Grasses for Moderately Moist to Moist Gardens
Grasses from many parts of the world are commonly used in American gardens. Many of these are from the moist climates of Asia and Europe and must be amply watered. Some natives such as switch grass (Panicum virgatum) also require regular irrigation in semiarid climates.
Among the most widely used Asian grass introductions are the Maiden grasses (Miscanthus species) and their many varieties. Some, such as variegated Japanese silver grass, have been grown in America for a century and are still very popular. Miscanthus are noted for their silky flower tassels that persist into winter. New varieties have been bred for flowers that emerge well above the foliage, earlier flowering, and plants that don’t fall over. One of the newer varieties, ‘Morning Light’ is rapidly gaining in popularity.
Newer varieties of other grasses continue to be introduced. An example is ‘Northern Lights’ tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa), a non-flowering variety with cream white and pink variegated leaves.
 Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’) has a wheat-like look that makes it one of the showiest and most popular grasses. It grows in upright clumps lending a vertical accent. The straight, greenish flower spikes form in May to June, turn golden, then bleach tan and persist into the winter.
Grasses in this group notable for their shade tolerance include (pictured at right) Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium), tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) and Korean feather reed grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha).
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