Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Panicum virgatum

Family: (Poaceae)

(P) to 5′. Switch Grass. Eastern North America. One of the major components of the great tallgrass prairies, and tough and versatile enough for a number of garden uses. The erect, vase-shaped habit, grey-green foliage and profuse, airy flower panicles in late summer recommend it as an accent plant, whilst its intense fall colours of red, orange and golden yellow add broad, dramatic impact when planted in bold sweeps or allowed to naturalize. Sun/partial shade. 4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Sorghastrum nutans

Family: (Poaceae)

(P) to 5′. Indian Grass. Eastern North America. Perhaps one of the most beautiful of all prairie grasses. Sturdy, upright clumps of narrow, green foliage become bright burnished orange in the fall. Erect stems with showy flower panicles are copper coloured with conspicuous yellow pollen sacs. The paired spikelets have distinctive, bristly awns giving them a soft, delicate, feathery quality. Adaptable to a wide variety of uses. Indian Grass will grow in most soils and will even tolerate some shade, though it prefers a rich, loamy soil with plenty of sun. 4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Spodiopogon sibiricus

Family: (Poaceae)

(P) to 4′. Frost Grass. Japan, Korea and China. A clump-forming, upright grass of mountains and forest glades. Similar to a small bamboo in texture, with its thin, flat leaves held nearly at right angles to the stem. Admired for its interesting, bold foliage which develops a reddish purple tinge in autumn. The airy panicles of purple-blushed spikelets are covered with fine hairs giving an overall “frosted” appearance. The mature flowerheads remain persistent and showy through winter. Blooms from July through August. Moist soil. Sun/partial shade. 4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Amaranthus hybridus var. erythrostachys

Family: (Amaranthaceae)

(A) to 5′.  Peruvian Tassel Flower.  Many branched panicles of crimson, tassel-like flowers accentuated by the deep maroon foliage of this plant, creates drama in the border.  Sun.  3 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Mirabilis jalapa ‘Limelight’

Family: (Nyctaginaceae)

(A/TP) to 3′.  Four o’Clock, Marvel of Peru.  Delicate trumpets of shocking pink are accentuated by the astonishing, bright chartreuse foliage.  A show-stopper.  Sunglasses de rigueur!  Sun/partial shade. 4 & T3