Grass Co op

Anyone have any suggestions of places to get grasses from for a ornamental grass co-op?

Karyn, I have never done this personally so someone may have a better answer for you. But if you go to google and type in "ornamental grasses" wholesale, a decent list comes up. I am impressed with the selection at Bluestem. :) http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22ornamental+grasses%22+wholesale

Green Mountain Transplants has good prices... but the must be purchased in trays of 32. This is the list from there web page.

Grass, Ornamental Zone 4 except as noted.
Most grasses (except Phalaris) prefer full sun.. All hardy to zone four, except as noted.

* Acorus 'Ogon" (A. gramineus) (from divisions) $2.50 ea.
Bright golden-yellow variegated form of 'Sweet Flat'. Likes moist soil. Excellent companion plant in containers. Compact, 6-12 in. tall.

*Ammophilia 'Cape' (A. breviligulata 'Cape') (from divisions) $1.50 ea.
Special Cape Cod strain of 'American Beach Grass' or 'Dune Grass'. Maintenance-free, tall (2-4 ft.), thin, sharp, tough, grayish-green drought-tolerant grass native to coastal areas where it is used to prevent seaside erosion. Excellent for steep dry banks as ground cover. Easily spreads.

Bulbous Oat Grass (Arrhenatherum 'Varieg.') (from divisions) $2.00 ea.
Erect (about 12 in.), spreading grass with tuberous roots. Blades are grayish-green surrounded by a clear white margin.

'Karl Foerster' (Calamagrostis acutiflora) (divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Excellent golden displays of 2 to 3 ft. feather reed grass. Upright narrow, vertical habit. 2001 PPA 'Perennial Plant of the Year'.

Calamagrostis 'Overdam' (C. acutiflora) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Variegated with white edged erect blades in compact clumps, about 2 to 3 ft. tall. Pink plumes in early summer.

*Carex 'Bronze' (C. coomans) (divisions) zone 7 $2.50 ea.
Unique deep bronze sedge with thin, graceful 8-12 in. mounded foliage. Moist, but well drained. Excellent companion plant for mixed containers.

*Carex buchananii (divisions) zone 7 $2.00 ea.
A.k.a. 'Leatherleaf Sedge'. A tufted clump of unusual 18-24 in. copper-bronze foliage. Moist, but well drained. Excellent companion plant for mixed containers.

*Carex 'Cappuccio' (C. tenuiculmis) (divisions) zone 7 $2.50 ea.
Gracefully arching 1 ft. mounded foliage. Beautiful color variation from chocolate to red-bronze. Moist, but well drained. Excellent companion plant for mixed containers.

*Carex 'Evergold' (C. hachijoensis) (divisions) Zone 5 $5.00 ea.
A.k.a. 'Variegated Japanese Sedge'. Spectacular 12 in. arching wide creamy yellow blades with narrow green margins. For sun and part shade.

*Carex 'Gold Fountains' (C. dolichostachya) (divisions) zone 5 $4.00 ea.
From Japan, a compact 8-10 in. carex with tufts of thin foliage loned with birght gold margins. Variegation is most pronounched in full sun.

*Carex 'Toffee Twist' (C. flagellifera) (divisions) zone 7 $2.50 ea.
Evergreen toffee-colored fine foliage with a cascading, arching 2-3 ft. habit, turning coral in fall. Excellent companion plant for mixed containers.

Elymus 'Glaucus' (E. arenarius) (from divisions) zone 4 $2.00 ea.
Beautiful metallic blue-gray foliage. Blades tend to arch over at perimeter of clump. About 2 to 3 ft., depending on soil.

Fescue 'Elijah Blue' (Festuca glauca) (from divisions) $2.00 ea.
Very attractive, clumping, tidy grass (12 in.) with stunning, gray-blue, very narrow thread-like blades.

Hakonechloa 'Albo Striata' (H. macra) (divisions) Zone 5 $5.00 ea.
A.k.a 'Hakone Grass'. An unusual and elegant, dwarf (6-8 in.) broad-leaved, weeping white-striped Japanese forest grass which prefers full or partial shade. Attractive companion to Hostas.

Hakonechloa 'Aureola' (H. macra) (divisions) Zone 5 $6.00 ea.
A.k.a. 'Golden Variegated Hakone Grass'. Very showy variegated Japanese forest grass with weeping, wide, creamy yellow and green, variegated foliage, 18-24 in. Bright addition to a shady location. Slow growing.

