For larger quantities please call TOLL FREE 1 800 826 3655 for quote and shipping costs.

Weeping Lovegrass - Eragróstis cúrvula

It’s the truth, that all gardeners have desires, ambitions and objectives for his or her gardening interests. They’ll always find new plants they’d like to grow but usually they come upon a dead end when it comes to getting basic growing recommendations.

Many gardeners would like to grow ornamental grasses like weeping lovegrass but aren’t to sure where to begin or how difficult it may be. Well, you might be amazed at just how effortless it is to grow weeping lovegrass if you stick to these three simple rules.

Firstly you need to make a decision about is which bed in your garden you’re going to grow your weeping lovegrass. Bear in mind, preparing is a critical facet of any gardening task and failure to decide where you’ll grow weeping lovegrass could have unforeseen results. Keep in mind that weeping lovegrass grows in densely tufted clumps approximately 36 inches in circumference and reaches a height between 24 to 36 inches.

The suggested sowing rate for weeping lovegrass is one ounce per 700 sq.ft.

A crucial aspect in the planning process is deciding whether you’re likely to grow weeping lovegrass in a container, as a accent or as a background.. By ignoring your plan, you might end up having weeping lovegrass growing where you do not want it and not growing where you do want it.

Furthermore, it’s critical to look at the plants favored growing conditions. weeping lovegrass generally grows in the southern United States in USDA Zones 7 to 10. It flourishes in full sun and has a preference for soils that are sandy and well drained despite the fact that it will grow in heavy clays.

Once you have decided where you’re going to plant your weeping lovegrass and how you’re going to proceed with it you will need to get ready your seed bed. This is as easy as raking the area to break up the soil. That’s all there is to it.

If you intend to use this ornamental grass as a background we advise that you broadcast it. This is easily achieved with a coffee can or something similar that has holes punched in its bottom. You should also use a carrier. White laundry detergent granules or white sand works well (you can see any places you’ve missed).

If you’re growing weeping lovegrass as an accent between flowers and bushes or in a container you only need to drop in a little (generally what comes in a packet) in each planter box or selected garden bed. Regardless of where you are planting your grass, once sown rake over it very lightly to guarantee the seed is coated by about 1/4 inch of soil.

The ultimate action concerns watering. For about the first four weeks you need to keep the soil moist by lightly watering it every day. As soon as the plant has become established watering once every week will suffice.

As you can see, successfully growing weeping lovegrass is not a intricate or difficult procedure. In fact, it is really a very easy process. Moreover, once your weeping lovegrass has become established it is just a extremely low maintenance plant and extremely effective in the role of an ornamental grass.

Available In:

Weeping Lovegrass Packet $2.00 Weeping Lovegrass 1/4 Pound $150.00 Weeping Lovegrass One Pound $500.00

For quantities over 5 (five) pounds please call for quote and shipping costs.

Many gardeners would really like to grow ornamental grasses like for example, alkali sacaton but aren’t to sure where to begin or how difficult it may be. Well, you could be surprised at just how uncomplicated it is to grow alkali sacaton if you comply with these three straightforward actions.

One thing you need to determine is which section of your garden you’re going to grow your alkali sacaton. Keep in mind, organizing is a crucial factor of any gardening task and failing to plan where you’ll grow alkali sacaton may have unforeseen consequences. Keep in mind that alkali sacaton develops in clumps of green foliage that are around 24 inches wide and attains a height between 36 and 60 inches. The suggested planting rate for alkali sacaton is one ounce for every 700 square feet.

An important part in the planning process is deciding if you’re going to grow alkali sacaton in a container, as a accent or as a background.. By ignoring your plan, you could end up with alkali sacaton developing where you don’t want it and not growing where you do want it.

Furthermore, it’s essential to look at the plants ideal growing environment. alkali sacaton generally grows in the mid west and western United States in Zones 3 to 10. It thrives in full sun and likes soils that are of soil types even though it will tolerate those that are salty..

Once you have made a decision on where you’re going to plant your alkali sacaton and how you’re going to proceed with it y to loosen the soil. That’s it.

If you intend to use this ornamental grass as a background we advise that you broadcast it. This is easily achieved with a coffee can or something similar that has holes punched in its bottom. You should also use a carrier. White laundry detergent granules or white sand works well (you can see any places you’ve missed).

