The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-12
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES.

Ornamental grasses are valuable for
winter decoration and work in we'll
with everlasting flowers. Grasses do
not retain their color as the flowers
do. In Europe grasses are grown cN-
tensively and dyed various colors and
are imported in this condition aud
many are very beautiful. especially
Stipa pennata. Even in their natural
| state the grasses arc useful. When
worked up judiciously with evcrlasi-
ing and sometimes with fresh How
ers the grasses. both natural and col
orcd. looked well. but they must not
be used lavishly.
Grasses should be cut about the time
OF Towering. tied UP in small punches
and dried in the shade. Those that
flower the second year, like Stipa and
Bromus. must be marked or they VIII
bc destroyed for weeds, as they look
like common grass. They are hardy
and endure the winter as well as any
OF our native wild grasses.
Agrostis nebulosa, or cloud grass, is
an airy. graceful annual grass. about
~ iiANii'f '''' ''"N' 'fF
, mist when IN bloom; good for mixing
with fresh flowers. To dry ;hls grass
Il should be cut shortly before the
seed ripcns, lied up in small punches
and dried in the shade. Tho seed
should be sown in April or May and
lightly covered.
' Briza maxima is the well known
:. shaking grass. really one of the most
valuable OF ornamental grasses, grow
ing from IL to Is inches high. The
seed may la sown IN good garden soil
as soon as the ground a he worked
COX lachrymI. or jobs tears. has
broad, corniike leaves and shining
pearly seed. The seeds require heat
20 start termination. They should h,
treated as ANIMALS. sowing the Sc,,l
in pots or boxes in the rrccuhuu,".
conservatory or hot bed in the early
spring. setting the plants out after
danger of frost has passed. Iic.gA;
TWO TO four feet.
Erianthus raNennp ~ n perennial
grass. perfectly hardy and the best
tall grass for a northern climate. much
better than pampas grass. which Z re-
semhlcs. l.rianthus flowers in Eng
land only In very warm seasons, bat
IN America It flowers regularly as far
north as Rochester. y. Y, and stands
the cold winters there without injury.
Tn" Towering tens grow six feet
high. Plants can be obtained from
florists and are prorasated by division
OF the roots.
Gynerium argentuin, or pampas
grass. is a perennial. blooming the soc
md SEASON from seeds. which should
be treated as directed for cox. Plants
can be purchased OF nurserymen and
florists. As far north as New York
city this requires good win'-- pro-
lection. Plants six feet or more I'm
height.
feather grass. Il IS "A p",rr.nIAl rnu
cr!ng tn" second season and grow re
about two feet high. prnuAs.'.I D,
division IN the spr ny or by seed. suwn
In shallow boxes OF light SOL IN a tom.
pcratur" Of about 60 degrees. suisse
qu"ntly hardening or the seedlings r,y
planting out IN May or June. or .rp
seeds may he own IN light sol N tl,
garden in April.
Cnioia ~latifoli, or spike grass. thre,
10 four feet high with
graceful dropping panirlcs hear!rc
large i'at;rncd sp.kel.ts. When swell
established this !s q beautiful ouI...
/, tn.o!I ~paniculatd Is "A tender v..rlri,
which VIII grow We'll on tho sand a..
the ~scdShore. having oatl!kr cluster.
when are very ornamental Whom
dried.
cut the grasses before The flower,
open. t.e up in little lunches and hai.
them in tn" shade. When sufficiently
dry. pack them away out of tine dust
Somewhat of a variety may hc ul.
tanned by cutting grasses At dir,r,n,
stages of growth.
Other ornamental grasses t>efu' ~,
bedding include prunisctum lor...
stylrm, with graceful crcpniSh Whit.
p4uin"s. an annual glowing about tvs
t,ct high. The flower spikes borne on
slender stems ara from four 10 sis
inches long, Of s.ng.lsA twisted form
and eiNcloped in a ! .p,ish feather,
Gown. II Is uscfu. fl.' Cuit.u.. as :,
.aH's a long time. easily raised from
seed. %Japonicum j. "A perennial ,a.
r!ctv easily grown from seed. T. 4.
taller than .ou-.atylum. With Ion.
narrow leaves ANA "A dcl.e roam,
spike. Ru"pp",,tnum, or purpl. futir.
tain grass, has graceful green fu,jtc,
and plirplish p,unes. Valuable as N
edginr for beds OF 'anuas or other tai
plants. An annual, three feet hfeb
easily grown from seeds.