Ornamental Grasses Show Minimal Response to Cultural Inputs

Full sun trial gardens were established at two sites in northern Florida. Six U.S. native and three non-native warm season grass species were evaluated in a split-plot design. Only eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides), elliott's lovegrass (Eragrostis elliottii), gulf hairawn muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and ‘Central Park' maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis) showed a significant response to supplemental irrigation or fertilization. Supplemental irrigation did not influence foliage height for any of the grasses, whereas supplemental fertilization influenced foliage height only for chinese fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides). The response differences between locations were attributed in part to soil types. This study observed minimal or no response of shoot growth to supplemental irrigation or fertilization for the grass species tested, thereby affirming the broad adaptability and minimal need for inputs for these ornamental landscape plants.

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Tolerance of Native and Ornamental Grasses to Over-the-top Applications of Topramezone Herbicide

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci12989-18 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 53 (6) ◽

pp. 842-849

Author(s):

S. Christopher Marble ◽

Matthew T. Elmore ◽

James T. Brosnan

Keyword(s):

Panicum Virgatum ◽

Large Scale ◽

Schizachyrium Scoparium ◽

Grass Species ◽

Sorghastrum Nutans ◽

Eastern Gamagrass ◽

Little Bluestem ◽

Wild Oats ◽

Pennisetum Alopecuroides ◽

Over The Top

Research was conducted to determine the tolerance of multiple native and ornamental grass species and one ornamental sedge species to over-the-top applications of the postemergence herbicide topramezone at three locations in the southeastern United States in 2016 and 2017. Fully rooted liners of selected grass species were outplanted into research plots in Apopka, FL; Dallas, TX; and Knoxville, TN in late spring, allowed time to establish (≈1–2 months) and then treated with two applications of topramezone at either 0.05 or 0.10 kg a.i./ha at 6–8 weeks intervals. Results showed that species including Andropogon virginicus (broomsedge), Schizachyrium scoparium ‘The Blues’ (little bluestem), Tripsacum dactyloides (eastern gamagrass), and Tripsacum floridanum (florida gamagrass) exhibited the greatest tolerance to topramezone with <10% injury to no injury being evident after each application of both herbicide rates tested. Chasmanthium latifolium (wild oats), Eragrostis elliottii ‘Wind Dancer’, Muhlenbergia capillaris (pink muhly), and Spartina bakeri (sandcord grass) were significantly injured (50% injury or greater) at both herbicide rates. Average injury observed on Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ (red switchgrass) (ranging from 39% to 100% injury) and Sorghastrum nutans (indian grass) (ranging from 0% to 40% injury) was higher in Florida than in Tennessee (injury ranging from 23% to 43% on red switchgrass and 0% to 10% on indian grass). Similarly, Pennisetum alopecuroides (dwarf fountain grass) showed higher tolerance in Texas (ranging from 0% to 34% injury) compared with those observed in Tennessee (ranging from 0% to 53% injury). Topramezone injury to Carex appalachica (appalachian sedge) was ≤18% following two applications at both rates tested. Although no injury was observed in appalachian sedge following a single application up to 0.1 kg a.i. in Florida, plants succumbed to heat stress and accurate ratings could not be taken following the second application. Because of variability observed, tolerance of red switchgrass, indian grass, dwarf fountain grass, and appalachian sedge to applications of topramezone deserves further investigation. There is potential for future use of topramezone for control of certain grass and broadleaf weeds growing in and around certain ornamental grass species. However, as there was significant variability in tolerance based on species and differences in cultivars, testing a small group of plants before large-scale application would be recommended.

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Potential utilization of native prairie grasses from western Canada as ethanol feedstock

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/p03-157 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 84 (4) ◽

pp. 1067-1075 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Paul G. Jefferson ◽

W. Paul McCaughey ◽

Ken May ◽

Jay Woosaree ◽

Linden McFarlane

Keyword(s):

Native Species ◽

Panicum Virgatum ◽

Warm Season ◽

Schizachyrium Scoparium ◽

Grass Species ◽

Western Canada ◽

Cool Season ◽

Little Bluestem ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Warm Season Grasses

The utilization of native grass species for potential biomass feedstocks of the emerging ethanol industry requires more information about their cellulose and hemicellulose concentration. Ten native species were grown at seven sites across the prairie region of western Canada for two to four growing seasons. Northern wheatgrass, Elymus lanceolatus, produced high concentrations of cellulose (363 g kg-1) but low concentrations of hemicellulose (266 g kg-1). Green needlegrass, Nasella viridula, produced high concentrations of both constituents (351 and 307 g kg-1). Four warm-season grasses, big bluestem, Andropogon gerardii, little bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, prairie sandreed, Calamovilfa longifolia, and switchgrass, Panicum virgatum, had 346, 342, 340 and 338 g kg-1, respectively, concentrations of cellulose and also exhibited a positive response to temperature that resulted in increased hemicellulose concentration. Accumulated thermal time (degree day base 10°C) was correlated to hemicellulose concentrations in the warm-season grasses but not for cool-season grasses. Holocellulose (cellulose + hemicellulose) concentration differences varied among site-years but warm-season grasses were more stable in hollocellulose concentration than cool-season grasses. Key words: Biomass, native grasses, cellulose, hemicellulose, biofuel

