Head grower Andy Babikow recently spent a week hiking the Appalachian Trail in Maine, where he met up with his through-hiking fiend, I mean friend, Pete, a lean mean trekking machine who had started over 1,100 miles south in West Virginia. Together, they tackled the infamous 100-Mile Wilderness to trail's end atop Mount Katahdin. I'm tired just writing about it. As you read this, I'll be homeward bound from the FarWest Show in Portland, Oregon. And I will most definitely not be walking.

We're proud to help sponsor this first annual event by proprietor Brent Horvath, author, grower/breeder and rising star in new plant introductions. Emerald Coast Growers is a licensed propagator of many Intrinsic introductions, with more in trials.

Andropogon gerardii 'Rain Dance'

Some favorites: Andropogon gerardii 'Rain Dance', 'Red October', 'Blackhawks': Tough, self-sufficient big bluestem is justly famed for restoring damaged soil and compromised sites. But it was never considered pretty until Brent found multicolored beauty in the beast, while retaining its minimal-maintenance mojo. Festuca x 'Cool as Ice' is, as advertised, keeping its cool blue demeanor through the heat of this PA summer. Tallest of our blue fescues. Pennisetum 'Piglet', 'Ginger Love' and 'Red Head': A flowing fountain of fountain grass varieties keeps things interesting in this important genus. Sedum 'Thundercloud' Sedum 'Thundercloud': Maverick plantsman Tony Avent declares he'd grow this one for its unique, toothy grey/green foliage alone.

Andropogon gerardii 'Red October' Festuca x 'Cool as Ice'

 

But I digress. Back to Ornamental Grass Day: Brent will lead tours, refreshments will be served, and two excellent speakers will entertain and enlighten you:

-- John Greenlee, author, designer and "Guru of Grasses."

-- Jeff Epping, Director of Horticulture at Olbrich Botanic Garden.

To register: sales@intrinsicperennialgardens.com or 815-648-2788.

 

This has become an important fall event, and unlike the others listed here, it's free! There will be seminars, new varieties, pesticide news, a white elephant sale and a trade show. It's all in the Convention Center downtown, near great restaurants and historic treasures like America's oldest continuously-operated farmers' market.

 

Spring Break - In Autumn?

Ease the pressure on your tightly-wound spring with fall-planted perennial grasses. With a pre-bulked root mass going into winter, all your plants have to do next year is (a) push out lush new top growth, and (b) ship.

This ploy works for many genera, but we particularly recommend:

■ Acorus: Versatile little cuties that make great edging and ground cover, and can even handle moist sites. ■ Festuca: Our four blue fescues love a head-start. Try the newcomers, Beyond Blue and 'Cool As Ice'. With improved heat tolerance and color retention, they'll put a good spin on your summertime blues. ■ Miscanthus: Benefits greatly from fall potting. It'll still need warm feet and long days to really take off, but you'll see a difference. ■ Pennisetum: Don't try this trick with annual types like 'Rubrum', obviously, but it's great for P. alopecuroides, messiacum and orientale. Build a firm foundation under that crown, and give yourself a well-earned spring break. Here's a little extra incentive: Plant in fall, and the heat is free.

Acorus gramineus Minimus Aureus