ELYMUS CANADENSIS GREEN 

B

60 (120) x 90
Mid-green leaves and arching stems bearing slightly drooping, reddish, bristly flower heads.
ELYMUS MAGELLANICUS   BLUE 

C

30 x 45 Evergreen
The leaves are surely the brightest metallic blue of any plant. Sun.
ELYMUS SOLANDRI   BLUE 

C

10 X (10) X 50 Evergreen
Similar in colour to magellanicus  but almost horizontal in growth habit. Ideal for a scree bed in full sun.
ERAGROSTIS CURVULA   GREEN 

B

75 (100) x 60 Evergreen
Weeping love grass. Arching narrow foliage and large open olive grey seed head in late summer. A warm, sunny spot.
ERAGROSTIS CURVULA 'BURGUNDY BLAZE' GREEN/RED  D
  60 (90) x 60  Evergreen
Similar to above but with attractive burgundy colouring to the leaves as the plant matures.
ERAGROSTIS TRICHODES                                               GREEN 

C

 60(90)x30                                 
Tight clump forming grass with wonderful  upright airy seed heads in mid to late summer.
ERIOPHORUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM  GREEN  B
 30 x 30 Evergreen
Commonly called cotton grass due to the cotton wool effect of the fluffy seed heads. Reddish tints to the foliage in late summer, autumn. A marginal plant that will spread in boggy acidic soil.

ERIOPHORUM VAGINATUM  

 GREEN 

B

30 x 30 Evergreen
Another member of the cotton grass family with the characteristic white fluffy seed heads. Clump-forming in habit.
EQUISETUM HYEMALE 'AFFINE' VARIEG  E
180x100 Evergreen
The vertical green stems of this plant have dark nodes giving it a banded effect, excellent architectural container plant, but will spread if planted out. Prefers cool damp position.

EQUISETUM SCIRPOIDES 

 GREEN 

C

10 x 15 Evergreen
Low growing variety of the common 'horse tail'.  Dark green spikes with black tips make it an unusual container plant especially with a gravel mulch.
FESTUCA AMETHYSTINA    BL/GREEN

B

20 (40) x 30 Evergreen
Dense tufts of bluish-green leaves topped by a good-sized flower panicle.
FESTUCA ESKIA  GREEN 

B

8 (20) x 15  Evergreen
The softest, fine leaves form hummocks of brilliant green.
FESTUCA FILIFORMIS    BL/GREEN  B
25 x 25 Evergreen
One of the taller fescues with very fine bluey green leaves.
FESTUCA GLAUCA ‘AZURIT’   BLUE 

B

25 x 25 Evergreen
The steely blue foliage surpasses all others.
FESTUCA GLAUCA ‘ELIJAH BLUE’   BLUE   B
  22 (30) x 30

Evergreen

One of the best of the Festuca blues.
FESTUCA GLAUCA ‘HARZ’   BL/GREEN  B
 22 (30) x 30 Evergreen
Blue green leaves with purplish tips which give an interesting effect. Purplish flower heads.
FESTUCA GLAUCA ‘SEEIGEL’ (‘SEA URCHIN’) GREEN 

B

  15 (30) x 22  Evergreen
Extremely fine green leaves.
FESTUCA ‘HOGAR’  GREEN 

B

25 (60) x 20
A new variety from Germany with stiff sea green foliage forming an erect clump.
FESTUCA MAIREI    GREY/GREEN

B

60 x 60  Evergreen
Quite different, with longer shiny silvery-green leaves. Most soils in sun.
FESTUCA OVINA ‘SÖHREWALD’   BLUE   B
22 (35) x 30 Evergreen
Similar to COXII
FESTUCA PANICULATA  GREEN 

B

30 (45) x 40  Evergreen
Broader leaved, smooth, mid-green, paler on the reverse. Tidy heads of quite large spikelets.
FESTUCA VALESIACA ‘SILBERSEE’ (‘SILVER SEA’)  BLUE 