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102 Container Production of Ornamental Grasses: The Effects of Propagation Time on Winter Survival and Sale Date

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.34.3.459a ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 459A-459

Author(s):

Bruce A. Cunliffe

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Warm Season ◽

Winter Survival ◽

Schizachyrium Scoparium ◽

Grass Species ◽

Miscanthus Sinensis ◽

Propagation Time ◽

Visual Rating ◽

General Production ◽

Production Pattern

It is common practice to propagate grasses by division in the spring rather than the fall. This is particularly true of warm-season grasses. Production schedules for grasses do not often fit the general production pattern of other herbaceous perennial or woody crops. Five ornamental grass species were studied: Schizachyrium scoparium, Sporobolus heterolepsis, Calamagrostis × acutiflora `Karl Foerster', Miscanthus sinensis `Purpurascens', and Miscanthus sinensis `Variegatus'. Uniform divisions based on species were planted in 4-inch (480-ml) pots, #1 (2780-ml), and #2 (6240-ml) containers. Fall divisions were done between 28 Oct. and 10 Nov. 1997. Spring divisions occurred between 30 Apr. and 7 May 1998. The experiment is a randomized complete-block design blocking on pot size. All containers were over-wintered under the same cover of plastic, straw, and plastic. Plants were evaluated for post-winter survival and growth. Plants were given a visual rating (0-3) every 2 weeks to assess salability. Spring survival of fall divisions was 99% for S. scoparium, C. × acutiflora `Karl Foerster', and M. sinensis `Purpurascens'. M. sinensis `Variegatus', and S. heterolepsis each had ≈50% survival. Fall divisions reached a salable rating a minimum of 2 weeks ahead of spring divisions. These results indicate that some ornamental grass species may benefit from fall rather than spring handling.

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Propagation Time Affects Winter Survival and Finishing Date for Ornamental Grasses

Journal of Environmental Horticulture ◽

10.24266/0738-2898-20.4.201 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 201-203 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bruce A. Cunliffe ◽

Mary Hockenberry Meyer

Keyword(s):

Survival Rates ◽

Winter Survival ◽

Schizachyrium Scoparium ◽

Miscanthus Sinensis ◽

Propagation Time ◽

Little Bluestem ◽

Ornamental Grasses ◽

One Year

Abstract Five grasses: little bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash; prairie dropseed, Sporobolus heterolepis (A. Gray) A. Gray; feather reedgrass, Calamagrostis x acutiflora (Schrad.) DC. ‘Karl Foerster’; redflame miscanthus, Miscanthus Anderss. ‘Purpurascens’; and variegated Japanese silvergrass, Miscanthus sinensis Anderss. ‘Variegatus’; were propagated in fall and spring by plugs or field divisions into 480 ml (4 in round), 2.7 liter (#1), or 6.2 liter (#2) nursery containers. Plants were evaluated for finish date and winter survival. Three fall handled species consistently finished as a salable plant within one year: Schizachyrium scoparium plugs, Calamagrostis xacutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ divisions, and Miscanthus ‘Purpurascens’ divisions. Sporobolus heterolepis and Miscanthus sinensis ‘Variegatus’ grew faster and finished with significantly higher survival rates from spring divisions. Spring planted plugs of S. heterolepis and S. scoparium finished within 9 weeks. The two smaller container sizes finished significantly ahead of the larger size.

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Effect of Salt Spray Concentration on Growth and Appearance of ‘Gracillimus’ Maiden Grass and ‘Hamelin’ Fountain Grass

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.18.1.34 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 34-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

S.M. Scheiber ◽

David Sandrock ◽

Erin Alvarez ◽

Meghan M. Brennan

Keyword(s):

Plant Biomass ◽

Salt Spray ◽

Foliar Spray ◽

Coastal Communities ◽

Miscanthus Sinensis ◽

Salt Tolerant ◽

Landscape Plants ◽

Whole Plant ◽

Pennisetum Alopecuroides ◽

Seawater Concentration

Salt-tolerant landscape plants are important to ornamental growers, landscapers, and residents in coastal communities. Ornamental grasses are frequently recommended for low-maintenance landscape situations and may be candidates for coastal plantings after they are evaluated for their salt spray tolerance. ‘Gracillimus’ maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis) and ‘Hamelin’ fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) were subjected to four treatments [100% seawater salt spray, 50% seawater salt spray, 25% seawater salt spray, or 0% seawater salt spray (100% deionized water)] applied as a foliar spray. As seawater concentration increased, root, shoot, whole-plant biomass gain, height, inflorescence number, and visual quality decreased for both cultivars; however, fountain grass appears to be slightly more tolerant of salt spray than maiden grass.

