Panic Grass (Panicum violaceum) - If you enjoy adding ornamental grasses to your indoor arrangements, grow Panic Grass seeds, and add this lovely annual grass to your cutting garden collection. Sometimes referred to as Violet Panic Grass, this annual is very attractive with purplish-green, pendulous flower-heads. The wispy, draping flowers are very useful for the flower arranger, and are often seen in arrangements. It can also be grown directly outdoors and is a very drought tolerant plant for an xeriscape garden where water conservation is required.

Start Panicum violaceum seeds indoors in the late winter for transplanting out once frost danger has passed. The germination for Panic Grass seeds can be erratic, so many gardeners prefer starting the ornamental grass seeds indoors and creating little plugs. For those who prefer direct sowing, prepare a seedbed that receives full sun, and place the seeds in fine soil. Lightly cover the Violet Panic Grass seeds with soil and keep them moist until germination occurs. This ornamental grass is a millet, and birds enjoy the dried seeds.

Excellent Landscape Grass

How To Grow

Seed alone at a rate of 3 to 5 pounds per acre. This variety prefers light-textured soils that are well-drained, and tolerates a pH of anywhere from 4.5 - 8.5. This seed is extremely fine: is using a broadcast seeder, mix the seed with a carrier such as cornmeal, sand, or fine sawdust. This allows for uniform distribution of seed. Do not cover seed with more than 1/4 inch of soil. Plant in an area of full sun or partial shade anytime after danger of frost has passed. Seeds will germinate quickly (12 - 21 days) and plant establishment is rapid.

• Moisture: keep seeds moist until germination
• Planting depth: 1/4 inch
• Soil: light-textured and well-drained with pH 4.5-8.5

Plant Information

Weeping lovegrass is an extremely drought-tolerant ornamental grass that looks lovely in the landscape. It is a long-lived perennial that grows in USDA zones 6 through 10. It is a native of southern Africa, and is also referred to by the names African lovegrass, Catalina lovegrass, Boer lovegrass, and curved lovegrass.

• Foliage color: green
• Fall color: tan
• Environment: full sun to partial shade

Weeping Lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) - A rapidly growing warm-season bunchgrass with narrow leaves emerging from a tight tuft with the tips almost touching the ground. The drooping leaf characteristic gives rise to the name "weeping" lovegrass. The plant itself rarely reaches above 12 inches; however, the seed heads reach a height of 30 to 40 inches and contain numerous small, fine seeds.

Weeping lovegrass is used as a temporary cover for erosion control purposes. It prefers a light-textured, welldrained soil, and will thrive on soils of low fertility. Climatic conditions determine its range of adaptation. Low winter temperatures will prevent regrowth and cause the grass to act as an annual or a short-lived perennial. Weeping lovegrass is distributed throughout the southern United States for erosion control and forage. Weeping lovegrass when fertilized properly will have good forage quality unless seedhead formation is allowed, upon which palatability declines rapidly.

Weeping lovegrass is easy to establish by seed. Seed alone at a rate of 3 to 5 pounds per acre. Seeds will germinate quickly and plant growth is rapid. The seed is extremely fine; therefore, if using a broadcast seeder, the lovegrass seed should be mixed with a carrier such as: cornmeal, sand, or fine sawdust for uniform distribution of seed. Do not cover seed more than 1/4 inch.  Normally, weeping lovegrass can be planted after danger of severe frost is over, and anytime throughout the summer with success as long as irrigation is possible.

There are 1,500,000 seeds per pound.

Cloud Grass

How to Grow

Sow Cloud Grass seeds indoors 4 - 6 weeks before you plan to plant them outdoors. Surface sow seeds in soil. Or direct sow outdoors in early spring once the soil is cool and a light frost is possible. You can also plant seeds in the late autumn. If you do not wish your Cloud Grass to self-seed, cut the stems for drying before the seeds are set.

• Sowing Rate: 4 - 5 seeds per plant
• Depth: Surface sow seed
• Average Germ Time: 7 - 10 days
• Moisture: Keep seeds continually moist until germination
• Plant Spacing: 12 inches

Grass Specifications

The flower stems are fantastic when dried and often will last for months. Hang upside-down in an airy, dark space until dried fully.

• Height: 18 inches
• Width: 12 inches
• USDA Zones: 3 - 10

Agrostis Nebulous (Cloud Grass) - Cloud Grass, a species of bentgrass, forms a hazy mist in late summer when its delicate, tiny flowers spread out in all directions. This plant is often cultivated for its light delicate heads that are used dried in floristry and is also drought tolerant.

The airy seed-heads resemble clouds or sea foam which make a great addition to any xeriscape flower garden. The ornamental grass has its best display when next to course textured plants or along fence lines. Agrostis nebulosa is very useful to fill in those difficult transitions in the garden. When Cloud Grass is fully mature, it reaches approximately18 inches tall & 12 inches wide blooming all summer long. Native to Portugal & Spain, but will grow in the U.S. in USDA Zones 3 - 10 as an annual ornamental grass. The flowers are great for fresh or dried bouquet and will turn tan as the seed-heads head in to Fall.

