FERNS AND GRASSES:
"Ferns and Grasses are the base and backdrop of every well-planned garden. Some are low maintenance and thrive in just about any location; others won't and require TLC. Making good choices is paramount." Ric Brooks, The Garden Man

Our Ferns and Grasses are listed by genus according to their botanical names. Common names appear beside each. Click on each genus to view a details page that includes photo, plant requirements, care and complete list of the varieties we have available this season.

Ornamental grasses are becoming quite popular with garden designers. They add texture and interest to the garden, and when combined with a gentle breeze, the garden comes to life with sound and motion. The smaller, clump forming grasses are valued as accent plants, while the larger ornamental grasses such as Miscnthus sinensis are useful for their architectural stature, and combine well with evergreen shrubs to create a privacy screen.

The graceful, arching foliage of grasses display rich colors over a long season. Greens and blues are common in the summer, followed by rich, autumnal colors in fall and winter. Most have seedpods, flowerheads or plumes that dry well and last into winter. Leave the seedpods and plumes on the plants to add interest to the garden over winter, or cut them for long-lasting indoor arrangements.

Ornamental grasses need full sun and well-drained soil. They are a good choice for busy gardeners because they require little or no pruning, they are resistant to most insects, and they tolerate drought well. Deciduous grasses are cut back in mid- to late winter to make room for new growth.


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Perennials  
Annuals  
Ferns and Grasses
Edible Plants  

Fern: Adiantum pedatum   Northern Maidenhair Fern
Zone 3-9 Partial Shade/Full Shade Foliage: Light green, lacy
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Fern: Athyrium ffv   Crested Lady Fern
Zone 3-9 Full Sun/Partial Shade/Full Shade Foliage: Soft green, finely cut fronds
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Fern: Athyrium niponicum   Painted Fern
Zone 3-9 Partial Shade/Full Shade Foliage: Metallic green with burgundy veins
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Fern: Dryopteris fm   Male or Wood Fern
Zone 3-9 Full Sun/Partial Shade/Full Shade Foliage: Light green, arching fronds
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Fern: Dryopteris marginalis   Leather or Marginal Wood Fern
Zone 4-9 Partial Shade/Full Shade Foliage: Blue-green leathery fronds
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Fern: Matteuccia struth.   Ostrich Fern
Zone 2 - 7 Partial Shade/Full Shade Foliage: Fern
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Grass: Calamagrostis acutiflora   Feather Reed Grass
Zone 4-9 Full Sun/Partial Shade Foliage: Deep green , shiny leaves
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Grass: Carex morrowii   Japanese Sedge
Zone 4-9 Full Sun/Partial Shade Foliage: Dark green with white borders
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Grass: Festuca glauca   Blue Fescue
Zone 4-8 Full Sun/Partial Shade Foliage: Blue
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Grass: Helicotrichon semp.   Blue Oat Grass
Zone 4 - 9 Full Sun/Partial Shade Foliage: Grey-blue
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Grass: Imperata cyl.   Japanese Blood Grass
Zone 4 - 9 Full Sun Foliage: Red
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Grass: Miscanthus floridulus   Giant Chinese Silver Grass
Zone 4 Full Sun Foliage: Green turning Gold
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Grass: Miscanthus sinensis   Red Flame Grass
Zone 4-9 Full Sun/Partial Shade Foliage: Blue-green
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Grass: Miscanthus sinensis   Maiden Grass
Zone 5-9 Full Sun/Partial Shade Foliage: Silver green turning burgundy
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Grass: Miscanthus sinensis   Zebra Grass
Zone 4-9 Full Sun/Partial Shade Foliage: Green with yellow horizontal stripes
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Grass: Molinia   Moor Grass
Zone 3 - 9 Full Sun/Partial Shade Foliage: Narrow
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Grass: Panicum virgatum   Switch Grass
Zone 3-8 Full Sun/Partial Shade Foliage: Blue/grey
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Grass: Phalaris arundinacea   Ribbon Grass
Zone 4-9 Full Sun/Partial Shade Foliage: Green with white edges
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Grass: Saccharum   Plume Grass
Zone 4-9 Full Sun/Partial Shade Foliage:
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Grass: Sorghastrum nutans   Indian Grass
Zone 3-9 Full Sun Foliage: Blue-green turning gold
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