Feather grasses

Muvs Dashwood

I am looking to create a prairie type bed this year and searching for grasses suitable. The Mexican feather grass is the height and look I would prefer but it is described as invasive so I am trying to find another very similar but not invasive. Any suggestions?

Growing conditions: Dry, frost free sheltered garden. Free draining soil close to the coast in South Devon. Will be interplanted with V. Bonariensis, Echinacea and other similar plants. 

Thank you.

Obelixx

I have been looking at prairie plants for a dry border in my new garden.  I don't really want grasses or a prairie so much as the perennials but this article is very informative on planning, prepping and planting a prairie bed and lists some suitable grasses and other plants that won't be too invasive - http://www.prairienursery.com/prairie-nursery/neil-diboll/documents/designing-and-planting-your-prairie-garden.pdf 

Last edited: 23 March 2017 11:29:00

Muvs Dashwood

Thank you

PeggyTX

Blue festuca https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?p=Blue+Festuca&fr=yhs-mozilla-001&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-001&imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brest.sk%2Ffotky3971%2Ffotos%2F_vyrd12_30Festuca-glauca-Elijah-Blue-2.jpg#id=1&iurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brest.sk%2Ffotky3971%2Ffotos%2F_vyrd12_30Festuca-glauca-Elijah-Blue-2.jpg&action=click. and Pink Muhly Grass might be nice.  https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?p=Pink+muhly+Grass+images&ei=UTF-8&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-001. I've ordered some of the Pink Muhly myself but it's not here yet. Very wispy and pretty in a breeze. 

Last edited: 23 March 2017 16:33:20

Muvs Dashwood

Thank you. It's difficult to get the feather look without using Mexican grass. I understand it is also an issue for cats and dogs as the seeds are very abundant and can go in their eyes and respiratory system. 

Andy Leeds

Mexican feather grass = stipa tenuissima?  Didn't realise it was invasive?  I'd be interested in others' thoughts on that!

I've got a few in my garden and love 'em.