Grasses, More Waterwise Plants, Mahonia

Stipa arundinaria (New Zealand Wind Grass)

This clump forming grass produces large inflorescences that can add lightness and motion to your garden. There are many grasses in the Stipa genus and quite a few are known as“Feather Grass”.
This Stipa is native to New Zealand. Its arching evergreen foliage grows in clumps to 2 feet tall and wide. Medium green leaves have a coppery tinge that is strongest in Fall and Winter. Feathery green flowers with purple tints appear in early Summer rising barely higher than the leaves. It is a sun lover,
but tolerates light shade.

This is one of my favorite grasses. I have a small yard and don’t have space for many of the larger
grasses, but this grass fits in well with my mixed planting. I would like to add to the color
description above. My Wind Grass has shades of chartreuse, yellow, orange, and maroon – a
rainbow of Fall type colors and is a very beautiful grass. Even the common name, New Zealand
Wind Grass, lets you know this is a very special grass.

We have several other interesting grasses and will have an even better selection in the Spring and
Summer as we are experimenting with some new grasses. We also have some California native
grasses as well.

Waterwise Plants Available at Markham

Hopefully you’re taking note of the many suggestions we are making about plants we have
available in our Nursery that will help you conserve water and will also allow you to have an
attractive garden during dry periods. Below are some more waterwise plants at Markham:
Mahonia (Oregon Grape) – California native shrub
Myoporum parvifolium – tough groundcover
Osmanthus – evergreen shrub
Osteospermum fruticosum – trailing or mounding African Daisy

Mahonia aquifolium ‘Compacta’ - This is an evergreen shrub with leaves that have sharp toothed edges (left). Yellow flowers grow in rounded or spike like clusters. This hardy evergreen shrub grows in light sun/light shade in our area. ‘Compacta’ grows to 2 feet and spreads freely to make low masses. It is a California native.