29 August 2010

PANICUM MAXIMUM (VARIEGATED)

Grasses are now in the Family Poaceae (formerly Gramineae). I find it hard to get used to the changes and sometimes lose track of it.

Anyway, ornamental tufted grasses have been gaining popularity and acceptance in recent years and it is not difficult to understand why. From the small beautiful Ruby Grass (scientific name: Melinis nerviglumis) with panicles of purple flowers, to this variegated grass with panicles of wispy white flowers that sway gracefully with the wind, their long, narrow and elongated leaves coupled with the flowers have a certain understated beauty and soft look that cannot be achieved with other plants.

Seeing is believing, so visit the Car Park Garden to check out this new grass, which I believe to be a variegated form of the Panicum maximum (common name: Guinea Grass).