B

15 x 20  Evergreen 
The best of the silvery-blues and one of the most dwarf. Good edger.
FESTUCA VIVIPARA  BL/GREEN   B
22 (30) x 30  Evergreen 
A curious grass whose seed is replaced by tiny plantlets which will weigh the stems to the ground.
FESTUCA VIOLACEA  BLUE   B
22 (30) x 20  Evergreen 
A variety from East Europe with blue metallic blue foliage and golden seed heads. Ideal for the rockery
GLYCERIA MAXIMA ‘VARIEGATA’   VARIEG  B
75 (100) x 60
A beautiful grass, cream with green stripes, pink-flushed early on, for any soil or in water, Spreading.
HAKONECHLOA MACRA  GREEN 

C

20 x 30 
The yellow variegated form is most commonly seen but the species is equally worthy of space in a part-shaded spot, forming the same mound of overlapping leaves which become flushed with red in the autumn.
HAKONECHLOA MACRA ‘AUREOLA’  VARIEG 

D

20 x 30 
A grass of class, slowly spreading to form thick mats of broad lax leaves of bright yellow with fine green stripes. Perhaps best in light shade and good soil. Good with blue perennials.
HELICTOTRICHON PRATENSE  BL/GREEN

B

 15 (50) x 25   Evergreen 
Short steely blue green foliage forming quite a dense mat. Seed heads are quite tall in comparison and turning pinky red as they mature.
HELICTOTRICHON SEMPERVIRENS  BLUE

C

 45 (80) x 60   Evergreen 
Steely-blue slightly arching leaves and graceful flower heads. Sun.
HOLCUS MOLLIS ‘ALBOVARIEGATUS’   VARIEG  B
15 (30) x 40  Evergreen 
Lovely tufted, gently creeping grass, almost white in the overall effect of its soft leaves. Carpeter. Can be trimmed regularly.
HORDEUM JUBATUM  GREEN 

B

20 (50) x 30   Evergreen 
Foxtail barley. A host of long straight bristles form gently nodding spikes, green with a reddish tinge.
A great favourite, decorative in the garden or for indoor arrangements.
HYSTRIX PATULA  GREEN

B

 80 (100) x 45 
Bottle brush grass. Upright culms bear erect heads of bristled spikelets remaining into winter. Sun/shade.
IMPERATA CYLINDRICA RUBRA  RED

D

 40 x 30 

Astonishing blood-red leaves are the outstanding feature of this Japanese grass. It forms a gently spreading clump and assorts well with low growing yellow leaved plants such as Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’. Protection from extreme cold is advisable. Good soil.

ISOLEPIS CERNUA  GREEN B
 15 x 30  Semi-evergreen 
A dense clump of bright green thread like stems best described as a miniature fibre optics, prefers a damp situation.
JUNCUS DECIPIENS ‘CURLY WURLY’  GREEN 

B

15 x 30   Evergreen 
Leaves are intriguingly coiled like plastic-coated wire springs. Good to moist soil or in water.

JUNCUS EFFUSUS ‘SPIRALIS’ 

GREEN 

B

45 x 90 

Evergreen 

Corkscrew Rush. Spiralled green leaves, more robust than above.

JUNCUS ENSIFOLIUS  GREEN  B
 40 x 60
A real eye-catching rush when in flower. The dark round purplish brown flower heads contrast markedly with the broad bladed foliage.
JUNCUS XIPHIOIDES  GREEN 

B

60 x 60   Evergreen 
Most unrush-like until the flower heads appear brown becoming reddish. Iris-like leaves have a papery margin giving the appearance of variegation.
KOELERIA CRISTATA GLAUCA  BL/GREEN 

B

15 (30) x 22  Evergreen 
Compact. Leaves shorter than blue fescue’s and broader, more greeny-blue. Better buff flower spikes.

KOELERIA VALLESIANA

 BL/GREEN 

B

15 (30) x 22 

Evergreen 
Slightly flatter leaves but still an excellent clump former particularly in limestone regions. Good erect flower heads.

LAGURUS OVATUS

 GREEN 

B

15 (30) 15

  
Annual grass grown for its unusual seed heads.  Soft flame shaped pom-poms hence the nick name 'rabbit tail grass'.

