Re: big variegated grass

I can't think of any really similar look alikes as
alternatives to the variegated Pampas grass, but
perhaps some of the Phormiums or Astelia chathamica
would come closest.  Certainly there are a wealth of
large growing grasses, with Tiger Grass, Thysanolea
maxima a beautiful clumper, and things like
Muhlenbergia dumosa/Bamboo Muhly another nice largish
yet airy clumping grass.  A California native might
include Leymus condensatus 'Canyon Prince' which is
quite dramatic when full grown, with showy
inflorescences and very nice blue foliage.  A wealth
of Miscanthus species to choose from as well, but I
tend to think of these are looking somewhat out of
place and also a fire hazard with all that winter
dormant foliage, maybe more visually appropriate in
areas with real winters and no potential Santa Ana
winds and fires in winter.
--- yarrow@sfo.com wrote:

> At 11:19 AM -0800 11/16/07, N Sterman wrote:
> Lots of talk in my world about alternatives to
> pampass grass.  Little 
> discussion about what to use in place of variegated
> pampass (which is 
> supposed to be sterile but can be confusing for
> novices).  Any 
> suggestions?
> >>
> 
> Does it have to be variegated? If not, deergrass and
> calif. fescue 
> are well-behaved (if less spectacular and much
> smaller) natives; and 
> some of the large restios are dramatic and green.
> For bulk and 
> presence and movement, look at some clumping bamboos
> -- Otatea does 
> well here. For light-catching, mountain mahoganies
> (or clematis on a 
> trellis) are without peer. For verticality, how
> about some corn 
> plants? (or a sculpture, if it has to be changeless
> no matter what 
> the season). Another good plant for movement is
> fairy wand.
> 
> I wouldn't frame the discussion as what to use
> "instead" of a noxious 
> weed; if I were writing about this, I'd discuss the
> problems pampas 
> grass causes, making its use in any new landscape a
> nonissue.
> 
> Tanya Kucak
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