If you’re growing alkali sacaton as an accent between flowers and bushes or in a pot you only need to drop in a touch (generally what comes in a packet) in each container or chosen area. Regardless of where you are planting your seed, once planted rake over it very softly to guarantee the seed is protected by about 1/4 inch of soil.

The ultimate stage concerns watering. During the first year weeks you are required to keep the garden bed moist by lightly watering it on a daily basis. After the plant has become established watering once every as required will suffice.

By now you realize that, planting and growing alkali sacaton is not a complex or involved procedure. In fact, it is actually a very easy process. Moreover, once your alkali sacaton has become established it is a very minimal maintenance plant and extremely successful as an ornamental plant.

Fall Decorations with Broom Corn

Introduction

Broom corn (Sorghum vulgare) is not only a hardy annual plant, it’s a beautiful plant that can last for years following harvest.  This fact makes broom corn a plant that has numerous uses. As the botanical name suggests, broomcorn is a variety of sorghum resembling a tall grass that forms imposing and colorful tassel like, fan-shaped seed heads 16 to 20 inches long rather than of ears of corn.

History

Benjamin Franklin is recognized as introducing broomcorn to the United States in the early 1700s.  In 1797 farmer Levi Dickenson from Hadley, Massachusetts, used a bundle of broom corn to make an extremely good broom for his wife and word of mouth took over.

This success led Dickinson to begin producing and selling straw brooms throughout his community, although the business did not really take off until 1810 when Dickinson invented a foot-treadle broom machine that made better brooms more quickly. By 1834 commercial broom corn production had spread to several Northeast states and began moving west. Small broom shops began to crop up all over the west and tens of thousands of acres of broom corn were grown annually, particularly in the mid-west where broom corn grew exceedingly well and still does today.

Broom Corn Resurgence

Today, broom corn is making a resurgence, but not as a plant used for making brooms. It’s now being used as a fashionable ornamental plant in garden beds and for borders by discriminating landscapers and gardeners. The gently waving, colorful and heavily-laden seed heads will add visually stimulating dimensions to your garden that are difficult to achieve with other plants.

Broom corn is also being grown, harvested and dried to use in fall (autumn) wreaths and arrangements rather corn because of it’s striking and unusual characteristics. It can be used in conjunction with other plants or very effectively by itself. Simply placing a few stems in an earthen vase with a couple of pumpkins around the bottom can provide a surprisingly sophisticated yet very simple decoration.

While it’s possible to buy cuttings of broom corn, it’s rather expensive and you may not be able to get the color(s) and or stem length you require. It’s also possible that the seed heads will begin to fall apart during shipping, which defeats the purpose unless you’re making brooms. With this in mind the best approach is to grow your own. By doing this you’ll get the best of both worlds.

1. You’ll reap the benefits of having a unique and exceptionally eye-catching addition to your garden.
2. You’ll feel enormously proud and satisfied that you’ve been able to grow your own broom corn and then harvest it to use in your very own fall and/or Thanksgiving decorations.

And don’t worry, growing broom doesn’t require a PhD in horticulture to be grown successfully.

Simple Steps for Growing Broom Corn

Broom Corn Seedling

Broomcorn is a resilient plant and because it’s generally impervious to insect pests and mold, it’s pretty easy to grow. Broom corn is best planted sometime between May 1 and June 15. However, it should only be planted after all chances of frost have past and the soil is warm. A good rule of thumb is about 2 weeks after the last frost. It should also be planted in areas that will receive full sunlight for the duration of the growing cycle.

Depending on your requirements broom corn can be planted a couple of ways. If you want to harvest the plant for use in crafts etc. the seeds should be placed at a depth of about 1”, with seeds about 3-4” apart and in rows that are approximately 2-3 feet apart. This ensures that the large seed heads have sufficient space to mature in. At the same time it also helps prevent the stalks from bending over from the weight of the seed head. As broom corn grows to a height of 10-12 feet make sure the area you’re going to plant in will accommodate the plants height.

If on the other hand, you’re growing broom corn for ornamental purposes it can be planted much closer together. Keep in mind however; if you allow it to self-seed in succeeding years it won’t take long for it to become crowded. The first shoots will appear in about 7-10 days and will be ready to harvest around 90 to 110 days after planting. The plants should be watered frequently.