LEYMUS ARENARIUS

 BLUE

C

 60 (120) x 90 

A native sea-shore plant. Highly ornamental with broad grey-blue leaves on stiff stems. Wheatlike flower heads dry well. Spreading habit on lighter soils.
LUZULA NIVEA  GREEN 

B

30 (50) x 45 Evergreen 
The Snowy Woodrush, with hairy margins. The name derives from the unusual and attractive white flower heads. This and the next varieties are tolerant of sun or dry shade once established.
LUZULA SYLVATICA ‘HOHE TATRA’  Y/GREEN   D
45 x 60 Evergreen 

A wonderful variety with splendid bright yellow leaves in winter. Yellow-green in summer. A winner!

LUZULA SYLVATICA ‘MARGINATA’  VARIEG  B
 45 x 60  Evergreen 
Useful and handsome woodrush, good in difficult situations. Dense clumps of broad, glossy green leaves with a narrow cream margin. Chestnut brown spikelets.
LUZULA SYLVATICA ‘TAGGART’S CREAM’  VARIEG 

D

30 (50) x 40   Evergreen 
Unusual woodrush with the new growth almost totally cream maturing to green as the year unfolds.
LUZULA SYLVATICA ‘TAUERN PASS’  GREEN 

B

25 x 60   Evergreen 
Lower growing and with broader leaves.
MELICA ALTISSIMA ‘ALBA’  GREEN

B

 60 (120) x 60 
The Siberian melica has attractive white and purple forms. In this variety, the soft green leafed foliage is topped by fairly stiff flower stems supporting panicles of showy white spikelets. They can look rather untidy in the border and rely heavily on other plants for support.
MELICA ALTISSIMA ‘ATROPURPUREA’  GREEN 

B

60 (90) x 60 
Each spikelet, hanging from the stem at a 45º angle is a deep purple, maturing paler. Sun or part shade.
MELICA CILIATA  GREEN 

B

45 x 45 
Attractive flower spikes in early summer – fluffy, off white and cylindrical.
MELICA MACRA  GREEN 

B

45 x 45  Evergreen 
Midsummer flower spikes are appealing being creamy-white and papery in texture. Bright green leaves.

MELICA NUTANS 

GREEN 

B

30 x 30 

Nodding or Mountain Melica. Graceful, one-sided heads of sparse beadlike flowers. Rich green foliage.

MELICA UNIFLORA ‘ALBIDA’ 

GREEN 

D

30 x 30 

Similar to Nutans but with striking white flowers.

MELICA UNIFLORA ‘VARIEGATA’ 

VARIEG

D

 22 x 22 

One of the most charming of variegated grasses with white-striped leaves sometimes pink-flushed when young on purplish culms. Forms a loose clump, best in some shade.

MILIUM EFFUSUM ‘AUREUM’ 

YELLOW

B

 40 (60) x 40 

Evergreen 

Bowles 'Golden Grass' is ideal for lighting up shaded areas. Everything about the plant is bright yellow – leaves, stems and the lovely light, airy flower heads.

MISCANTHUS  FLORIDULUS  (GIGANTEUS) GREEN

G

 240 x 60

Often confused with M. sacchariflorus. Very tall but not a rapid sideways spreader. Much used as a screen but best cut down before winter as the leaves can make a mess in the garden. Green leaves, white midrib.

MISCANTHUS NEPALENSIS

 GREEN

G

  60 (150) x 45 

This variety has the most stunning seed heads of the Miscanthus family. Tall slender stems support an inflorescence which can only be described as delicate strands of gold thread.

MISCANTHUS OLIGOSTACHYUS ‘NANUS VARIEGATUS’ 

VARIEG

F

 30 (45) x 45 

Not widely available in the U.K. A loose, spreading clump of yellow-green leaves with narrow white stripes. Pale brownish flower heads in early autumn. Good soil in sun or part shade.

MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘ADAGIO’   GREEN G
100 x 60 
A compact form with narrow grey-green foliage and pink flowers turning white as they mature.
MISCANTHUS SINESIS VAR CONDENSATUS ‘CABARET’   VARIEG  G
150 (210) x 150
A broad-leafed variegated form with a wide band of cream running centrally through the rich green leaves. Pink flowers in late September.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS VAR CONDENSATUS ‘COSMOPOLITAN’ VARIEG   G
150 (240) x 150 Evergreen 

Perhaps the most outstanding of the Miscanthus family with broad leaves, green, margined white. A majestic plant and a must for the larger garden.

MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘CHINA’  GREEN   G
100 (150) x 60   
Arching red flowers in late summer. Not quite as tall as ‘Rotsilber’.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘DIXIELAND’   VARIEG

G

120 x 60 
A delightful dwarf form Miscanthus s. Variegatus with the characteristic green and white striped leaf.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS FERNE OSTEN  GREEN   G
100 (150) x 100
Rich red panicles are some of the first to appear amongst the Miscanthus family.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘FLAMINGO’   GREEN

G

90 (150) x 90 
A more delicate variety with pale purplish pink flowers in late summer.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS 'GOLIATH'  GREEN   G
240 (270) x 120
As the name suggests this is one of the taller varieties with heavy foliage and pink plumes in september.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS GRACILLIMUS  GREEN 

H

100 (150) x 100 
Dark narrow leaves forming dense clumps make this a useful landscaping grass for larger projects. Unfortunately it rarely flowers in the UK.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘GRAZIELLA’   GREEN

G

100 (150) x 1100 
Narrow leaves and tall flower stems give this quite robust variety a more refined line. Silvery flowers.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘GROSSE FONTANE’  GREEN  G
 120 (150) x 90
Very similar to Malepartus in height and early appearance but the flower heads are not quite so rich in colour.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘KASCADE’  GREEN  G
 100 (180) x 100
Aptly named as the pink turning to silver plumes appear in stages giving the effect of a waterfall.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘KLEINE FONTANE’  GREEN 

G

90 (150) x 100 
Narrow green leaves with a median stripe, flowers red-silver in lax plumes in August, turning silver.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘KLEINE SILBERSPINNE’ (‘LITTLE SILVER SPIDER’) GREEN 

G

60 (120) x 60 
Very narrow leaves on a smaller plant, and open spidery flower heads, reddish becoming silvery.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘KRATOR’  GREEN  G
 60 (120) x 60
Excellent autumn colour with narrow foliage flushed plum red.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘MALEPARTUS’  GREEN   G
A strong grower with large leaves on thick stems. Rich pinky-red upright flowers.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘MORNING LIGHT’  VARIEG  

G

100 (120) x 150  
Very narrow upright grey-green leaves with white striped variegation.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘NIPPON’  GREEN  G
 90 (120) x 90
Shorter variety, narrow leaved, with flowers opening a good red and freely borne.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘PUNKTCHEN’   VARIEG

G

90 x 45 
Not well known but often mistaken for mis. sin. ‘Zebrinus’ with cream cross stripes on the leaves. A much smaller plant though.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘PURPURASCENS’  PURPLE 

G

90 x 90 
A strong reddish-purple flush (unusual in the grasses) develops through the summer, peaking in autumn.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘ROTSILBER’  GREEN 

G

100 (150) x 90 
Free-flowering with splayed ‘fingers’ a rich shining red upon opening out.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘SARABANDE’   GREEN

G

45 (100) x 60 
A recent introduction from Germany. A much more slender stemmed variety and ideal for the smaller garden.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘SIOUX’  GREEN

G

 90 (120) x 90 
Truly excellent autumn colouring, with every possible shade of reddy brown captured in the foliage.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘SIRENE’   GREEN

G

100 (180) x 120 
An excellent specimen plant with rich, golden flowers.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘SILVER FEATHER’   GREEN

G

180 (210) x 90 
A must for the larger garden. The majestic silvery brownish pink flower heads in late summer, turn beige and look good throughout winter.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘STRICTUS’   VARIEG G
180 x 60 
Almost identical to the better known 'Zebrinus' but has a much neater habit forming a tight clump even as a mature plant.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘UNDINE’  GREEN 

