Warm-season grasses are more productive in growth during summer and are now hitting their stride in the quarry and in the habitat gardens. Taller stalks and blooms (yes, grasses bloom!) lend dramatic backdrop to fall wildflowers, and the seeds feed the birds moving through along their migration paths. To mimic the scenes in your habitat garden, plant cool-season Cherokee sedge (Carex cherokeensis) and warm-season purple lovegrass (Eragrotis spectabilis) and pink muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris) in front and edges of borders and beds for seasonal enjoyment. Drop in little bluestem (Schizachryium scoparium) to fill in between flowers and for sculptural interest, and plant switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) as a backdrop or for center height. Longleaf woodoats (Chasmanthium sessiliflorum) are beautiful planted en masse in a shady woodland garden. They will naturally self sow and fill in nicely even if you only start with a few. And river oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) are perfect for rain gardens or low-lying areas. We’ll have all of these plants available for the upcoming Native Plant Sale.
