Plant Library

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Other Names:  Field Lovegrass

Description:

This fine textured, warm season grass produces soft white plumes that sway in the wind in summer, turning tan by fall; clumps can be divided in spring; visually stunning when massed

Ornamental Features

Elliott's Love Grass features showy plumes of white flowers rising above the foliage from mid summer to early fall. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive grassy leaves remain bluish-green in color throughout the season. The tan seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from mid to late fall.

Landscape Attributes

Elliott's Love Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Self-Seeding

Elliott's Love Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Elliott's Love Grass will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity extending to 30 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 30 inches. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is native to parts of North America. It can be propagated by division.

Elliott's Love Grass is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.