Carex divulsa

Bamboo is really a giant grass, hence its inclusion in the grass category.  There are two main types of bamboo – clumping and running.  Clumping varieties will increase gradually and not take over the universe.  Bambusa and most Fargesia will do well in this area.  Running bamboos can become very invasive if allowed to do so, but…

Sesleria autumnalis is a meadow grass reaching twelve to eighteen inches with light green foliage. Flowers appear in the spring and fade gracefully throughout the summer.  It tolerates a wide range of conditions.  Sesleria caerulea is low growing to eight inches tall,  The leaves are green on the bottom, silver on top and slightly twisted so that both colors are visible. Flowers are inconspicuous.

Miscanthus transmorrisonensis is a bold, very green grass with striking flowers in late summer. The blades reach three to four feet with flowers reaching five feet. If removing all the spent flowers becomes too overwhelming to tackle, the plant can be cut back to the ground.

Helictotrichon sempervirens (blue oat grass) is a silvery grass growing about eighteen inches with an upright habit.  It looks its best with some afternoon shade in the North County and requires average water.

This native California grass, commonly known as deer grass, can survive with very little water, although it looks best with at least some water.  The Getty Museum in Los Angeles has planted great stands of it.  The flower stems are very tall and it is very effective in masses.  It should be cut back every few years for best…

Stipa arundinacea (now known as Anemanthela lessonia) grows three by three feet in shades of olive and orange. This is a lovely grass for all seasons. A new variety, ‘Sirocco’, is smaller, about eighteen inches, with bright shades of copper and pink in cool weather. Both need full sun or they will revert to green. Both require only minimal water.   Stipa gigantea has…