September 27, 2010
little bluestem schizachyrium scoparium wisconsin native grass ftimg

PLANT PROFILE:
Little Bluestem

Little Bluestem is a Wisconsin native clump-forming grass blue-green foliage. In fall the foliage changes to a flaming orange or striking red, topped by fluffy silver seed stalks. Great for massing or naturalizing.
September 27, 2010
native bluegrass poa palustris wisconsin grasses ftimg

PLANT PROFILE:
Marsh Bluegrass

Marsh Bluegrass is a moisture soil-loving native grass. Find it growing in dense woodland situations in deep shade, where it forms clumps of bright green foliage.
September 27, 2010
pennsylvania sedge carex pensylvanica wisconsin native grass ftimg

PLANT PROFILE:
Pennsylvania Sedge

Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica Description & Overview Those of us contending with the shadier portions of our gardens may sometimes feel that we don’t have enough choices, particularly when it comes to ornamental grasses. But there is light at the end of the tunnel! While many types of grass typically […]
August 18, 2010
grays morning star sedge carex grayii ftimg

PLANT PROFILE:
Gray’s (Morning Star) Sedge

Gray’s (Morning Star) Sedge Carex grayii Description & Overview Gray Sedge is a Wisconsin native broad-leafed grass with arching leaves growing up to two feet tall. It forms a tight clump up to a foot and a half across at the base. Living up to its name, Morning Star Sedge […]
March 22, 2010
big bluestem andropogon gerardii ftimg

PLANT PROFILE:
Big Bluestem

Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii Description & Overview A monarch of the native prairie grasses! Big Bluestem forms large clumps with blue-green to silvery-blue foliage that changes to attractive shades of bronze and reddish-copper with the first frost. In late August purplish flower spikes emerge producing distinctive three-parted seed heads. A […]
February 17, 2010
bottlebrush grass hystix patula ftimg

PLANT PROFILE:
Bottlebrush Grass

Bottlebrush Grass is a Wisconsin native ornamental grass with exquisite bristly flower heads resembling bottlebrushes. Blooming above dark olive-green foliage from June through August, Bottlebrush Grass is a good option under trees where most turf grasses fail. In addition to adding winter interest, foliage provides cover for birds as well as seeds.
January 31, 2010
prairie dropseed sporobolus heterolepis ftimg

PLANT PROFILE:
Prairie Dropseed Grass

Prairie Dropseed is a warm season, clump-forming Wisconsin native prairie grass. It has emerald-green foliage with airy, popcorn scented seed heads.
September 27, 2000
eastern star sedge carex radiata wisconsin native grass ftimg

PLANT PROFILE:
Eastern Star Sedge

Coming soon! We’re currently writing the plant profile for Eastern Star Sedge. Please check back later.
February 16, 2000
indian grass orghastrum nutans ftimg

PLANT PROFILE:
Indian Grass

Indian Grass is a resilient and striking Wisconsin native ornamental grass with tall, silvery blue-green leaves. Foliage turns a vibrant orange-yellow in fall, followed by light brown feathery flowers that provide cover and seed to birds and mammals. An excellent option for tough areas, Indian Grass is drought, erosion, and air pollution tolerant.
January 28, 2000
northern sea oats chasmanthium latifolium ftimg

PLANT PROFILE:
Northern Sea Oats

Northern Sea Oats, a native Wisconsin perennial grass, features jewel-like flat seed heads that dance when the wind blows. Bamboo-like foliage changes from green in spring, to copper in autumn, to brown in winter. The seeds of Northern Sea Oats persist through winter and are an important food source for wildlife.
January 28, 2000
fox sedge carex vupinoidea ftimg

PLANT PROFILE:
Fox Sedge

Fox Sedge is a native Wisconsin perennial grass noted for its mounds of arching glossy foliage. Seed heads radiate out from the center of the clump, similar to a foxtail. Fox Sedge can be competitive and is best planted in large areas where groundcover is desired or erosion control is needed.
January 28, 2000
long-beaked sedge carex sprengelli ftimg

PLANT PROFILE:
Long-beaked Sedge

Long-beaked Sedge is a perennial native Wisconsin grass with bright green, narrow-bladed foliage and drooping greenish-brown seed heads that form long beaks. Loose tufts colonize if given room to spread, making an excellent low-growing groundcover in shady areas. Nodding seed heads provide food and cover for birds and wildlife.
January 28, 2000
bristleleaf sedge carex eburnea ftimg

PLANT PROFILE:
Bristleleaf Sedge

Bristleleaf Sedge, a perennial Wisconsin native grass, makes an excellent groundcover or alternative to a traditional lawn. Featuring fine-textured, needle-shaped foliage and inconspicuous blooms in spring, Bristleleaf Sedge is a first-rate option for shady areas.
January 27, 2000
common wood sedge carex blanda ftimg

PLANT PROFILE:
Common Wood Sedge

Common Wood Sedge is a perennial native Wisconsin grass that makes an excellent low-growing groundcover. When nestled among tall wildflowers, lime green shiny leaves hold white whitish-green flowers in spring followed by seed heads in fall. Common Wood Sedge has an interesting texture all season long and is an important food source for birds and insects.
January 27, 2000
bicknell's sedge carex bicknellii ftimg

PLANT PROFILE:
Bicknell’s Sedge

Bicknell's Sedge is a perennial native Wisconsin grass that grows in either dry upland or wet river bottom prairies, making it a versatile option. Unique, star-shaped flowering heads tower over foliage, growing upwards of 3 feet in height. Bicknell's Sedge emerges green in May, turning coppery-brown in fall, providing excellent winter interest.
January 3, 2000
muskingum palm sedge carex muskingumensis ftimg

PLANT PROFILE:
Muskingum (Palm) Sedge

Muskingum (Palm) Sedge is an ornamental grass native to Wisconsin, noted for resembling feathery palms of bright green leaves. A boon for wildlife, many caterpillars of several moths, skippers, and butterflies feed on the foliage while birds and mammals eat the seeds.
January 3, 2000
plains oval sedge carex brevior ftimg

PLANT PROFILE:
Plains Oval Sedge

Plains Oval Sedge is a low-growing Wisconsin native ornamental grass with small green spikes that turn reddish-brown in summer. Very adaptable from dry and rocky to wetland sites, Plains Oval Sedge is pest resistant and unpalatable to deer and rabbits.