Identification: Grasses at Seattle Public Library

Discussion in 'Outdoor Gardening in the Pacific Northwest' started by Edgeworth2, Sep 25, 2011.

  1. Edgeworth2

    Edgeworth2 Member

    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    vancouver,bc
    I am trying to identify these ornamental grasses from the Seattle Public Library. I have attached photos from my recent (early sept) visit.

    grass 1: wide flat (almost fleshy) blades, slight variegation at margins, not flowering
    grass 2: narrow and thin blades, soft edges, lies flat in many areas, spike inflorescent
    grass 3: thin blades with very sharp edges, floppy, not in flower (in foreground of photo- not black mondo grass)

    Thanks!
     

    Attached Files:

  2. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    4,776
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    Grass 3 looks like Cortaderia of some sort - inflorescences will help that ID immensely.
     
  3. Edgeworth2

    Edgeworth2 Member

    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    vancouver,bc
    Thanks for the reply. I agree it looks like some kind of cortaderia, but I took that photo a couple of weeks ago and there wasn't a single inflorescent of dried seed head. I have attached a few more photos for scale and growth habit.

    The edges of the blades are very sharp. it is sort of floppy/flat and had zero evidence of flower or seed head. Maybe pennisetum velosum?

    I believe I have identified the first two:

    grass 1 Carex morrowii
    grass 2 Sesleria autumnalis
     

    Attached Files:

  4. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    4,776
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    Maybe. Consciencious landscapers in your area are normally quite vigilant about deadheading Cortaderia, simply because if they don't it can go invasive very very quickly. Personally, I grow it for the seed heads. Then again, I also live within its native range.
     
  5. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

    Messages:
    21,279
    Likes Received:
    793
    Location:
    WA USA (Z8)
    I see no Cortaderia in these pictures. The one with the black mondo grass might be a sedge. Have you asked at the library if they have any information about the design?
     

Share This Page