Red hot poker blooms contrast with
zebra grass in summer.
|
 |
At the Virginia Zoo, waving ornamental
grasses beckon visitors as they approach. Creating a transition
from the formality of the entry plaza to naturalized exhibits,
these easy to care for plants provide year round interest.
In summer, fine textured pennisetums or fountain grasses bloom
with fuzzy plumes ranging from pinkish tan to almost black.
Varying in height from 11-inch 'Little Bunny' to 36-inch 'Moudry',
these clumps anchor the ornamental grass display.
The medium height grasses have a wide range of form and leaf
pattern. Upright clumps of miscanthus have feathery plumes and
leaves with horizontal yellow stripes ('zebra grass'), wide
whites stripes ('Cosmopolitan'), and narrow white pin stripes
('Morning Light'). Feather reed grass, Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster',
has 3' clumps of slender leaves topped by tall, exclamation
point flower stalks. Finely textured switch grass, Panicum
virgatum 'Cloud Nine', has airy panicles of flowers over
blue-green foliage.
Crowning the Ornamental Grass Garden, is Saccharum arundinaceum-
the hardy sugar cane. This 10' by 10' clumper sends pink plumes
skyward in fall. In addition to its ornamental value, hardy
sugar cane is a favorite treat among the grass-eating animals
of the Zoo.
In fall and winter, the swaying grasses rustle in the wind and
add sound and motion to the garden. In late winter/early spring,
the clumps are tied in bunches (for easy disposal) and cut back
to encourage fresh new growth.
Beyond the Ornamental Grass Garden itself, various grasses take
their places creating animal habitats, screening views, accenting
floral displays, and brightening shady woodlands. Look in and
around the Eagle Exhibit, the Shade Garden, and in container
gardens for more examples.
|
