decorative grasses are the tallest members of the grass family unit with their tiptop being measured in invertebrate foot rather than inch . The plants add texture and dimension to a garden when planted behind shorter plant and in front of taller shrubs and tree . cosmetic grasses also do well planted under great trees , as individual specimen plants , as ground covers , or in large containers with other plants to accentuate a patio . corrupt cosmetic supergrass that uprise in the U.S. Department of Agriculture ’s Plant Hardiness Zones for Illinois – zones 4B through 6B.

Chinese Fountain Grass

Chinese fountain grass ( Pennisetum alopecuroides ) is also recognise as fountain grass , Chinese pennisetum and swamp foxtail grass . It is a perennial cosmetic grass that grow from 2 to 4 feet improbable and just as spacious . The plant bring forth flat , narrow green leaves that grow from 12 to 20 inch long and ferment gold brown in the winter . The yellow or purple blossom grow in clump up to 8 inches long from summertime into early wintertime . Plant Chinese fount grass in full sunlight or partial specter and in a grime that is kept moist , but not lactating . The pasturage is hardy in all but a small plane section in northwest Illinois .

Indian Wood-Oats

Indian wood - oats ( Chasmanthium latifolium ) is also make out as northerly sea oats , broadleaf uniola , sequin grass , wood oats and wild oats . The industrial plant produce from 2 to 5 foot improbable and 2 invertebrate foot across and produces flat farewell that develop from 5 to 8 column inch long and 1 column inch wide and flowers that grow in flat clusters that grow from 1 to 2 inch long . Both the folio and the flowers turn tan in fall and flushed - bronze in the wintertime . Plant Indian wood - oat in full Dominicus or partial shade and a dry to moist soil . The works can be grown in all area of Illinois .

Reed Canary Grass

Reed canary grass ( Phalaris arundinacea ) grows from 2 ½ to 5 infantry tall and produce dark-green or blue leaves that grow up to 10 inches long and 3/4 inch wide . The flower rise in 10 - inch bunch , starting out as light super acid , turn golden tan , then light tan . Plant the grass in full sun or partial Dominicus and in a prolific grease that is moist to wet . Reed canary grass will do sleeping in the wintertime and grow again the next natural spring . The flora is seen more often in northerly Illinois , but it can be grown anywhere in the state .

Big Bluestem

Big bluestem ( Andropogon gerardii ' Vitman ' ) is also knows as turkeyfoot . The pasture grows from 4 to 8 foot tall and turns a maroon - tan in the fall . It has pocket-size flushed , low or browned bloom that grow in clusters from August through November . Plant big bluestem in full sun or fond shade and in ironic to moist soils . The plant life is a favorite of song birds and butterflies .

References

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