Author Archives: grasstalk

Changes in Native Grasses 1987-2024In January 1990 at the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association’s (MNLA) annual convention in Minneapolis, I first presented a list of winter hardy ornamental grasses recommended for growing and selling in the cold climate of then … Continue reading →

Sporobolus airoides Alkali SacatonNative to South Dakota, Missouri east to Washington, south to Texas and southern CA, but not native to Minnesota, alkali sacaton can flower early for a warm season grass, shown here on June 23, 2023 at the … Continue reading →

Hot and dry is often the weather in Minnesota in mid to late July. Fortunately, established warm season grasses can take the heat. New first year plants will need to be watered until they are established.

May 5 and finally warm weather to begin gardening again in Minnesota! It’s time to remove the tops of grasses left from last year. This opens up the plants to better light and moisture, and they look better without the … Continue reading →

So fun to see another grass selected by the Perennial Plant Association as the 2022 Perennial of the Year. And little bluestem is a great native grass that is easy to grow and has many ecosystem services. More information is … Continue reading →

What’s in a Name? Changes abound in the world of taxonomy and naming plants. Current cultural discussions are widening our traditional (European) thinking of plant names and how we arrive at these names.  In promoting the use of often overlooked … Continue reading →

Stunning fall color on purple moorgrass and many of the miscanthus on November 11, 2021 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

A new six-acre prairie was planted 1 year ago at Wakehurst, part of Kew Gardens in England. Their goal is to enable visitors to “walk the world” in different plant communities. The tallgrass prairie is one of the most endangered … Continue reading →

A warm October with no frost in sight enabled giant miscanthus Miscanthus xgiganteus to fully flower on October 13, 2021. Short due to drought, the flowers and overall plant are a sight to see at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. I … Continue reading →