The use of environmentally friendly, native plants saves time and money reducing water, chemical, fertilizer and maintenance needs. Summer is the season when grasses really perform, providing motion, sound and a haze of colour. Without periodic burning trees and shrubs will invade prairie causing a rapid transition to forest species. Native plant communities can be selected to meet all site conditions. This North American native plant is a great choice for a privacy screen, growing to about 6 feet tall with a 2- to 3-foot spread. 10 Plant - Value Packs. Ragweed, a native that flowers at the same time, is the one responsible for people's allergies, although Goldenrod, being conspicuous, gets unfairly blamed. Tall grasses The most famous of the tall grasses is the pampas grass (Cordateria), unfortunately not hardy in Ontario. One of the most common Goldenrod species in Ontario, it spreads aggressively and creates a riot of colour in summer and fall. Any of these native species will provide excellent options as zone 5 ornamental grasses. Welcome to Ontario Native Plants! If you had lived in the Midwest 200 years ago, you would have seen large swaths of big bluestem covering most of the prairie. Generally speaking, a species is considered to be non-native if it did not occur in the region covered by this website prior to the arrival of Europeans. Light and frothy, moor grasses prefer sun but tolerate part shade. Populations have also been found in areas of southern Ontario. Cutting them back in autumn can leave them vulnerable to frost damage. These characteristics do not refer to the hardiness of the plant but to their season(s) of growth. Impacts of Miscanthus. We are a nursery devoted to the restoration of Ontario's native plants and their habitats. Switchgrass is one of the native cool season grasses in North America that provides seeds for the birds during the winter. Equally important and vital to growing native grasses is the fact that less than one per cent of original Ontario tall grass prairie exists today. Warm or Cool Season Grasses. Ontario Weeds To browse by weed name, see the Ontario Weed Gallery Listing To browse by weed family, see the Ontario Weed Gallery Families Specializing in seed grown native perennial wildflowers, ornamental grasses, shrubs, vines and … Introduced species known for their vigor and adaptability enhance the landscape and offer a variety unmatched by native grasses. In this article we will discuss Native and Reclamation Seed. Fire caused by lightning or set deliberately by native aboriginals was important in maintaining prairie in Southwestern Ontario. They should be cut back to 2-4 inches (5-10 cm.) Big Blustem is a columnar bunchgrass to 6 ft. tall, 2 ft. or more wide. / 60 x 45 cm). sincerely thanks the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia for allowing the adaptation and use of the artwork and text from their Grow Me Instead booklet. Showing 1–16 of 62 results. For design purposes, perennial grasses generally have four main growing characteristics: They are a natural component, or the basis of the designed native landscape — mingling beautifully with native wildflowers in both naturalized and formal settings. Tall Native Grass Seed. This mix does best in full sun and drier soils. These native grasses are deeply rooted, low maintenance and hardy. In arid areas plant in low spots where moisture collects. Our native seed experts know this business and work in it every day. Wind and drought tolerant, but prefers extra moisture. In the prairie garden, the addition of grasses helps keep all of the plants upright. ~ By Shaun Booth | Dec 3, 2020 ~ Native grasses are crucial components of healthy gardens yet are often overlooked in favor of more showy flowers. Native Species; Novelties. There is a rich variety of colored ornamental grasses including blue, purple and even black. In fact, market gardeners in the Adelaide plains use beneficial insects to save their veggies and grape-growers in the Barossa use them to protect their vines . Ornamental grasses for cold climates require little maintenance. Ornamental Grasses Plants Frost Grass (Spodiopogon sibiricus) Frost grass brings a bamboo-like look to the garden with horizontal leaves, which take on purple to burgundy tints in fall. Aquascapes Unlimited’s seed sown local ecotype species add natural wildlife benefits, promote biodiversity, and oftentimes require less maintenance in terms of fertilizers and pesticides. For the purposes of this website various sources are used, such as Newcombe's Wildflower Guide and other authoritative books. These species are the backbone of the prairiegrass ecosystem that once covered most of the central plains of North America. Native species are the key to effectively reclaiming areas damaged during construction of roads, golf courses, parks, mining and energy projects. The best perennial ornamental grasses for shade and sun, towering tall ornamental grasses, variegated grasses... Ornamental grasses are