How2Day: Big Ornamental Grass

Porcupine grass has a distinctive yellow and green pattern. Nancy Nehring/Photodisc/Getty Images
Ornamental grasses range in size from less than 1 foot high to specimens as tall as trees. The tall ornamental grasses often are used as an alternative to shrubs and trees for screening. They provide year-round interest in the landscape and, once established, are easy to maintain. Most just need a quick pruning in early spring to promote new growth. These drought-resistant perennials also are pest free.

Porcupine grass (Miscanthus sinensis Strictus) grows up to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide. This striking perennial grass has yellow horizontal bands on its green leaves. In fall, copper colored plumes rise about 1 foot above the upright clump and gradually turn white. Its height makes it suitable for screening, as a back border or as a colorful accent plant. Porcupine grass is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 5 through 9 and thrives in full sun.

Variegated eulalia (Miscanthus sinensis Variegatus) forms a 6-foot-tall clump that grows about 4 feet wide. A white stripe runs down the center of each green leaf. In mid-fall, magenta plumes top the tall upright clump. Variegated eulalia often is used as a screen, back border or accent plant. Hardy in zones 5 through 9, this tall grass grows in full sun to partial shade.

Black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) can reach heights of up to 20 feet and grow to 15 feet wide. If not contained, this striking perennial can form its own forest. Black bamboo has a sculptural quality with its delicate thin leaves and thick stem joints that blacken with age. It grows in zones 7 through 11 in full sun. "The Book of Outdoor Gardening'' suggests placing black bamboo where it can be spectacularly backlit by the rising or setting sun.

How2Day