ORNAMENTAL HARDY GRASSES 
75 
Stipa pennata, or Feather Grass, is a fine dwarf Orna- 
mental Grass. Pennisetum longistylum is one of the 
most beautiful of low-growing Grasses ; it grows 
about 2 feet high, with gracefully arching narrow leaves, 
veiled with nodding, feathery flower-heads that look 
like a silvery cloud, making a beautiful border for 
sub-tropical beds. Pennisetum Rueppelianum, an an- 
nual variety about a foot high, it almost as effective. 
Although the above perennial Grasses are consid- 
ered hardy, yet in exposed localities it is well to cut 
them off and mulch their roots, especially the Arundo. 
forms a noble and beautiful plant, growing from 6 to I2 feet high, according to soil and 
location. The large silvery plumes are particularly effective against the dark background of 
some evergreen or other shrubbery. The next important Grass is the Eulalia japonica, of 
which there are now three prominent varieties: Variegata, green leaves striped lengthwise with 
white; Zebrina, green leaves striped crosswise with yellow; and Gracillima univittata, a dwarfer 
sort. The Eulalias form elegant and graceful plants, as our illustration on page 74 will show. 
These groups, however, are not in bloom. The feathery flower-spikes appear in September, when 
the plants stand about 6 feet high. Arundo Donax is a splendid Bamboo-like Grass or Reed, of 
very tropical effect, growing in rich soil. If kept moist, it frequently grows I2 to 15 feet 
high in one season. It is the tall grass shown in the large illustration on page 74- 
pampas GRASS 