The seed heads mature in the fall in striking shades of red, black, amber and brown and is ready to harvest when the plant turns from a yellow to green color and before the seeds completely mature. It can be easily harvested with a sharp knife by cutting the plant with a long stem. It can be dried out easily by simply hanging it upside down or by laying it out on a flat surface or drying rack. If you want to make a broom you can remove the seeds with an ordinary hair comb or by lightly hitting the seed heads against a flat surface.

Conclusion

In sum, Broom corn is a robust annual plant that’s easy to grow and that will live on for many years after being harvested in the form of decorative wreaths, bouquets or as a broom. In addition to its craft uses broomcorn can also be grown as a rather stunning ornamental. The seed can also be used a bird feed. Lorenz’s OK Seeds, LLC has freshly harvested broom corn seed in red, black, or mixed available now. And remember, you can keep your seed fresh by simply storing it in a freezer until the following growing season begins. Moreover, buying seed early means that you may be able to save money as seed supplies do decrease and thus become more expensive as the growing season draws closer.

Available In:

Packet $2.00 Ounce $8.00 1/4 Pound $15.00 One Pound $48.00

Color

Red Black Mixed

For quantities over 5 (five) pounds please call TOLL FREE 1 800 826 3655 for quote and shipping costs.

Bulk Orders and Shipping Rates

For larger quantities call Freddie Toll Free 1 800 826 3655 for a quote.
Shipping and Sales Tax (Oklahoma only) added in cart. For orders over 5 pounds please call for a bulk shipping rate. Quantities required can be changed within your shopping cart.

Download Broom Corn Seed Test.pdf format.

The Dramatic Expression of Ornamental Grasses

Click Here to View Our Wide Variety of Ornamental Grasses.

Ornamental grasses are becoming increasingly popular as garden and landscaping plants because they provide attention-grabbing qualities that are rarely found in other ornamental plants. Including ornamental grasses in any size garden results in a stunning, low maintenance addition that can not only add a unique background for your garden but will also provide texture, form, motion and sound to a garden, not to mention the vast palette of colors and their attractive and often colorful and shapely seed heads. As such, you can use ornamental grasses in much the same way that you use any flower, shrub or tree.

Ornamental grasses range from a few inches to several feet high and their variations in width are just as vast and they can be grown in most zones across the USA. While no “maintenance free” plants exist, ornamental grasses are about as close as you can get and tend to require little maintenance once they have been planted. However, ornamental grasses do have the same fundamental requirements as other plants including; suitable light, well-drained soil, sufficient water and intermittent trimming. There are also warm and cool season grasses available and this simply refers to when they bloom.

The majority of ornamental grasses favor full sun although there are a few species that will tolerate light shade.

Ornamental Grasses can be Used in Unusual and Extremely Effective Ways

Ornamental grasses thrive in a wide range of soil pH and will germinate based on soil temperature.  When planting your make sure you allow enough room for growth. Like most perennials, grasses may not reach their full size potential until their third year in the ground.  Grasses can also be mixed together to contrast size, shape, and foliage color. It also doesn’t hurt to mulch your grasses with organic material in the fall to protect their roots and any shoots from freezing. The use of compost or fertilizer is also a good idea at this time since grasses tend to be nitrogen hungry. However, they don’t require high amounts of fertilizer.

For any gardener ornamental grasses should be viewed as the plants that add dramatic flair to their garden. The gentle waving motion of the grasses, and the accompanying sounds create a very peaceful atmosphere within your garden.  These animated movements also change with the seasons; the look and sounds made by green and dry grasses are worlds apart. This is why many gardeners leave their ornamental grasses standing throughout the winter, just to get these dramatic effects. This is particularly the case when 3-5 different types of grass are clumped together and doesn’t even take into consideration their unique range of foliage, textures, shape, colors, attractive flowers and seed heads.

Including ornamental grasses will not only add to the aesthetic appeal of your garden but will give it a natural elegance often lacking in traditional gardens.  Growing ornamental grasses from seed is easy and will provide you with the greatest possibilities in both variety selection and design possibilities.  In addition to their unique beauty, ornamental grasses do not require special care and are not susceptible to pests and diseases. As a final note keep in mind that native ornamental grasses are resistant to common pests and provide food (foliage, fruit or seeds) and cover for songbirds, small animals and beneficial insects.

And remember, you can keep your seed fresh by simply storing it in a freezer until the following growing season begins. Moreover, buying seed early means that you may be able to save money as seed supplies do decrease and thus become more expensive as the growing season draws closer.

Click Here to View Our Wide Variety of Ornamental Grasses.