Hi everyone and hi Michael, Hoping someone might be able to help please. My husband and I have been looking for 'that look' for a part of our property in the Dandenong Ranges. It's on a slope with granite rocks, facing west. Today I saw a blog post by Saxon Holt which had an image of exactly what we would love to do - similar to the grass gardens I saw with you Michael on one of your workshops a couple of years ago. Trying to identify what the yellow grasses in the photo might be. The article is at https://photobotanic.com/news/autumn-in-western-gardens/ and I've uploaded the image here for you to see. We've pretty much worked out the other plants, i.e. the salvias, poa grasses, leucadendron, agave, etc.
Hi Kathie, I’m not sure if I am looking at the correct grasses, but I have some Carex testacea which is a New Zealand grass and it is quite a bronze colour if it gets enough sun. I also have one in quite deep shade that stays green. I was able to get mine from Branchout Nursery, Park Orchards if that helps.
Hi Kathie – they may be Stipa tenuissima (Mexican feathergrass) – a lovely looking grass but classified as an invasive weed here in Australia so probably unobtainable. Perhaps have a look at Austrostipa elegantissima – an Australian grass with lovely hazy seedheads – reminds me of cotinus flowers. It grows on the roadsides in the Mallee as long as it rains over winter so it is tough. I have also seen it in gardens in Sunraysia so it translates well into a garden setting. It does look a bit different in form however so it may not suit your plans. Austrostipa stipoides ( Coastal spear grass) is taller and more upright in form so it may also be an option. Good luck.
Hi Kathie, I agree with Irene. The grass in the photo looks likes mexican feather grass, which is a state prohibited weed in Victoria. (check out Vic Department of Ag for important information on this.) I’ve planted a couple of small clumps of Austrostipa elegantissima as a trial. Their seed heads are a delight.