low maintenance...perfect as deer resistant ground cover. They vary in height, from the imposing ‘Skyracer’ (7 ft. x 32 in. Native grasses, especially, are also an attractive food source for birds and butterflies. Canada Goldenrod has large branching heads of tiny yellow flowers. Grasses are often described as either warm or cool season. This mix creates a beautiful medium to tall grass prairie. For the purposes of this website various sources are used, such as Newcombe's Wildflower Guide and other authoritative books. Tall Native Grass Seed This mixture contains the species that form the backbone of the legendary prairie grasses, Little and Big Bluestem, Switchgrass, and Indiangrass. Little Bluestem, Big Bluestem, Indiangrass, and Switchgrass are the legendary grasses of the Tall Grass Prairie. Left untrimmed until the spring, they will stand up beautifully all winter, showing off their silhouettes against the snow. Combo Packages. We have the … Ontario Weeds - Weed Gallery Order Publication 505, Ontario Weeds To search by family name, see the Ontario Weed Gallery Listing Native Grass Mix NATIVE GRASS SEEDING INSTRUCTIONS Native Mix 1. In a larger landscape, grasses can be the foundation of a design that incorporates a succession of flowering perennials. Ontario Flowers, Ferns, Grasses, Shrubs, Trees May 3, 2018 ONTARIO’S NATIVE PLANT CATALOGUE No Nonsense - Plain Language - Go Shopping Choose the right plant, stick it in the ground, water it, then sit back, relax, and attract birds, bees and butterflies. Native Grasses – from Short to Tall Native grasses formed the foundation of the expanses of prairies, savannas and meadows that once covered the greater midwest. Native Wetland Plants Native plants are always the best choice for use in landscapes, restoration projects, storm water projects, and naturalized areas. Miscanthus grasses range throughout the eastern United States, as well as some states in the west, including Colorado and California. Grasses left in place help block both wind and snow, especially when planted in large clumps or sections. Best Sellers. Native grasses also attract good bugs that help fight pest insects that destroy your garden or your veggie patch. Ornamental Grasses. One last note on fall ornamental care. Planting with Zone 4 Ornamental Grasses. There are many drought tolerant grasses and a variety of native grasses. For the same spectacular effect, we use Miscanthus varieties or plume grass (Erianthus ravennae) whose flowerheads can reach 12 to 15 feet tall. Ornamental grasses can be an excellent natural windbreak. Blue-green leaves, stunning orange to maroon fall color. Grasses meet many landscaping needs, such as focal points, texture and colour. Written for all of Ontario, north to south, east to west. However, the ornamental value of our own native grasses has yet to be discovered. Wildflowers - Native Species: The distinction of Native and Non-native species is sometimes not clearcut. Generally speaking, a species is considered to be non-native if it did not occur in the region covered by this website prior to the arrival of Europeans. We are offering over 100 species with 19 new species to look forward to in 2021. The significance of aboriginal-set fires is uncertain. Trees and Shrubs - Native Species: The distinction of Native and Non-native species is sometimes not clearcut. Check out our 2021 Pla nt Catalog! Ornamental grasses are fairly new to the landscape scene—they've increased in popularity in the past couple decades. Quantities are limited for some plants, so you can start your planning now to ensure that you can order the plants you want in March. Native grasses mingle perfectly with wildflowers and play an important role in any native planting. In regions experiencing drought, native and ornamental grasses are a smart and show-stopping part of the landscape. It’s just one more reason to keep those ornamental plumes in place! / 2 m x 80 cm) to the compact ‘Moorhexe’ (24 x 24 in. This and Little Bluestem are the grasses … Native tallgrass prairies in Ontario were once habitation for a unique assemblage of grasses and flowers, along with an equally diverse group of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates, many of them had been designated as at-risk or … Your goals should be compatible with site conditions that cannot be altered. The OIPC also thanks the members of the Horticulture Outreach Collaborative and Communications Committee, who voluntarily contributed their time and expertise towards this project. These native grasses are well suited for both upland and lowland sites, and are tolerant of heat and drought, making them extremely versatile. tall once a year in early spring. As with most of the larger perennial clumps, dividing perennial grass, like Purple Fountain Grass, is an integral part of its growth and health. Gifts. Results per page. Grasses provide food and shelter for birds and other wildlife in the winter. 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