
Pampas Grass
mikemalloy@naplesbutterfly.com
In Florida, Ornamental Grass is a category of grass that is very eye catching that does not have to be mowed. It is not turf grass. With its large number of species it’s easy to find ground covers, shrub plants and also tall plants to fit almost any landscape need. Grasses usually can make any landscape more interesting and give it a very tropical look. There are many varieties to choose: from low growing to shrubs to very tall. Ornamental grasses include true grasses but also bamboos, flax and sedges.
Like most plants here in Florida the grasses go through flushes of growth all year long. Ornamental grass should be pruned down in late winter or early spring to ensure beautiful foliage almost all year long. The warm weather here in Florida help these plants germinate quickly, so keep an eye out so that you can control their spread, just like you do for most plants in Florida. Bamboo species that grown here in Florida are of tropical nature, that are clumping varieties. Avoid bamboos that are running in nature for they will take over the world in a blink of an eye.
Some of the most popular Ornamental Grasses in south Florida are:
Fakahatchee Grass

Fakahatchee Grass
Sea oats (Uniola paniculata) are seen up and down our beautiful beaches, its primary function is to hold the sand in place for erosion control. Wheat seed heads can get up to six feet tall. Being where these are usually planted, it can take the harshest conditions such as salt, high winds, bad soil, drought and full Florida sun.
Muhley Grass (Muhlenbergi capillaris) is one of my personnel favorites. Planted in mass, the purple haze their plumes give off in the fall and winter is mesmerizing, especially when the sun highlights them. This native grass can get about three feet tall and tolerates salt, cold, drought and cold weather. Some great examples here in Naples are on the center medians of Golden Gate Parkway and many others.

Muhley Grass
Red Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum) Red to burgundy leaves and plumes reach heights of six feet with this grass. There is a Rubrum compact species which only grows one to two feet in height. It is drought tolerant and will even take a frost. Planted in masses or as a container plant works.
Bamboo Muhley (Muhlenbergia dumosa) is my favorite. It resembles a bamboo having multiple shoots. It can reach seven feet but has a weeping habit with a very fine and feathery nature. Even with its fine lacy over all look, it is a tough plant. It loves the heat and looks great in raised beds. The Naples Botanical gardens has some of the most beautiful I have ever seen.
Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus) is fast growing with sharp, long green leaves growing up to six feet. It has a lemon scent and is even used in tea and Asian cooking. Even though this grass is clumping, it will seed itself everywhere. Keep on top of this one or else it will be on top of you. This one needs open areas.
Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) – One of the largest of all ornamental grasses, Pampas grass grows quickly, reaching heights and widths

Red Fountain Grass
Blue Love Grass (Eragrostis elliotii) Leaf blades are blue in color and slightly weeping. Love grass will get maybe two feet high and wide. The color is amazing in this clumping variety. One of the low growing varieties requiring full sun and is drought tolerant.
Sand Cordgrass (Spartina bakeri) is at its best when planted in mass on margins of retention and detention ponds, It grows fast and is great for filtration. The native cordgrass is an aggressive spreading plant that will accept wet feet but it is also drought tolerant and has good salt tolerance.
Remember, all ornamental grass plantings provide rest, food and nesting areas for Florida’s bird populations, especially around retention and detention ponds

Blue Love Grass
KEEP BUTTERFLYING!!!
Mike Malloy, local author and artist known as “The Butterfly Man” has been a Naples resident since 1991. A Collier County Master Gardener, he has written two books entitled “Butterfly Gardening Made Easy for Southwest Florida,” and “Tropical Color – A Guide to Colorful Plants for the Southwest Florida Garden”, and currently writes articles on various gardening topics for several local publications. Mike has planted and designed numerous butterfly gardens around Naples including many schools, the City of Naples, Rookery Bay, the Conservancy and Big Cypress. Bring your gardening questions to the Third Street Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings or on Thursdays at the Naples Botanical Garden where he does a Plant Clinic or visit his website, www.naplesbutterfly.com
folks
can you tell if the White Fountain Grass (sold at Home depot for example) is a NATIVE Floridian plant
It is not a native Florida plant, as it’s origins are Africa and the Middle East. It is however drought tolerant. Warning: It can re-seed and spread out to become more plant than you bargained for. Allow enough space for this and/or remove wandering new grass sprigs that pop up nearby.
sirs
can you tell me – is – White Fountain Grass – is a Native Floridian plant