Miscanthus 'Arabesque' (M. sinensis) (from divisions) zone 4 $2.00 ea.
Narrow green blades with fluffy, showy plumes. Tall clumps (3-4 ft.) but compact, suitable for mass planting or specimen.

*Miscanthus 'Carabet' (M. sinensis var. condensatus) (from divisions) zone 5 $3.00 ea.
A.k.a. 'Japanese Silver Grass'. Tall , (to 8 ft) very wide, ribbon-like grass with a creamy-white center and dark green margins. A specimen plant.

Miscanthus 'Gracillimus' (M. sinensis) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Commonly known as 'Maiden Grass'. Fine narrow foliage in an arch shape. Attractrive copper-red blooms in October. Full sun, well drained soil. Grows 5-7 ft.

Miscanthus 'Graziella' (M. sinensis) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Tall (5 to 6 ft.) rich green foliage with large white airy plumes at top in August which last well into fall.

* Miscanthus 'Malepartus' (M. sinensis) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
A.k.a 'Japanese Silver Grass'. Desired for its large, showy, purple-pink to silver plumes. Foliage turns from medium-green to deep-bronze in late summer. 5-7 ft.

* Miscanthus 'Morning Light' (M. sinensis) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Variegated form of 'Maiden Grass' (Gracillimus), with a distinct white edge on foliage that is otherwise identical to 'Gracillimus' More compact height, 3-5 ft.

Miscanthus 'Purpurascens' (M. sinensis) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Tall (3 to 5 ft.) green foliage which develops red coloring as summer progresses. Intense red fall coloring with cotton-like plumes.

Miscanthus 'Strictus' (M. sinensis) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
A.k.a. 'Porcupine Grass'. Tall (9 ft.) yellow banded variegated foliage, similar to Zebra grass, but more upright habit. Tolerates a wider variety of soiles, including coastal conditions with moisture.

Miscanthus 'Variegatus' (M. sinensis) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
A.k.a. 'Variegated Japanese Silver Grass'. The most popular miscanthus with white and green variegated 5-7 ft. foliage forming a wide, arching mound.

'Zebrinus' (Miscanthus sinensis) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Tall (5 to 6 ft.) Zebra grass with rich green foliage broken by horizontal yellow banded variegation. Upright somewhat narrow form.

Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) (from divisions) zone 4 $2.00 ea.
Very showy delicate pink flowers which appear to float above foliage like cotton candy.

Panicum 'Cloud Nine' (P. virgatum) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Tall 6 to 8 ft. blue-green switch grass. Upright narrow habit. Foliage turns yellow in fall. Dark red-purple blooms fading to beige.

Panicum 'Dallas Blues' (P. virgatum) (divisions) Zone 4 $2.50 ea.
One of the best tall (6 ft.) wide-leaved blue grasses. Long pale mauve flower heads turning darker in late summer or fall, yielding nice winter color.

Panicum 'Heavy Metal' (P. virgatum) (divisions) Zone 4 $2.50 ea.
A.k.a. 'Blue Switch Grass'. Blades are a metalic-blue, with a very erect habit and formal appearance. Tan colored seed heads at top of speciman,

Panicum 'Rotstrahlbusch' (P. virgatum) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Also known as Red Ray's switch grass. Medium tall (3-4 ft.) with foliage turning bright red in the fall.

Panicum 'Shenandoah' (P. virgatum) (divisions) Zone 4 $2.50 ea.
A.k.a. 'Red Switch Grass'. Initially green foliage changes to a beautiful burgundy-red by mid-summer. Coloring becomes deeper burgundy-wine by fall. Height 4 ft.

Pennisetum 'Hamelin' (P. alopecuroides) (divisions) Zone 5 $2.50 ea.
An attractive dwarf fountain grass (2-3 ft.) with rich green foliage and showyseed heads opening in July turning from a greenish-white to a creamy tan. Yellow in fall.

* Pennisetum 'Karley Rose' (P. orientale) (divisions) Zone 5 $2.50 ea.
A.k.a. 'Oriental Fountain Grass'. Glossy deep green foliage in an arching clump with strinking rose-pink foxtail flower heads.

Phalaris Picta (P. arundinacea var.) (from divisions) zone 4 $2.00 ea.
Variegated ribbon grass with green and white blades. Short (12 in.), colorful ground cover. Tolerates part shade.

