New in the Nursery: Autumn Grasses

One of the surest signs of fall in the garden, newly-arrived grasses are taking center stage at our Styer's nursery. As summer blooms wane, we love adding feathery grasses to our landscape for a fresh infusion of height, color, and texture. These striking, low-maintenance specimens also make great additions to cut arrangements, container gardens, and centerpieces. Read on to learn more about two of our favorite fall grasses.

Fountain Grass (left): A mound-forming ornamental variety, fountain grass gets its name from the shape of its cascading leaves. Easy to care for, its dense growth pattern means that it won't become invasive, making it ideal for border gardens. Its downy, foxtail-like flowers appear in late summer through fall. Though very adaptable, fountain grass grows best in fertile, well-drained soil and full sun. Clusters of fountain grass can reach 4' in height and diameter, so be sure to space new plantings at least 3-5' apart. A tender perennial that can survive the winter only in Zones 9 and warmer, fountain grass can be cut back and overwintered indoors in colder climates.

Millet (right): An ancient food crop that has become an ornamental favorite, millet is a standout in fall gardens thanks to its tall and stately seed spires. Native to semi-arid regions of Africa and Asia, this annual grass thrives in sunny areas with loamy, well-drained soil. Millet is ideal for adding dramatic height to the garden, often growing 3-5' feet tall with cattail-like plumes. Its abundant seeds are a favorite food for birds, and can also be collected for planting next year.

Throughout the season, our plant team highlights their freshest additions to the garden with New in the Nursery. Check in at your local store to take home these newly-arrived plants.