Unique Foliage Plant

How to Grow

It is recommended to start these seeds indoors before transplanting outdoors. To do so, first soak the seeds in water overnight to prep them. Then sow into peat pots at a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Sow 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost. Sow 2-3 seeds per plant, and keep them moist but not wet until germination. Under proper conditions, germination will occur in 2-4 weeks. Once seedlings are established, they can be transplanted directly outdoors if temperatures are staying above 45F degrees. Plant in rich, well-draining soil and water regularly.

• Environment: full sun to partial shade
• Soil: well-drained w' pH 6.1-7.8
• Sowing rate: 2-3 seeds per plant

Plant Specifications

Coix (commonly known as Job's Tears) is a perennial decorative grass that grows in USDA zones 9 through 10. It is most well-known for producing seeds that are natural beads which have been used in jewelry making for centuries.

• Foliage color: green
• Plant height: 36-48 inches
• Plant width: 24 inches

Job's Tears (Coix Lacryma-jobi) - For an interesting ornamental grass, try starting Cois seeds and enjoy this attractive grass that is known for its seeds. Commonly called Job's Tears grass, Coix is a perennial grass only in climate zones 9 and 10, and it is grown as an annual in the cooler zones. Ornamental grasses provide their own unique beauty to the landscape and Job's Tears is no exception with its slender, ribbon-like leaves and spikes of teardrop-like seeds. The plant is well known for the seeds that are natural beads and have been used for centuries to create jewelry and rosaries. Coix grass is native to Asia and is found along roadsides as well as cultivated for the grain that is edible and used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Grow these ornamental grass seeds and experience first hand the beauty and uniqueness of this Coix plant!

Monkey Grass (Liriope muscari) - If you need a decorative border or edging plant, start Monkey Grass seeds, and enjoy this popular ornamental grass plant. Also known as Lily Turf, this ornamental grass has evergreen foliage and violet blue flower spikes during the summer. Monkey Grass is an excellent ground cover for xeriscape landscapes, and it works nicely for container use as well.

How To Grow Monkey Grass From Ornamental Grass Seeds: Start Lily Turf seeds indoors in the early spring. Use small pots filled with seed starting mix. Place the ornamental grass seeds onto the soil and cover 1/4 inch with sand or soil and keep the seeds moist. place the seeds in the pots in your refrigerator until germination occurs Transplant outdoors once soil temperatures have warmed and frost danger has passed. Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. For a neat appearance, remove old foliage from Liriope muscari before new leaves emerge. Divide Monkey Grass clumps every 2 to 3 years in early spring. Mow in early spring to remove old foliage. Lilyturf will tolerate drier conditions once established.

Bright House Plant

How to Grow

If growing this plant for your cats, use shallow containers that are less likely to be tipped over (you know your cat will try it!). Fill the containers with soil, and lightly broadcast seeds across the top. Cover the seeds with no more than 1/8 inch of soil. Keep seeds moist until germination. Place container in a sunny window. For use as an ornamental grass, start the Cat Grass seeds in pots. The grass can be transplanted into annual color pots and will reach nearly 24 inches in height.

• Environment: full sun to partial shade
• Soil: loam to clay w' broad pH range
• Sowing rate: ~100 seeds per small pot

Plant Specifications

Cat grass is an annual ornamental grass that grows in USDA zones 3 through 11. It is edible for both humans and animals, and is commonly grown as a natural treat for cats. It provides high amounts of vitamins and fiber.

• Foliage color: green and white
• Plant height: 24 inches
• Growth rate: fast

Cat Grass Variegated (Hordeum Vulgare Variegate) - Whether you are growing Cat Grass seeds for your feline friends or as ornamental grass, you can not go wrong! Variegated Cat Grass is lovely with bright white and green foliage, and it is lovely as a seasonal accent plant growing with other annuals in containers and borders. Cat Grass has never been as popular as it is now, and you can easily start Cat Grass seeds and satisfy your cat's craving for grasses.

Hordeum vulgare seed is actually a cereal grain, barley. It provides vitamins and fiber for cats, and it is also edible for people and can be used like wheat grass either freshly juiced or dried into powder.

How To Grow Cat Grass: If you are providing the Cat Grass for your cats, use shallow containers filled with potting soil, and lightly broadcast the Cat Grass seeds across the top. Cover the ornamental grass seeds with soil and keep it moist. It can be grown indoors in a sunny window. For use as an ornamental grass, start the Cat Grass seeds in pots. The grass can be transplanted into annual color pots and will reach nearly 24 inches in height.

Golden Millet (Milium effusum) - If you have shade, you will want to start Golden Millet seeds! Most ornamental grasses need full sun, but this little ornamental Millet Grass actually prefers a shady location. The golden, chartreuse leaves will brighten any shady spot in your landscape, and it will gently spread to create a bright ground cover for shade. Also called Golden Wood Millet Grass, this ornamental's foliage is bright yellow in spring, and turns greenish gold in summer, and the plant only grows to about 18 - 24 inches tall. A drought tolerant plant perfect for xeriscape landscaping where water conservation is an important factor in the grasses you choose.

How To Grow Golden Millet: Start the Milium effusum seeds indoors in the early spring. Use small pots filled with seed starting mix. Place the ornamental grass seeds onto the soil and cover thinly with sand or soil and keep the seeds moist. Transplant outdoors once soil temperatures have warmed and frost danger has passed.