Phalaris 'Strawberries & Cream' (P. arundinacea) (from divisions) zone 4 $2.00 ea.
Fesey's form of ribbon grass, similar to 'picta' but pink instead of white variegation. Short, 12 in., will tolerate part shade.

Sorghastrum 'Indian Steel' (S. nutans) (divisions/seed) Zone 3 $2.00 ea.
A strain of 'Indian Grass' with upright 3-4 ft., initially green, turning to a bronze-yellow. Attractive feathery, long, seed heads develop in late summer.

Spangle Grass (Chasmanthium latifolium) (divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Also known as Northern Sea Oats, this is a tall 3 to 4 ft. green, bamboo-like grass with very showy plumes which fade from reddish-brown to bronze. Especially attractive in fall and winter

This place also has grasses...and low prices

http://www.ecgrowers.com/

But some of the varieties are sold out already

make sure they give it to you in writing that you don't need a license to purchase. some do, some don't. I was dealing with two sister companies, one did, one didn't.

that was the problem with some of the places I found.They said you had to have a nursery license

I wish there was more interest in doing this...I'd love some hardy grasses... any ideas???

MossRose

I'm still checking places.......

I don't have a license so I'm limited......

Bluebird Nursery has lots of grasses..does anyone know if a license is required to buy from there?

If you have easy access to a Lowe's or Home Depot, you'd be surprised at the selection they have (sometimes). Lowe's seems to have more. I usually just check around whenever I'm at a place that sells plants. Local nursery, large stores like Lowes, etc.

No Lowes around here.......

I'll contact Bluebird Nursery and see what they have to say.

thanks,I really would like to do one with some of the more unusual varieties that we can't find everywhere.

Kinda thinking about using Green Mountain .
Their grasses were nice and they had a good selection,I should email them to check on how much they have available....

I would like to get in on this if it works out.

here's what they had(not sure about availibility now)

would there be any interest or should I keep looking for a place?
Grass, Ornamental Zone 4 except as noted.
Most grasses (except Phalaris) prefer full sun.. All hardy to zone four, except as noted.

* Acorus 'Ogon" (A. gramineus) (from divisions) $2.50 ea.
Bright golden-yellow variegated form of 'Sweet Flat'. Likes moist soil. Excellent companion plant in containers. Compact, 6-12 in. tall.

*Ammophilia 'Cape' (A. breviligulata 'Cape') (from divisions) $1.50 ea.
Special Cape Cod strain of 'American Beach Grass' or 'Dune Grass'. Maintenance-free, tall (2-4 ft.), thin, sharp, tough, grayish-green drought-tolerant grass native to coastal areas where it is used to prevent seaside erosion. Excellent for steep dry banks as ground cover. Easily spreads.

Bulbous Oat Grass (Arrhenatherum 'Varieg.') (from divisions) $2.00 ea.
Erect (about 12 in.), spreading grass with tuberous roots. Blades are grayish-green surrounded by a clear white margin.

'Karl Foerster' (Calamagrostis acutiflora) (divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Excellent golden displays of 2 to 3 ft. feather reed grass. Upright narrow, vertical habit. 2001 PPA 'Perennial Plant of the Year'.

Calamagrostis 'Overdam' (C. acutiflora) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Variegated with white edged erect blades in compact clumps, about 2 to 3 ft. tall. Pink plumes in early summer.

*Carex 'Bronze' (C. coomans) (divisions) zone 7 $2.50 ea.
Unique deep bronze sedge with thin, graceful 8-12 in. mounded foliage. Moist, but well drained. Excellent companion plant for mixed containers.

*Carex buchananii (divisions) zone 7 $2.00 ea.
A.k.a. 'Leatherleaf Sedge'. A tufted clump of unusual 18-24 in. copper-bronze foliage. Moist, but well drained. Excellent companion plant for mixed containers.

*Carex 'Cappuccio' (C. tenuiculmis) (divisions) zone 7 $2.50 ea.
Gracefully arching 1 ft. mounded foliage. Beautiful color variation from chocolate to red-bronze. Moist, but well drained. Excellent companion plant for mixed containers.

*Carex 'Evergold' (C. hachijoensis) (divisions) Zone 5 $5.00 ea.
A.k.a. 'Variegated Japanese Sedge'. Spectacular 12 in. arching wide creamy yellow blades with narrow green margins. For sun and part shade.

*Carex 'Gold Fountains' (C. dolichostachya) (divisions) zone 5 $4.00 ea.
From Japan, a compact 8-10 in. carex with tufts of thin foliage loned with birght gold margins. Variegation is most pronounched in full sun.

