What Are Cascading Ornamental Grasses?
By Joanne Marie
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Ornamental grasses come in many sizes, colors and growth patterns. They include plants that are true grasses as well as some that are grass-like, with long thin leaves and a grassy appearance. A versatile group of landscape plants, some grasses are especially attractive because their weeping foliage arches, cascading towards the ground as it grows.
Fountain Grasses
As their name suggests, fountain grasses arch and cascade downward, resembling a fountain. They belong to the genus Pennisetum and come in many sizes and colors. The variety "Hameln" (P. alopecuroides) grows about 2 1/2 feet tall, with deep green leaves that form arching clumps, followed by pinkish-white flowers resembling spikes of wheat. "Rubrum" (P. setaceum) is 3 to 5 feet tall with red or burgundy leaves and purple fluffy, brush-like flowers. The variety "Little Bunny" (P. alopecuroides) is a dwarf plant, only 1 to 1 1/2 feet tall. Like all fountain grasses, it prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun but will tolerate some shade. Fountain grass generally does well in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 5 through 9, although "Rubrum" is best grown in zones 9 to 10.
Shade-Loving Sedges
Sedges are perennial grass-like plants that prefer shade and differ in their colors and growth habits. Several have attractive drooping foliage, including a plant called weeping or drooping sedge (Carex pendula) with dark green, extremely thin leaves cascading to the ground. It forms a weeping mound about 3 feet tall and has thin flower spikes that arch above the foliage. Japanese grass sedge (C. morrowii) only reaches a height of 1 to 1 1/2 feet. The standard variety has green foliage, but the cultivar "Variegata" has silver-to-green variegated foliage Both perform well as a ground cover, especially in shady spots under trees. These sedges are suitable for USDA zones 5 through 9.
Tall Varieties
Some tall ornamental grasses also have a cascading habit, with long, thin, drooping leaves. Many of the tall forms also have dramatic flower stalks reaching well above the grassy clump. Giant Chinese silver grass (Miscanthus giganteus) can reach 10 to 12 feet, growing in USDA zones 5 through 9, its green foliage hanging downward as it reaches its full height. Another tall type, called plume grass (Saccharum ravennae), grows 6 to 12 feet tall, with weeping green foliage and purplish or bronze flowers that extend above the clump. It prefers sun, tolerates drought and urban conditions and grows best in USDA zones 5 through 9.
Unusual Types
Several ornamental grasses with a cascading form are unusual for their color or growth habit. For example, golden Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra "Aureola") offers spectacular, golden-yellow foliage when grown in full sun. Only growing 1 to 1 1/2 feet tall, it's a good choice for the front of a decorative border. Another Japanese grass cultivar called "Nicholas" (H. macra Nicolas) also reaches only 1 to 1 1/2 feet tall, with weeping yellow-green foliage that turns bright orange or red in fall. Both types are suitable for USDA zones 5 through 9. Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) grow from 2 to 5 feet tall with masses of unusually flat, drooping bronze-colored seed heads that hang down in clusters, giving the plant a cascading appearance in USDA zones 3 through 8.
Missouri Botanical Garden: Pennisetum Alopecuroides 'Hameln'
Missouri Botanical Garden: Pennisetum Setaceum 'Rubrum'
Missouri Botanical Garden: Pennisetum Alopecuroides 'Little Bunny'
Floridata: Carex Pendula
Missouri Botanical Garden: Carex morrowii 'Variegata'
Bluestem Nursery: Miscanthus 'Giganteus' -- Giant Chinese Silver Grass
Missouri Botanical Garden: Saccharum Ravennae
Missouri Botanical Garden: Hakonechloa Macra 'Aureola'
Missouri Botanical Garden: Chasmanthium Latifolium
Clemson Cooperative Extension: Ornamental Grasses
Sunnyborder Perennial Collection: Hakonechloa Macra 'Nicolas'
Joanne Marie began writing professionally in 1981. Her work has appeared in health, medical and scientific publications such as Endocrinology and Journal of Cell Biology. She has also published in hobbyist offerings such as The Hobstarand The Bagpiper. Marie is a certified master gardener and has a Ph.D. in anatomy from Temple University School of Medicine.
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