Grasses

Bulbous Oat Grass
Arrhenatherum bulb. 'Variegatum'
H: up to 16"
W: up to 24"
Full Sun
Zone: 3
Cool Season
This grass gets it's name due to the bulb like appearance near the crown. It has white variegation and prefers to be in at least part sun to maintain it's white and green foliage. Drought tolerant once established
Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass
Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
H: 48' to 60' (with seedhead)
W: up to 30"
Full to Part Sun
Zone: 3
​Cool Season
This is the most popular ornamental grass grown today on the prairies. It emerges early in the Spring and puts up it's beautiful seed heads in late June. It is a fast growing, hardy grass that offers ornamental value in all seasons due to the fact that the dried seed heads can last right into the next Spring. We recommend you wait until Spring to cut back the previous years growth so that you can enjoy the seed heads through the winter. It offers that "prairie look" that people have come to love. It is also a non-invasive, clump forming grass that doesn't spread. It is basically the perfect grass to be used in groupings or mass plantings in the background of your landscape. Tolerant of moist soils.
Avalanche or Overdam Variegated Feather Reed Grass
Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Overdam' & 'Avalanche'
H: 36" to 48" (with seedhead)
W: up to 30"
Full to Part Sun
Zone: 3
Cool Season
A white-variegated version of Karl Foerster. The two cultivars grown that offer this feature are 'Overdam' and 'Avalanche'. They generally aren't as vigorous as Karl Foerster and won't get quite as large but offer a little more colour in the landscape. New growth often has pinkish striping that fades to white. Still produces decorative seedheads that will add winter interest.
Eldorado Variegated Feather Reed Grass
​​Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Overdam' & 'Avalanche'
H: 36" to 48" (with seedhead)
W: up to 30"
Full to Part Sun
Zone: 3
​Cool Season
Yellow variegated feather reed grass. Upright, clump-forming grass just like Karl Foerster but with yellow variegation. Typically not as vigorous and doesn't always reach the maximum height as a Karl Foerster but is hardy and adds some bright colour. 
Blue Wheat Grass
Elymus magellanicus
H: 3'
W: Spreading
Zone 3
Full Sun
​Cool Season
Blue Wheat grass is one of the bluest grasses we can grow in Alberta. The problem is, it can also spread quite rapidly and is hard to contain. There are also other blue grasses available now that offer a more controlled, clumping form which are preferred so it has lost much of it's popularity.
Blue Sheep's Fescue
Festuca ovina glauca - In Variety
H: up to 10" (with seedhead)
W: up to 10"
Full Sun
Zone: 3   
​Cool Season
Small clump-forming grass that spreads by producing small offsets that can be moved or left with original planting. Very drought tolerant but only once established. Monitoring soil moisture is very important for this species. Prefers well drained soil first and foremost but be sure not to let it dry out for too long within the first year or 2 of planting. Will not tolerate standing water or soils that are constantly moist. Avoid over fertilizing (prefers low fertility). Benefits from some protection in winter. Can be a little tricky to get established in our clay based soils but once it is settled it is a maintenance free little grass that will never need to be watered! Looks great planted in groups.
Blue Oat Grass
Helichtotrichon sempervirens - in variety
H: 24" to 36"
W: up to 36"
Full Sun
Zone: 3
Cool Season
Medium sized, clump-forming grass. Non-spreading but may eventually produce offsets that can be relocated or left with the original planting. Produces seedheads above the grassy foliage, giving the plant a firework look. A great alternative to Blue Sheeps Fescue if you've had trouble getting the fescue to establish. Prefers well-drained soil as well but is more tolerant of our clay-based soils, winter winds and exposure. Thrives on neglect and prefers low fertility.
Flame Grass / Purple Maiden Grass 
Miscanthus sinensis 'Purpurescens' & 'Huron Sunrise' - in variety
H: up to 36"
W: up to 36" 
Full Sun to Part Shade
Zone 4
Warm Season 
Less commonly used grass that is gaining in popularity because of its unique ''bottle-brush" seedhead which usually emerges pinkish in colour fading to soft white by winter providing great winter-interest. Relatively soil adaptable, preferring well-draining loam with adequate moisture. Some variability between different cultivars (varieties) in size and colour. Typically foliage turns from deep green to orange-purple in fall with some varieties darker than others. Late to emerge in spring. 
Switch Grass
Panicum virgatum 'Northwind', 'Heavy Metal', 'Blood Brothers', 'Prairie Fire', 'Cardinal' - in Variety
H: up to 40"
W: up to 30"
Full to Part Sun
Zone: 3
Warm Season
Strongly upright clump-forming grass. Noted for strong stems and adaptability. Different varieties offer different foliage colours from green to red. Soil adaptable and drought tolerant once established. Will keep best form and colour in full sun. Emerges later in spring than cool season grasses. Pictured are the varieties Heavy Metal and Prairie Fire
Variegated Ribbon Grass
Phalaris arundinacea 'Strawberries and Cream'
H: up to 24"
W: Spreading
Full Sun to Part Shade
Zone: 3
Cool Season
Vigorous spreading grass with white variegation. Can be aggressive but is a great grass if you are looking to fill in an area. It spreads by underground roots called rhizomes. Very strong white variegation on the foliage so it adds great contrast to any landscape in need of some colour. This grass will tolerate most conditions but just be aware that it is not a grass that will stay in one place.