Ornamental Planting Instructions

GRASS

Common Name

Botanical/Cultivar Name

Seeds Per Ounce

Or

Seeding Rate

Ideal Temperature 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.

Big Bluestem

Andropogon gerardii

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; seed needs light for germination.

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 ¼” 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

6 to 8 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 ¼” to ½” deep.

Weeping Lovegrass

Eragrostis curvula

1-3 lb/acre or 1/4 lb/1,000 square feet

After danger of frost.

This seed may be sowed directly outdoors. 

How to Plant Ornamental Grasses

As with any other perennial, success depends greatly on soil preparation before planting and having good drainage. Ideally, the planting areas should be prepared in the fall, beginning with deep tilling of the soil. Fall tillage facilitates freezing and thawing action during the winter, and improves soil tilth and workability. If this is not possible, spring tillage is also satisfactory. Incorporate ample organic matter during the tillage process. 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. 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. Then provide a light cover of straw or hay during the first winter for best results. Apply the mulch after several hard frosts. Plants should be planted no deeper than twice their seed size and should be well watered after planting. Maintaining uniform soil moisture around the plant hastens establishment. Plants planted too deep tend to develop root diseases or simply rot in the ground.

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.