*Carex 'Toffee Twist' (C. flagellifera) (divisions) zone 7 $2.50 ea.
Evergreen toffee-colored fine foliage with a cascading, arching 2-3 ft. habit, turning coral in fall. Excellent companion plant for mixed containers.

Elymus 'Glaucus' (E. arenarius) (from divisions) zone 4 $2.00 ea.
Beautiful metallic blue-gray foliage. Blades tend to arch over at perimeter of clump. About 2 to 3 ft., depending on soil.

Fescue 'Elijah Blue' (Festuca glauca) (from divisions) $2.00 ea.
Very attractive, clumping, tidy grass (12 in.) with stunning, gray-blue, very narrow thread-like blades.

Hakonechloa 'Albo Striata' (H. macra) (divisions) Zone 5 $5.00 ea.
A.k.a 'Hakone Grass'. An unusual and elegant, dwarf (6-8 in.) broad-leaved, weeping white-striped Japanese forest grass which prefers full or partial shade. Attractive companion to Hostas.

Hakonechloa 'Aureola' (H. macra) (divisions) Zone 5 $6.00 ea.
A.k.a. 'Golden Variegated Hakone Grass'. Very showy variegated Japanese forest grass with weeping, wide, creamy yellow and green, variegated foliage, 18-24 in. Bright addition to a shady location. Slow growing.

Miscanthus 'Arabesque' (M. sinensis) (from divisions) zone 4 $2.00 ea.
Narrow green blades with fluffy, showy plumes. Tall clumps (3-4 ft.) but compact, suitable for mass planting or specimen.

*Miscanthus 'Carabet' (M. sinensis var. condensatus) (from divisions) zone 5 $3.00 ea.
A.k.a. 'Japanese Silver Grass'. Tall , (to 8 ft) very wide, ribbon-like grass with a creamy-white center and dark green margins. A specimen plant.

Miscanthus 'Gracillimus' (M. sinensis) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Commonly known as 'Maiden Grass'. Fine narrow foliage in an arch shape. Attractrive copper-red blooms in October. Full sun, well drained soil. Grows 5-7 ft.

Miscanthus 'Graziella' (M. sinensis) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Tall (5 to 6 ft.) rich green foliage with large white airy plumes at top in August which last well into fall.

* Miscanthus 'Malepartus' (M. sinensis) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
A.k.a 'Japanese Silver Grass'. Desired for its large, showy, purple-pink to silver plumes. Foliage turns from medium-green to deep-bronze in late summer. 5-7 ft.

* Miscanthus 'Morning Light' (M. sinensis) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Variegated form of 'Maiden Grass' (Gracillimus), with a distinct white edge on foliage that is otherwise identical to 'Gracillimus' More compact height, 3-5 ft.

Miscanthus 'Purpurascens' (M. sinensis) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Tall (3 to 5 ft.) green foliage which develops red coloring as summer progresses. Intense red fall coloring with cotton-like plumes.

Miscanthus 'Strictus' (M. sinensis) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
A.k.a. 'Porcupine Grass'. Tall (9 ft.) yellow banded variegated foliage, similar to Zebra grass, but more upright habit. Tolerates a wider variety of soiles, including coastal conditions with moisture.

Miscanthus 'Variegatus' (M. sinensis) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
A.k.a. 'Variegated Japanese Silver Grass'. The most popular miscanthus with white and green variegated 5-7 ft. foliage forming a wide, arching mound.

'Zebrinus' (Miscanthus sinensis) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Tall (5 to 6 ft.) Zebra grass with rich green foliage broken by horizontal yellow banded variegation. Upright somewhat narrow form.

Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) (from divisions) zone 4 $2.00 ea.
Very showy delicate pink flowers which appear to float above foliage like cotton candy.

Panicum 'Cloud Nine' (P. virgatum) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Tall 6 to 8 ft. blue-green switch grass. Upright narrow habit. Foliage turns yellow in fall. Dark red-purple blooms fading to beige.

Panicum 'Dallas Blues' (P. virgatum) (divisions) Zone 4 $2.50 ea.
One of the best tall (6 ft.) wide-leaved blue grasses. Long pale mauve flower heads turning darker in late summer or fall, yielding nice winter color.

