Pam/Digging inspired me with her post Early Fall Grasses. That focused me (mostly) on shooting grasses Sunday morning.
They’re at their best morning and evening when the sun is low, and provide different viewing experiences depending on your perspective, for example looking into the sun (above) or with the sun at your back (below).
They’re easier to shoot in the morning before the wind picks up and puts them in motion. (See videos.)
I didn’t think I’d like this variegated miscanthus when I planted it. It’s now my favorite. It’s backed by M. sinensis ‘Gracimillus’.
I’m always amazed how red Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ gets, here bent over in the dew.
Another favorite that I incorrectly identified as Panicum ‘Heavy Metal’ in a previous post. (Sorry Kim.) It’s either ‘Dallas Blues’ or possibly ‘Cloud Nine’ according to my less than adequate records.
And a close-up of the seedheads:
Molinia ‘Skyracer’ is a little slow to get going, mostly because I have it too close to some Eupatoriums that shade it some.
A ‘blonde’ sedge in the water garden, and Miscanthus floridulus blocking the traffic from the road.
It’s been a pretty good year for the M. floridulus. It’s about 12 feet tall and hasn’t flowered yet. It’s flowered a couple times in the half dozen years I’ve had it. It’s not as strong as bamboo. But I use it for wattles and pea trellis (in conjunction with metal fenceposts and woven wire).
I don’t have an ID on this grass. But I show it because I like the way that the thunbergia has overrun the trellis next to it and has formed a close pairing with the grass.
And one last morning shot …
Craig: Your early morning shots are spectacular! It really says fall doesn’t it when the light is so filtered in the a.m.
You really captured the morning light shining through your grasses. They all look great, but I’m especially fond of that mystery panicum. It’s an unusual color, and the seedheads look like fireworks exploding.
Oh, what great pictures of your grasses! No need to apologize for the “incorrect” ID… that just means I need to get one of each to make sure that I at least get the one I want, right? 😉
Very atmospheric photos!
All gorgeous – thanks. Who says fall isn’t as spectacular as spring? Not I.
Great photos, Craig – you’ve put together some wonderful combinations. The bottle tree may have southern origins, but it looks quite at home in the grasses.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Misty morning light is gorgeous in your garden – thanks for the grassy tour!
You sure have a nice selection of grasses! I like that bottle tree, too. I see a few in gardens up here, but the cobalt bottles really stand out.
That panicum with the fabulous flower heads is definitely Dallas Blues. Your foggy mornings are great. I always pray for morning fog.
the Dallas blues looks spectacular, im going to get it for my garden.
i read those seedheads last long in to winter, what kind of height do yours get to and does it look good right through to spring?