Sheep Fescue¹⁰ Festuca ovina "Glauca"

A clumping grass with soft, tough leaves form blue-gray tufts. Useful ground cover in sunny to partially shaded area, on slopes. Needs little water. Clip to enhance appearance, replant as small divisions.

Plant size: 4-10" height x 1'wide

Deergrass¹² Muhlenbergia rigens

Provides interesting texture contrast, with many erect narrow blades that fan out in vase-shaped foliage, in dense clumps. Stays evergreen without summer water.

Plant size: 1-3' high x 2-3' wide

Purple Needle Grass¹³ Nassella pulchra

A native bunch grass, a good addition to wild garden setting with purplish flowers. Matures in summer to golden yellow, remains dormant until winter rains.

Plant size: 2' high x 2' wide

Giant Wild Rye¹⁶Elymus condensatus

Tall, erect clumping perennial to use in the back of a border garden. Distinct silver blue-gray foliage, bluish flower plumes in summer. Native to San Miguel Island (Channel Islands), found locally in the zone between plant communities.

NOTE: Previously featured selection, Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum) is no longer suggested for local gardens. The California Invasive Plant Council has designated it as an invasive species for our area.

Plant size: 4-8' high x 3-6' wide.

Photo Credit:
10 LVMWD STAFF, 2003
12Charles E. Jones
13Brent Miller
16John Green

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