Panicum 'Heavy Metal' (P. virgatum) (divisions) Zone 4 $2.50 ea.
A.k.a. 'Blue Switch Grass'. Blades are a metalic-blue, with a very erect habit and formal appearance. Tan colored seed heads at top of speciman,

Panicum 'Rotstrahlbusch' (P. virgatum) (from divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Also known as Red Ray's switch grass. Medium tall (3-4 ft.) with foliage turning bright red in the fall.

Panicum 'Shenandoah' (P. virgatum) (divisions) Zone 4 $2.50 ea.
A.k.a. 'Red Switch Grass'. Initially green foliage changes to a beautiful burgundy-red by mid-summer. Coloring becomes deeper burgundy-wine by fall. Height 4 ft.

Pennisetum 'Hamelin' (P. alopecuroides) (divisions) Zone 5 $2.50 ea.
An attractive dwarf fountain grass (2-3 ft.) with rich green foliage and showyseed heads opening in July turning from a greenish-white to a creamy tan. Yellow in fall.

* Pennisetum 'Karley Rose' (P. orientale) (divisions) Zone 5 $2.50 ea.
A.k.a. 'Oriental Fountain Grass'. Glossy deep green foliage in an arching clump with strinking rose-pink foxtail flower heads.

Phalaris Picta (P. arundinacea var.) (from divisions) zone 4 $2.00 ea.
Variegated ribbon grass with green and white blades. Short (12 in.), colorful ground cover. Tolerates part shade.

Phalaris 'Strawberries & Cream' (P. arundinacea) (from divisions) zone 4 $2.00 ea.
Fesey's form of ribbon grass, similar to 'picta' but pink instead of white variegation. Short, 12 in., will tolerate part shade.

Sorghastrum 'Indian Steel' (S. nutans) (divisions/seed) Zone 3 $2.00 ea.
A strain of 'Indian Grass' with upright 3-4 ft., initially green, turning to a bronze-yellow. Attractive feathery, long, seed heads develop in late summer.

Spangle Grass (Chasmanthium latifolium) (divisions) zone 5 $2.00 ea.
Also known as Northern Sea Oats, this is a tall 3 to 4 ft. green, bamboo-like grass with very showy plumes which fade from reddish-brown to bronze. Especially attractive in fall and winter.

CC: i am very interested in several varieties if we can still order.

Is the Purple Majesty Millet considered an ornamental grass? I have some left over from our Spring co-op. I really don't know much about this and really need to learn :)

oh, I've been dying for the Hakonechloa, I just couldn't ever catch the right moment.

cc, I saw many, many I'd like to have. So,,,if you decide to do this I'm certainly in.

me too, I can pick several

If it works out, I would like to participate.

OK,I called them and they said most of them are in good supply except for
Hakonechloa 'Albo Striata' (H. macra) (divisions) Zone 5 $5.00 ea.
A.k.a 'Hakone Grass'. An unusual and elegant, dwarf (6-8 in.) broad-leaved, weeping white-striped Japanese forest grass which prefers full or partial shade. Attractive companion to Hostas.

Hakonechloa 'Aureola' (H. macra) (divisions) Zone 5 $6.00 ea.
A.k.a. 'Golden Variegated Hakone Grass'. Very showy variegated Japanese forest grass with weeping, wide, creamy yellow and green, variegated foliage, 18-24 in. Bright addition to a shady location. Slow growing.

She said one of them(she thought it was the 5.00 one) is almost gone or is gone.The other is still available.

I need some suggestions as to a time limit for ordering
1 week? 2 weeks?

will she hold the Hakonechloa?? that's the one I really really want and would take either and two or three of them. just a suggestion, but since it's already late in the season, maybe a short turn around time?

I think if you ran it for a week, that would be time enough. Like Tig said, it is getting late in the season.

OK

is it limited and includes all above varieties??

yes,I put it on the co-op page,if we don't get the exact amount I'll fill in the extras myself.......

When you look at that site and they have a plant listed with a price next to it...is that for a single plant, but you have to purchase an entire flat of that certain plant? Is that how that works? So if you wanted a plant that was $.50 per plant, would you for example have to purchase a flat of 12 or whatever it comes in?

No,for the co-op I have to get 32 plants in a flat,not all the same one,mix and match,they just have to add up to 32 of the 32 size plants(they also have 72 size plants)If we don't come out with a multiple of 32 I will make up the difference with my order.
so you can order 1 of each plant or just 1 plant......

CC. is there are website for Green Mountain for us to visit??

check the co-op page,the link is there.....