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Small Divisions of Ornamental Grasses Produce the Best Growth Following Direct Potting

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.34.6.1126 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 34 (6) ◽

pp. 1126-1128 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mark H. Brand

Keyword(s):

Panicum Virgatum ◽

Grass Species ◽

Size Difference ◽

Miscanthus Sinensis ◽

Plant Weight ◽

Simplified Approach ◽

Grass Production ◽

Ornamental Grasses ◽

Pennisetum Alopecuroides ◽

Bare Root

Potting of bare-root spring divisions is a simplified approach to ornamental grass production. Large and small divisions of eight common ornamental grasses were directly potted into 7-L nursery containers and grown outdoors for 20 weeks to determine an appropriate division size for each grass. Response to division size was dependent on the grass species. Large divisions of Calamagrostis ×cutiflora `Karl Foerster' (Schräd.) produced twice as many inflorescences as small divisions. At harvest, large divisions of Miscanthus oligostachyus `Purpurascens' (Stapf.) had twice as many inflorescences and 1.5 times as many tillers as small divisions. However, new tiller production in large divisions was only 50% of that in small division plants. Large divisions of Miscanthus sinensis (Anderss.) cultivars produced more tillers and greater fresh and dry weights than did small divisions, but again, the differences were not proportional to the size difference between the initial divisions. Large divisions of Panicum virgatum (L.) produced 50 more tillers per plant than did small divisions, but plant weight, size, and number of inflorescences were not affected by division size. Plants from large divisions of Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng. were 7 cm shorter than small divisions and produced 24% more inflorescences and 27% more tillers, but appeared nutrient and/or water stressed. For most grasses, smaller division size is recommended for direct spring potting.

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Growth, Gas Exchange, and Mineral Nutrients of Ornamental Grasses Irrigated with Saline Water

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci13953-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 54 (10) ◽

pp. 1840-1846 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yuxiang Wang ◽

Youping Sun ◽

Genhua Niu ◽

Chaoyi Deng ◽

Yi Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Panicum Virgatum ◽

Saline Solution ◽

Saline Water ◽

The United States ◽

Schizachyrium Scoparium ◽

Grass Species ◽

Miscanthus Sinensis ◽

Urban Landscapes ◽

Salt Damage ◽

Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses are commonly used in urban landscapes in Utah and the Intermountain West of the United States. The relative salt tolerance of Eragrostis spectabilis (Pursh) Steud. (purple love grass), Miscanthus sinensis Andersson ‘Gracillimus’ (maiden grass), Panicum virgatum L. ‘Northwind’ (switchgrass), and Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash (little bluestem) were evaluated in a greenhouse. Plants were irrigated with a nutrient solution at an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.2 dS·m–1 (control), or saline solution at an EC of 5.0 or 10.0 dS·m–1. At harvest (65 days after the initiation of treatment), P. virgatum and S. scoparium exhibited no foliar salt damage, and E. spectabilis and M. sinensis had minimal foliar salt damage when irrigated with saline solution at an EC of 5.0 dS·m–1. At an EC of 10.0 dS·m–1, P. virgatum and S. scoparium still had no foliar salt damage, but E. spectabilis and M. sinensis displayed slight foliar salt damage, with visual scores greater than 3 (0 = dead; 5 = excellent). Compared with the control, saline solution at an EC of 5.0 and 10.0 dS·m–1 reduced the shoot dry weight of all ornamental grasses by 25% and 46%, respectively. The leaf sodium (Na+) concentration of E. spectabilis, M. sinensis, P. virgatum, and S. scoparium irrigated with saline solution at an EC of 10.0 dS·m–1 increased 14.3, 52.6, 5.3, and 1.7 times, respectively, and the chloride (Cl–) concentration increased by 9.4, 11.1, 2.8, and 2.7 times, respectively. As a result of the salt-induced water deficit, plant height, leaf area, number of inflorescences and tillers, net photosynthesis rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gS), and transpiration rate of four tested ornamental grasses decreased to some extent. Although high Na+ and Cl– accumulated in the leaf tissue, all ornamental grass species still had a good visual quality, with average visual scores greater than 3. In conclusion, all ornamental grasses showed a very strong tolerance to the salinity levels used in this research.

