Grasses and Grass-Like Plants Used by Oehme and van Sweeden

Grasses are an integral part of gardens designed by landscape architects Wolfgang Oehme and James van Sweeden.  Below is a partial list of some grasses that they used to add structure and fall and winter interest in the landscape.


Achnatherum brachytricha - Silver Spike Grass
USDA Zone:  4-9
Height (Inflorescence):  24-30"
Spread:  18-24"
Exposure:  Sun to partial shade
Uses in the Landscape:  Massing, small clump, accent
Combine with:  Liriope, Rudbeckia, Sedum


Calamagrostis acutiflora stricta - Feather Reed Grass
USDA Zone:  4-9

Height (Inflorescence): 4.5-7'

Spread:  24"

Exposure:  Full sun to light shade

Uses in the Landscape: background, specimen, large or small masses

Combine with:  Aster, Pennisetum, Rudbeckia, Sedum

Carex morrowii variegata - Silver Variegated Japanese Sedge
USDA Zone:  5-9

Height (Inflorescence): 12"

Spread:  12"

Exposure:  Partial shade

Uses in the Landscape:  borders, edging, massing

Combine with:  Bergenia, Epimedium, Rodgersia pinnata

Carex pendula - Great Drooping Sedge Grass
USDA Zone:  5-9

Height (Inflorescence): 24-36"

Spread:  24-30"

Exposure:  Full sun to partial shade

Uses in the Landscape: Groundcover, textural accent

Combine with:  Astilbe, Bergenia, Epimedium, Hosta, Ligularia, Rodgersia pinnata

Cortaderia selloana pumila - Pampas Grass
USDA Zone:  6-10

Height (Inflorescence):  8-12'

Spread:  4-5'

Exposure:  Full sun

Uses in the Landscape:  Screening or accent

Combine with:  Eupatorium, Lythrum

Deschampsia caespitosa - Tufted Hair Grass
USDA Zone:  4-9

Height (Inflorescence): 24-36"

Spread:  30"

Exposure:  Sun to partial shade.  Needs moist soil.

Uses in the Landscape:  Specimen or massing.

Combine with:  Bergenia, Epimedium, Hosta, Ligularia

Fargesia nitida - Chinese Clump Bamboo
USDA Zone:  4-9

Height (Inflorescence):  10-12'

Spread:  48"

Exposure:  Shade to partial shade

Uses in the Landscape:  Specimen, screening, or massing.  Non-invasive.

Helictotrichon sempervirens - Blue Oat Grass
USDA Zone:  4-8

Height (Inflorescence):  24-30"

Spread:  24"

Exposure:  Sun to partial shade

Uses in the Landscape:  Accent, specimen, masses, or naturalizing

Combine with:  Artemisia, Nepeta, Stachys

Imperata cylindrica 'Red Barron' - Japanese Blood Grass
USDA Zone:  5-9

Height (Inflorescence):  12-18"

Spread:  12-18"

Exposure:  Sun to partial shade

Uses in the Landscape:  Groundcover, accent, specimen

Combine with:  Bergenia, Stachys

Miscanthus floridulus - Giant Chinese Silver Grass
USDA Zone:  4-9

Height (Inflorescence):  10-12'

Spread:  5-8'

Exposure:  Full sun

Uses in the Landscape: Background, architectural specimen in lawns

Combine with:  Hibiscus, Rudbeckia

Miscanthus sinensis gracillimus - Maiden Grass

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height (Inflorescence): 4-6'

Spread:  36-48"

Exposure:  Sun

Uses in the Landscape:  Vertical accent with low groundcovers, backdrop, screening

Combine with:  Aster, Pennisetum, Rudbeckia, Sedum

Miscanthus sinensis purpurascens - Purple Silver Grass

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height (Inflorescence):  4-5'

Spread:  36"

Exposure:  Full sun

Uses in the Landscape:  Accent, back of border, screening

Combine with:  Rudbeckia, Sedum, Yucca

Molinia arundinacea 'Transparent' - Tall Purple Moor Grass

USDA Zone:  3-8

Height (Inflorescence):  5-6'

Spread:  36-42"

Exposure:  Sun.  Needs acid soil.

Uses in the Landscape:  Vertical accent

Combine with:  Coreopsis, Sedum

Panicum virgatum 'Haense Herms' - Red Switch Grass

USDA Zone:  3-9

Height (Inflorescence):  36-48"

Spread:  30"

Exposure:  Sun

Uses in the Landscape:  Masses, back of the border

Combine with:  Aster, Boltonia, Sedum, Yucca

Pennisetum alopecuroides - Hardy Fountain Grass

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height (Inflorescence):  36"

Spread:  24"

Exposure:  Sun to partial shade

Uses in the Landscape:  Small to large groups

Combine with:  Aster, Eupatorium, Rudbeckia, Sedum, Yucca

Sesleria autumnalis - Autumn Moor Grass

USDA Zone:  3-8

Height (Inflorescence):  12-18"

Spread:  18"

Exposure:  Sun to partial shade.  Alkaline soil.

Uses in the Landscape:  Border massing, woodland edges

Combine with:  Ceratostigma, Chrysanthemum pacificum, Sedum

Spodiopogon sibiricus - Silver Spike Grass

USDA Zone:  3-9

Height (Inflorescence):  36-48"

Spread:  30"

Exposure:  Sun.  Drought tolerant

Uses in the Landscape:  Specimen or mass planting

Combine with:  Aster, Rudbeckia, Sedum, Stachys