Hot Picks 4/30

From The Desk Of Bill Varga

When asked my favorite color, I answer, “Blue”. That’s odd, I think.  I really like Sundancer Daisies (yellow), Firechalice (red-orange). Maybe it’s the “Blues”! Not music but blue grasses.    Blue Oat (Helictotrichon), Mini Blue Oat (Poa secunda var. juncifolia), Blue Fescue (Festuca), Blue Basin (Leymus glaucus), Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans), all come in striking shades of blue by varietal selection.    If you desire tall grass for screening you can’t beat the Perennial Favorites Standout “Blue Basin” wildrye which can reach to 6’ tall. Once established, the intermountain region native needs little to no water to achieve its ultimate stature in powder blue.   Of similar character in height and color is “Thin Man” Indian grass.  It develops a more narrow and upright form when compared to its species relatives.    The long lived true silver blue oat grass still holds a secure place in this color group at a mid-height range of 2-3’. Unlike other grasses, older dried foliage is combed from each plant rather than cut down in the spring.   Two native Poa species we call Mini Oat, are smaller versions of the above European Blue Oat introduction.  They resemble Blue Oat and grooming is similar. The long time favorite Blue Fescues can be had from the diminutive “Boulder Blue” (6”) to taller “Beyond Blue” (12-18”)    Soften your garden hues with some of the above and enjoy the gentle sway of the taller group as they dance in the late summer, fall and winter breeze.