becomes too bulky.
Sisyrinchium
californicum
(Yellow-eyed grass):
Plant Type: Semi-evergreen to deciduous herbaceous perennial
Light: Sun to partial shade
Soil: Adaptable
Water: Infrequent to moderate
Bloom Season: January - June
Natural Habitat: Widespread in many plant communities below 6000 feet
Garden Usage: Meadows, grassland gardens, mixed borders, containers
Yellow-eyed grass is found in moist coastal areas, growing 6 inches to 2 feet tall. It has chalky green leaves and bright yellow spring flowers. Yellow-eyed grass is an excellent choice for sun or partial shade in wet, poorly drained areas or regularly watered gardens. Nice as edging or next to a water feature or water faucet for maximum bloom. Foliage darkens in fall & should be cut back. Looks great partnered with blue-eyed grass.