Tropical looking Grasses

[Alicehunter2000]

Is this purple fountain grass? I've never seen a clump look as nice as this one at Atlanta's Zoo.

[_Keith]

I grow Purple Fountain Grass here, but it doesn't look as lush as that? Mine is more upright and always has some green in it, too. I also grow Zebra Grass which has a very tropical look. Oh, also Lemon Grass, which doesn't look all that special but is great to cook with. I can't imagine ever being without those 3 in my garden.

[The Silent Seed]

No; (But that's the trouble with using common names, tsk tsk!) Just kidding. But in all seriousness; that IS the problem with common names.

There are probably 15 different grasses that could be called that.

But, the pictured plant is a Phormium.

"Purple Fountain" grass is usually a Pennisetum, a totally different creature.

I love the Phormium, and that one is hot.

[The Silent Seed]

PS;

Zebra Grass is usually a Miscanthus.

[Silas_Sancona]

David, Taking a guess, the grass in your picture looks like a type of Cordyline often called "Festival Grass". If you can find it, another Tropical looking grass for limited spaces is Tiger Grass ( Thysanolena maxima). Looks like Bamboo and doesn't get overly tall. Might burn back in a really bad winter but is supposed to re sprout from the ground if frozen down.

-Nathan-

[_Keith]

The Zebra Grass I grow is Miscanthus sinensis

The Purple Fountain Grass I grow is Pennisetum 'Fireworks'

The Lemon Grass I grow is Cymbopogon flexuosus

And now you know,,,,,,,,,,the rest of the story.

[_Keith]

And while it is getting slightly off target, this prompted me to look up how to preserve my bumper crop of Lemon Grass.

http://www.herbatorium.com/366/freezing-lemon-grass/#

There are a lot of ways to store properly in order to preserve herbs like thelemon grass. So how can one achieve a garden fresh flavor of the lemon grass during winter or even up to all year long? What is the best way to store lemon grass?

First step to store lemon grass is that the lemon grass should be collected during morning where the morning dew has already dried out but before the day’s heat can be felt. Then, remove any diseased or dry leaves. This could spoil the healthy leaves. Rinse the collected lemon grass with cold water. The process will remove the dirt and any insects residing in the lemon grass. Then lightly pat dry the leaves with paper towels.

Afterwards, the lemon grass should be frozen for longer shelf life. The bottom third of the lemon grass is the most commonly used for cooking. So it is better to remove already the top part and outer leaves. These parts could be used for tea making or for marinating then discard these. The bottom part of the lemon grass which is the bulb can be chopped, minced or pureed then put into freeze. It is best to freeze lemon grass in small amounts. The lemon grass is then wrapped in a plastic wrapper then store it in a plastic freezer container or in a double freezer bag or in a well-sealed glass jar. This will prevent the lemon grass from getting dry or inheriting the other odors of the freezer. If one’s goal is to store it for months, better get a vacuum pack; keep it air tight and tightly sealed.

On the other hand, the tender inner green lemon leaves can also be stored by separating it, then chopping it according to its desired usage, and freezing it. The inner green leaves are best for stir fried menus and sauces.

Lemon grass is an essential herb from native India and is widely used andpopular in Asian cuisine specifically with the culinary of Thais. They uselemon grass with chicken, fishes and curries. Storing lemon grass by freezing is the best way to preserve its garden fresh flavor and use it any time as part of cooking even during winter months.

With proper handling, stored lemon grass can be preserved from six months up to one year. However, the shelf life can be shortened if the item is exposed to open air, heat and light.

[Tropicgardener]

I love using Tiger Grass, a very tropical looking species with large leaves. Looks great for 3 to 5 years but the clump gets a bit ratty after that is best to be renewed.........Sugarcane is a great tropical grass, especially if you can get hold of the older and more colourful varieties. One of the old originals here is 'Badila' it is only a short cane but has very thick blackish purple cane that is very attractive. Also sometimes available here is another black Sugarcane with black leaves that is very slim and tall. It was used here in the industry as a marker cane. Both of these are very attractive in a garden setting.

[_Keith]

I grow Sugarcane too. Great looking specimen plant. I have no idea of the variety, but nice purple stalks.

[Mats]

Is this purple fountain grass? I've never seen a clump look as nice as this one at Atlanta's Zoo.

No; (But that's the trouble with using common names, tsk tsk!) Just kidding. But in all seriousness; that IS the problem with common names.

There are probably 15 different grasses that could be called that.

But, the pictured plant is a Phormium.

"Purple Fountain" grass is usually a Pennisetum, a totally different creature.

I love the Phormium, and that one is hot.

I'd put my money on Pennisetum.

See Pennisetum Purprueum Vertigo or Pennisetum 'Princess Caroline'.

.

[stevethegator]

Black mondo grass looks tropical to me, and it's super hardy

[kahili]

It looks like a Pennisetum grass-it may be P. Princess or Prince. Prince is taller than Princess and I think the leaves are a bit wider. Also-in the zone that Atlanta is in, Phormium is never going to get that large and full in the ground over a summer, whereas the Pennisetum grasses grow fast and the Princess and Prince get really large in just a few months. They are great landscaping grasses for the summer. I know the P. Princess has come back from a winter in zone 7b/8a before-but it can be iffy depending on the winter.

[Tropicgardener]

I always manage to kill Black Mondo Grass Steve !!!

[The Silent Seed]

So do I, Tropicgardener - I always end up over-watering it, or under-watering it. I stick to strange Liriopes instead.

My favorite is CASSIDY. It's curly!

[Palm crazy]

I have to agree with the others.

These dark pennisetum are new to the market but should be easy to find everywhere next spring. They sure are dramatic looking.

Edited August 25, 2014 by Palm crazy

[Eric in Orlando]

I agree, one of the dark Pennisetum varieties. 'Vertigo' is a really cool grass.

[stevethegator]

I always manage to kill Black Mondo Grass Steve !!!

My only experience with it was in Atlanta, Georgia which is a very temperate climate. It liked it there, but I had it in shade and neglected it. It didn't grow very much though

[Tropicgardener]

I haven't tried it here but had it in a blazing hot rockery at the base of a Sealing Wax Palm in my last garden in Tannum Sands.