G

100 (120) x 90 
An excellent selection with flower-heads opening pinkish-red.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘VARIEGATUS’  VARIEG 

G

150 x 90 
A splendid erect specimen with fountain-like strongly white-variegated, slightly pink-margined leaves.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘YAKUSHIMA DWARF’  GREEN

G

 40 (60) x 75 
As the name suggests, a low growing variety. Thin foliage with excellent autumn colouring and pretty flower heads.
MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘ZEBRINUS’ VARIEG

G

  150 x 90 
Mid-green leaves with regular yellow horizontal bands from midsummer.
MISCANTHUS TRANSMORRISONENSIS GREEN 

G

 100 (150) x 100
Narrow dark green leaves (evergreen in mild areas), delicate arching pale pink flowers.
MOLINIA CAERULEA ARUNDINACEA ‘BERGFREUND’  GREEN 

C

60 (180) x 60 
A taller growing sub-species and, when in flower in late summer, quite imposing although the inflorescences are really rather delicate.
MOLINIA CAERULEA ARUNDINACEA ‘FONTANE’  GREEN

C

 80 (180) x 60
The spectacular arching flowers, of which there are many, give rise to its name.
MOLINIA CAERULEA ARUNDINACEA ‘KARL FOERSTER’  GREEN 

C

60 (120) x 60 
Tall, open flower heads of dark purple spikelets.
MOLINIA CAERULEA ARUNDINACEA ‘SKYRACER’  GREEN 

C

100 (240) x 60 
Again, the name provides rather a good clue as to the habit of this particular variety. Very erect flowering stems, the tallest in the Molinia family.
MOLINIA CAERULEA ARUNDINACEA ‘STAEFA’  GREEN

C

 60 (150) x 40 
A new variety from America which flowers readily and the abundant inflorescences are light and airy.
MOLINIA CAERULEA ARUNDINACEA ‘TRANSPARENT’’ GREEN

C

  60 (180) x 60 
Graceful tall stems carry large heads of light airy flowers and seeds. Similar to ‘Bergfreund’ but slightly taller.
MOLINIA CAERULEA ARUNDINACEA ‘WINDSPIEL’ (‘WIND PLAY’)  GREEN

C

60 (200) x 90 
More robust in every sense, with open flower heads on 2 metres culms playing in the wind.
MOLINIA CAERULEA 'CARMARTHEN' VARIEG 

C

20 (60) x 30 
Pale green leaves with creamy yellow stripe and buff coloured flowers.
MOLINIA CAERULEA ‘EDITH DUDSZUS’  GREEN 

B

40 (90) x 30 
A tight clump-forming grass with erect flower heads almost jet black in colour.
MOLINIA CAERULEA ‘HEIDEBRAUT’ (‘HEATHER BRIDE’)   GREEN

B

60 (120) x 30 
Tight, erect straw-coloured stems carry yellowish flowers, then dainty glistening seed heads in autumn.
MOLINIA CAERULEA ‘MOORFLAME’  GREEN   B
40 (90) x 30
Similar to Moorhexe in height and colour, but the flower stems fan out from the centre of the clump.
MOLINIA CAERULEA ‘MOORHEXE (‘BOG WITCH’)  GREEN 

B

40 (90) x 30 
Stiffly erect foliage and needlelike stems bearing dark flowers make a useful accent in a low carpet.
MOLINIA CAERULEA ‘VARIEGATA’  VARIEG 

B

30 (45) x 30 
A most attractive grass forming a neat tuft of conspicuously cream-striped leaves, sometimes pinkish when young, and dying to buff in autumn and winter. Purplish-looking flower heads are a pleasing bonus.
MUHLENBERGIA JAPONICA ‘CREAM DELIGHT’  VARIEG 

B

22 x 90 
Another grass brought to us from Japan and proving totally hardy. White-striped leaf stems start erect but become prostrate as they lengthen creeping through neighbouring plants. Silvery flower heads, late summer.

Main grasses page
Collections of grasses