Friday, January 08, 2010

Snow Duty

As I shoveled along the side of my house this am, I noticed my Miscanthus Udine (I could only find this on the internet) trying to stand upright in the raised planter bed.  Each year I debate whether or not to cut it down before winter.  I should have cut it down, looks really bad, doesn't hold up well under snow.  Very few varities of the taller grasses do well once the snow hits.  One that does do well all through the winter is Panicum "Northwind."  You can see "Northwind" at  http://www.hostas.com/  It pops back up even after the heaviest snows.  Come March it is ready to cut down, but you have this lovely upright grass all fall and winter ( tan color).

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was able to find Northwind at Home Depot one year. It is not a sure bet, but if you are willing to take a chance, Home Depot often gets in many sought after plants. Northwind is one of my favorite grasses! I think that it was discovered in Wisconsin?

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Northwind is named after Northwind Perennial Farm in Wisconsin (near Lake Geneva). The grass was found several years ago on the property. This is a great field trip if you love gardening.

Gatsbys Gardens