unidentified fabulous grass/sedge (Chloris virgata)

I’ve gone through a couple online plant catalogues this morning and checked out the online index to John Greenlee’s Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses. Nada. Still no ID. I brought this grass home from Western Hills long ago, when Maggie Wych was running the Northern Californian nursery after the original owners bequeathed it to her. The grass has been an afterthought since then, not much more than a memento from Western Hills straggling along in too much shade, placed too close to pathways where it gets a good stomping, never watered. Blades are dark green. I usually forget about it until a few of these sparkly, tassel-like flowers appear.

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Like the nursery Western Hills, this grass is a survivor. Last fall I moved it into a full-sun position, just to test its mettle even further. I also wanted to get it away from my clumsy feet trodding on it, breaking those beautiful tassels. It handled with aplomb temps that precipitously climbed into the 90s the past two days. I think it’s proven itself. It deserves a name. Any grassophiles out there, help would be appreciated. About a foot high, topping 2 feet when in bloom. Evergreen here. A small division this fall is offered in exchange for a name. Email me if you don’t want to guess in public.


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unknown grass with Orlaya grandiflora and Ursinia sericea

Edited 5/17/13: Thanks to Stacie at Western Hills for contacting Maggie Wych (former owner of Western Hills). The grass is Chloris virgata, the feather windmill grass.

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6 Responses to unidentified fabulous grass/sedge (Chloris virgata)

  1. Scott Weber says:

    I’m not sure (at atll) but if I had to guess, I’d say maybe (MAYBE) Cynodon aethiopicus?

  2. Susan says:

    That is awesome grass. It looks like fireworks on a stick. Great photos!
    Susan

  3. D's Farmlette says:

    I wish I knew the name of this grass. It is really attractive. Looks like fireworks!

  4. maggie wych says:

    Sarah, the grass is chloris (as in Leachman ) virgata…we grew it by the pond at Western Hills and It was stunning in small bouquets in a Marthastewarty sort of fabulous way. I loved it. It’s easy from seed and indeed, if happy it will seed around profusely. You can also make divisions. I’d be thrilled to have a smidgeon at some point! Lost your number.
    Please call.
    Cheers M

  5. Denise says:

    Thanks to all who offered possible ID’s in comments as well as emailing me privately.
    Maggie, I’d love to send you a bit of this chloris whenever and wherever you like.

  6. John Whatmough says:

    Hi Maggie,
    Just seen your post about the mystery grass. My wife Bernardine (nee Pilling)from Holy Family parish, Denton, where we still live, is trying to make contact with you again. have tried a number of routes linked to you but no joy so far. She would love to hear from you. 01613364841 TP

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