Lakeshore Garden Centres Plant Finder

Description:

A lovely, easy to grow ornamental grass that shows off interesting black and green seed heads - resembling caterpillars, looping atop tall tufts of foliage; foliage turns a lovely deep chocolate brown in the winter; drought tolerant, great for gardens

Ornamental Features

Freeda® Compact Black Caterpillar Grass' grassy leaves are green in colour on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous dark brown in the fall. The brown seed heads are carried on spikes in mid summer.

Landscape Attributes

Freeda® Compact Black Caterpillar Grass is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Freeda® Compact Black Caterpillar Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Freeda® Compact Black Caterpillar Grass will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 inches. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

This plant is not reliably hardy in our region, and certain restrictions may apply; contact the store for more information.