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Postemergence Applied Herbicides for Use On Ornamental Grasses

Journal of Environmental Horticulture ◽

10.24266/0738-2898-10.3.136 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 136-139

Author(s):

Charles H. Gilliam ◽

Gary J. Keever ◽

D. Joseph Eakes ◽

Donna C. Fare

Keyword(s):

Grass Species ◽

Miscanthus Sinensis ◽

Growth Indices ◽

Herbicide Treatments ◽

Fourth Species ◽

Pennisetum Alopecuroides ◽

Cortaderia Selloana ◽

Over The Top ◽

Similar Growth ◽

Low Rate

Abstract Postemergence-applied, grass-active herbicides registered for use in the landscape were applied over-the-top of four ornamental grass species to evaluate tolerance in 1990 and 1991. All herbicides caused some injury to all grass species. Growth indices of dwarf fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides L.K. Spreng. ‘Hameln)’ and pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana Schult. & Schult. f. Asch & Graebn. ‘Rosea’) treated with the low rate of Poast (sethoxydim) was similar to that of the nontreated plants in both years. Acclaim (fenoxaprop-ethyl) caused less injury to purple maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis Anderss. ‘Purpurescens’) and maiden grass (M. sinensis Anderss ‘Gracillimus’) than Poast and Fusilade 2000 (fluazifop). Both Acclaim rates resulted in similar growth indices to that of nontreated plants. Flowering was reduced in three of the four grass species with all grass active herbicide treatments; the fourth species did not flower.

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Effects of Media Porosity and Container Size on Overwintering and Growth of Ornamental Grasses

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.39.2.248 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 248-250 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Mary Hockenberry Meyer ◽

Bruce A. Cunliffe

Keyword(s):

Growth Parameters ◽

Schizachyrium Scoparium ◽

Miscanthus Sinensis ◽

Planting Dates ◽

Clear Trend ◽

Rice Hulls ◽

Little Bluestem ◽

Ornamental Grasses ◽

Overwintering Survival ◽

Effects Of Media

Five ornamental grasses {little bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash], prairie dropseed [Sporobolus heterolepis (A. Gray) A. Gray], feather reedgrass [Calamagrostis ×acutiflora(Schrad.) DC. `Karl Foerster'], flamegrass (Miscanthus Anderss. `Purpurascens'), and variegated Japanese silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensisAnderss. `Variegatus')} were propagated by transplanting plugs or field divisions into 480-mL (10-cm round), 2.7-L (no. 1), and 6.2-L (no. 2) nursery containers with media ratios (v/v) of 0:1, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 1:0 rice hulls to sand, resulting in aeration porosities in 2.7-L containers of 5%, 12%, 22%, 28%, and 41%, respectively. Planting dates were between 28 Oct and 10 Nov. 1997; 30 Apr. and 7 May 1998; and 23-28 Oct. 1998 and 1-10 May 1999. Plants were covered with plastic and straw from the second week in November until the second week in April. Winter survival was evaluated 6 weeks after uncovering and for finished dates every 2 weeks thereafter. Species had a significant effect on overwintering survival, but container size and media did not. Sporobolus heterolepis and M. sinensis `Variegatus' had significantly lower overwintering survival than the other species. Container size significantly influenced growth; the 6.2-L containers had the highest values for all growth parameters. Growth response to media was a weak (nonsignificant) quadratic response, indicating for these species no clear trend for the best media aeration porosity.

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Survival and Growth of Wildflowers with Buffalo Grass or Blue Grama Grass

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.40.6.1787 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 40 (6) ◽

pp. 1787-1789

Author(s):

Dale T. Lindgren ◽

Daniel Schaaf

Keyword(s):

Bouteloua Gracilis ◽

Schizachyrium Scoparium ◽

Buchloe Dactyloides ◽

Blue Grama ◽

Little Bluestem ◽

West Central ◽

Buffalo Grass ◽

Survival And Growth ◽

Saponaria Officinalis ◽

Plot Design

Two studies in west-central Nebraska to determine the survival of wildflowers planted with buffalo grass [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] and blue grama grass [Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag. ex Steud.)] were conducted in 6 and 10 year studies. In total, 19 forbs and 1 grass were transplanted with `Texoka' buffalo grass in the first study, and 16 forbs were planted in a split-plot design into 3 buffalo grass selections, blue grama or a clean cultivated plot in the second study. Survival between transplants in both studies varied significantly. In the first study, survival was significantly higher for little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium Michx.) (85%), bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis L.) (100%), and stiff goldenrod (Solidago rigida L.) (100%) over the 6 years of the study. In the second study, there were significant differences between species for survival, with grayhead prairie coneflower [Ratibida pinnata (Vent.) Barnh.] (85%) and pitcher sage (Salvia azurea Lam.) (80%) having the highest survival at the end of the 10-year study. There were significant differences in height and number of flower stalks within S. rigida, R. pinnata, and S. azurea between years and between main plots. This study demonstrates differences in survival and growth of wildflowers when planted in conjunction with buffalo grass and blue grama grass.

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