Grasses

In Europe, the term “grasses” includes grass-like plants from the

grasses (Poaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) families. They are

the core components of vegetation and determine the character of many plant communities, such as prairies or steppes. One of their common features are rather inconspicuous flowers adapted to pollination by the wind. These flowers, however, are often grouped into striking inflorescences.

True grasses are represented in our garden by wild prairie and steppe species, such as beard grass (Andropogon), fescue (Festuca) or feather grass (Stipa). We also grow an assortment of ornamental cultivars, which can be found in most expositions. These are mostly silvergrass (Miscanthus), panicgrass (Panicum), fountaingrass (Pennisetum) and similar. The collection of cold hardy bamboos (we have about 30 species) is also an attractive group. More recent additions include new cultivars of the following species: beard grass (Andropogon), panicgrass (Panicum), moor grass (Molinia), Indiangrass (Sorghastrum), fountaingrass (Pennisetum) and others. From wild species, you can find representatives of the North American short-stemmed prairie, e.g. Muhlenbergia capillaris, Muhlenbergia reverchonii, Eragrostis spectabilis. 

Sedges are represented mainly by the extensive collection of the Carex genus. It currently includes nearly 170 taxa and more than a half of them has been acquired from localized plant collectings. The rush family (Juncaceae) is represented by the Juncus and wood-rush (Luzula) genera. In total, there are about 50 wild and cultivated taxa. A significant part of them belongs to sedges and rushes from the Czech Republic. This collection is now almost complete.

Future development of the collection will focus on wild grass species in geographical expositions. We will also continue to develop our assortment of ornamental grasses. We would like to focus mainly on North American prairie grasses and also on drought-resistant species. 

Furthermore, we will develop the collection of all three families present in the Czech Republic.

From the Poaceae family, we will always select only specific species. Priority will be given to

more endangered species. Given local conditions, the collection of grasses from

sandy areas and dry steppes is of great importance.