Grasses & Ground covers

GROUNDCOVERS AND ORNAMENTAL GRASSES

Planted in 1 gallon pots - only $10 each

Planted in 3-4" square pots $7 or 3 for $20

At the nursery each item has a sign with a more complete description + photo of the mature plant.

Photo is from summer 2025, I'll update it soon....

$10 ICE DANCE grows in an arching shape low to the ground, usually about 12 inches high & wide. It thrives in sun to heavy shade, on slopes & steep banks, in clay or sandy soil, also in seasonally wet sites – it grows well just about anywhere! A group quickly fills in bare spaces, preventing erosion and suppressing weeds. Deer resistant and drought tolerant. In Portland it stays evergreen (depending on planting location and the year’s weather). Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’ USDA Zones 5- 9 Planted in 1 gallon pots

$7 or 3 for $20 PERIWINKLE (VINCA) - Delicate ‘periwinkle blue’ flowers are on one of the most popular and widely used groundcovers. Foliage stays about 6 inches high with trailing stems that root as they progress along the ground. These effectively block weeds, cover barren areas, and prevent erosion. Periwinkle is easy care, tolerating almost all conditions including cold climates and full sun or full shade. Drought tolerant, deer and rabbit resistant. Vinca minor Bowles USDA Zones 4-9 (in 2-3 inch square pots)

$10 NATIVE KINNIKINNICK (Massachusetts) is a carefree groundcover that prevents soil erosion and will naturalize rougher areas of your property. It effectively covers any neglected bare areas of your yard - sun, or shade. Kinnikinnick tolerates poor sparse soil, forming a dense mat of evergreen leaves whose stems slowly root along the ground. It drapes beautifully over a rock wall to soften the look, or cascades down and stabilizes a steep slope. In fall it has small scarlet berries, attracting birdlife through the winter. Foliage turns a beautiful bronzy-red during cold winters. It is an easy-care plant growing about 6 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide. It is drought tolerant when established, and deer and rabbit resistant. Evergreen and extremely cold hardy. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 'Massachusetts' Zones 2 – 7 Planted in 1 gallon pots

$10 KARL FORSTER (FEATHER REED GRASS) has early blooming vertical bronze-colored feathery plumes that stay in place all year. When mature it can get up to 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Karl Foerster was the first ornamental grass to receive the Perennial Plant of the Year Award – because of its beauty, long-lasting plumes, and undemanding growing requirements. Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ USDA Zones 3-9 Planted in 1 gallon pots

$15 BLACK MONDO BLACKBEARD has bolder and darker arching grass-like leaves that grow in a mound about 10 to 12 inches tall. It spreads very slowly by underground stems. Black Mondo looks stunning contrasted against light green plants, in pebbles, bark chips, or as a border. It keeps its dark color year-round and in fall there are dark ornamental berries. Black Mondo is deer resistant. Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Blackbeard’ USDA Zones 5-9. Planted in 1 gallon pots.

$7 or 3 for $20 HEN AND CHICKS - SEMPERVIVUM is translated as “Always Living” as they survive harsh conditions and seem to adapt and thrive wherever planted, whether in a tiny crevice or a creative container. They can live for decades, reproducing by creating new little plants around themselves. All varieties develop their best color in sunlight or well-lighted situations. Deer and rabbit resistant. Sempervivum Pekinese USDA Zones 3-8 Planted in 2-3 inch square pots

$7 or 3 for $20 - BLUE STAR CREEPER is available in the sales area today - Full description and sign will be ready soon. Laurentia fluviatilis USDA Zones 5 - 9 Planted in 2 to 3 inch square pots.

THE FOLLOWING GRASSES HAVEN'T YET EMERGED FULLY FROM THEIR WINTER DORMANCY BUT WILL BE FOR SALE IN APRIL.

RED BARON - Upright, bright green blades, with cranberry red on the upper half in summer, deepening to deep burgundy in late fall, and a coppery color in winter. Grows into a dense clump about 12-18 inches tall. Especially dramatic planted in groupings or massed as a border. Excellent for erosion control and filling neglected spaces. Deer and rabbit resistant, drought tolerant. Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’ USDA Zones 5–9 (Only 2 left - pease ask.)

SHENANDOAH (A NATIVE GRASS) Vivid, red-tipped blades rise 4-5 feet tall with dusty-rose colored feathery spikelets mid to late summer. Fits well in a natural landscaping scheme. Easy to maintain, drought tolerant. Handles sandy or clay soil, rabbit and deer resistant. Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ USDA Zones 4-9 (not yet ready for sale)

BLUE SEDGE Perfect for a naturalized garden, an understory plant, groundcover, or border. Tolerates light foot traffic and can be mowed. A small clumping grass 6-10 inches tall. Blades are blue-green on top and blue-grey-silver at the base. Thrives in both sun or shade and wet or dry conditions. Deer and rabbit resistant, drought tolerant. Carex glauca USDA Zones 4–9 (Not yet ready for sale)

EMERALD CARPET (CREEPING RASPBERRY) Textured crinkled leaves on trailing stems quickly make this plant a “carpet” (groundcover). It has tiny edible berries in summer-excellent for a native garden habitat. Leaves turn bronze/red in fall. Drought tolerant, good for weed suppression & erosion control for slopes and banks. Deer and rabbit resistant. Rubus calycinoides ‘Emerald Carpet USDA Zones 6-10 (Only 6 remain - please ask Mary to get them for you)

HAMELN (DWARF FOUNTAIN GRASS) Graceful compact ornamental grass staying under 2-3 feet tall. Foliage changes color every season-Green in spring/summer, bronze in fall, soft blonde in winter. Late summer rust colored flower spikes arch outward like water spraying from a fountain. Drought tolerant. Especially dramatic planted in groupings or as a low border. Pennisetum Alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ USDA Zones 5-9 (Not quite ready for sale.)