Coming Soon: Ornamental Grass Garden at the Conservatory

Before and after the ornamental grass plantings outside the East Wing of the Conservatory.

Between now and September we’ll be building a new Ornamental Grass Garden in front of the Conservatory.
• This garden will replace 9,200 sq. feet of existing traditional turf with attractive, low maintenance ornamental grasses, and will showcase sustainable best-practices in one of the most prominent sites on our property.
• Once established, these grasses will require little-to-no watering, and their deep roots will reduce stormwater runoff by encouraging infiltration of rain water into the local water table.
• These grasses also provide valuable habitat and food for insects, birds and larger animals, encouraging a more robust local ecosystem.
This project was designed by Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden staff: Horticulturists Leah Purdy and Karin Stretchko, and Gardener Chris Brown. Plantings will include prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis), purple muhlygrass (Muhlenbergia capillaris), switchgrass ‘Northwind’ (Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’) and plume grass (Saccharum ravennae) that were tested here at the garden, so we know they will do well in this environment.
The Ornamental Grass Garden has been made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor.

Before and after the ornamental grass plantings outside the East Wing of the Conservatory.

Plantings will include Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis), Purple Muhlygrass (Muhlenbergia capillaris), Switchgrass ‘Northwind’ (Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’) and Plume Grass (Saccharum ravennae).