Grasses
Acorus gramineus 'Minimus Aureus'
Dwarf Golden Sweet Flag is a wonderful plant for walkways as well as rain gardens and stream edges, because it is tolerant of foot traffic as well as significant moisture. The evergreen foliage is like tiny thick bladed grass tufts and when crushed, it releases an attractive sweet scent. The tufts slowly expand to make a short yellowish green mat. Although it looks like a grass, Acorus gramineus 'Minimus Aureus' is actually more closely related to the Iris family.
H: 4 Inches · S: 8 Inches · Zone: 5
Acorus gramineus 'Ogon'
'Ogon' Sweet Flag has bright yellow stiffly upright leaves that are a vivid addition to a wet site in the shade. The clumps of Acorus 'Ogon' get larger with age. This Sweet Flag is evergreen so it provides great winter interest. Introduced into the US by Barry Yinger. Per Diane Guidone formerly of Rumson, NJ, Acorus withstood salt inundation in the recent hurricanes really well.
H: 15 Inches · S: 12 Inches · Zone: 5
Andropogon gerardii 'Blackhawks' PP27949
Reddish turkey foot inflorescences in August turn to silvery seedheads in fall. Foliage takes on deep purple hues in August and September. Important food source for song birds in fall and winter.
H: 60 Inches · S: 24 Inches · Zone: 4
Andropogon gerardii 'Red October' PP26283
'Red October' Big Bluestem is an exciting color breakthrough for this tough native grass. The leaves are tipped with burgundy and held on tall upright green stems in summer. The fall the foliage turns a bright scarlet red for several weeks after the first frost. 'Red October' also has red turkey-foot-shaped seed, particularly showy when backlit. The sturdy upright stems are an attractive tan in winter. An important food source for winter birds. Introduced by Intrinsic Perennials.
H: 60 Inches · S: 24 Inches · Zone: 3
Andropogon glomeratus
Warm season grass with silvery pink, fluffy, brush-like inflorescences and following seedheads starting in September and persisting through much of winter into February or March. Strappy blue-green leaf blades turn a nice bronzy-orange in autumn and remain colorful into the winter. Showy seedheads are good for dried or fresh arrangements. Prefers moist to wet soil conditions. Tolerant of black walnut and air pollution.
H: 60 Inches · S: 30 Inches · Zone: 5
Andropogon ternarius 'Black Mountain'
Silver inflorescences on reddish stems in fall follow the blue green summer foliage. Very tolerant of poor soils and dry sites.
H: 36 Inches · S: 18 Inches · Zone: 6
Andropogon virginicus
Broom-sedge or Beardgrass is a tough native grass that adds great beauty to sterile, dry meadows and open fields. The green upright stems take on shades of reddish burgundy in September, as they are coming into flower. The seedheads are an airy silver displayed all along the grass stems, and are particularly stunning when backlit by afternoon light. The fall and winter color of the strong upright stems is a bright ornage tan
H: 36 Inches · S: 24 Inches · Zone: 5