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Ornamental Planting Instructions

Ornamental Grass Maintenance and Planting Guide

How to Plant Ornamental Grasses

As with any other perennial, success depends greatly on soil preparation before planting and having good drainage. Ensure the area you are planting is weed free and has good, organic soil. Ornamental grasses do not require high amounts of fertilizer. Adding about one pound of a general-purpose fertilizer (like 10-10-10) during soil preparation per 100 sq. ft. of planting bed should be sufficient. Ornamental grasses can be planted in the spring or the fall (six weeks before frost). The advantage of spring planting is to give the plants adequate time to develop a good root system before winter. Fall planting is often not as reliable without some additional precautions, particularly in years with early or severe winters. You should try to complete fall planting during August and September. Ornamental grass seeds should be planted no deeper than twice their seed size and should be well watered after planting. Try to keep seed moist after planting as much as possible so the area does not dry out in between waterings. This may mean watering two or three times a day for brief periods. Maintaining uniform soil moisture around the plant hastens establishment.

For planting in pots:

Sow seed directly into a small pot filled with quality potting soil. Lightly cover seed with additional soil. Keep seed moist and temperature consistently above 65. Water soluble fertilizers may be used on seedlings. Transplant seedlings to larger pots as needed. Acclimate the grass to the outdoors by placing them outside for a few hours each day, increasing their time for 3-4 days before transplanting outdoors.

GRASS Common Name Botanical/Cultivar Name Seeds Per Ounce
Or Seeding Rate		 Ideal Temp.
for Germination		 Special Planting Instructions
Black Flower Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Virdescens'   75°-80° F Cover seed lightly, provide bottom heat, seed will germinate quickly under these conditions.
BigBluestem Andropogon gerardii 20 to 25lbs/acre or 1 lb/1000 square feet After danger of frost. This seed may be sowed directly outdoors. Soak seed in water for 24 hours; sow 1/16" deep; tamp the soil.
Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium 20 to 25 lbs/acre or 1 lb/1000 square feet After danger of frost. This seed may be sowed directly outdoors. Soak seed in water for 24 hours; sow 1/16" deep; tamp the soil.
Blue-Eyed Grass Sisyrinchium bellum 19,000/ounce 68°-70° F See general instructions.
Blue Fescue Grass Festuca glauca 25,000/ounce 75°-83° F Before sowing, refrigerate seed for 5 days and then soak seed in warm water for 3 days. Sow thickly to form larger plugs. SLOW GERMINATION. 6 weeks.
Blue Hair Grass Koeleria glauca   66°-72° F Do not cover the seed; press seed lightly into the soil.
Carex/Sedge Grass Carex Muskingumensis Carex Comons   66°-72° F Seed needs light and moisture. Germination rate can be enhanced by wet pre-chilling in mix of water and sphagnum moss at 30° F for 30 days.
Feathertop Grass Pennisetum villosum 14,000/ounce 75°-80° F Cover seed lightly, provide bottom heat, seed will germinate quickly under these conditions.
Fountain Grass Pennisetum sefaceum 14,000/ounce 75°-80° F Cover seed lightly, provide bottom heat, seed will germinate quickly under these conditions.
Hair Grass, Tufted Deschampsia cespitosa     Do not cover the seed; press seed lightly into the soil. Germination may be slow.
Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans 10 lbs/acre or 1/2 lb per 1,000 square feet After danger of frost. This seed may be sowed directly outdoors. Before sowing, soak seed for 24 hours; sow 1/4" deep and keep moist.
Miscanthus Miscanthus sinensis 75,000/ounce 75°-83° F Before sowing, refrigerate seed for 5 days and then soak seed in warm water for 3 days. Sow thickly to form larger plugs.
Pampas Cortaderia 112,000/ounce 75°-83° F Sow seeds on the surface and do not cover. Cover the pot with plastic wrap to increase humidity. Keep seed moist.
Plume Grass Erianthus Ravennae   66°-72° F Do not cover the seed; press seed lightly into the soil.
Quaking Grass Briza Media 40,000/ounce 75 °-83° F Before sowing, refrigerate seed for 5 days and then soak seed in warm water for 3 days. Sow thickly to form larger plugs.
Reed Canary Phalaris arundinacea lbs/acre or 1/2 lb/1000 square feet After danger of frost. This seed may be sowed directly outdoors.
Ruby Grass Rhynchelytrum Repens 100,000/ounce 75°-83° F Before sowing, refrigerate seed for 5 days and then soak seed in warm water for 3 days. Sow thickly to form larger plugs.
Stipa-Feathergrass Stipa pennata 70,000/ounce 75°-80° F See general instructions.
Switch Grass Panicum virgatum 5 - 10 lbs/acre or 1/4 to 1/2 lb/1000 square feet After danger of frost. This seed may be sowed directly outdoors. Before sowing, soak seed in water for 24 hours; sow 1/4" to 1/2" deep.
Weeping Lovegrass Eragrostis curvular 1-3 lb/acre or 1/4 lb/1,000 square feet After danger of frost. This seed may be sowed directly outdoors.

For credit information please go to http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/grasses/credits.html