DIY Network

This native grass makes a good substitution for Japanese Blood Grass

• Medium upright ornamental grass with red leaf tips and burgundy fall color
  
• Plant in full sun
  
• Plant in rich, but well-drained soil
  
• Prune back to ground in late winter to early spring; fertilize in spring
  
• Divide every few years in early spring
  
• Height: 3-4 feet Width: 2 feet
  
• Hardy in zones 5-9:
  • Zone 5: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after first frost to prevent winter heaving; remove mulch in spring; avoid exposure to salt; plant may flop over in heavy snow or ice.
    
  • Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; remove mulch in spring; plant may flop over in heavy snow or ice.
    
  • Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; remove mulch in spring; plant may flop over in heavy snow or ice.
    
  • Zone 8: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; remove mulch in spring.
    
  • Zone 9: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; remove mulch in spring.

• Deciduous perennial produces clumps of grassy foliage and 6-inch bearded flowers with white petals and yellow beards in late spring to early summer; reblooming
  
• Plant in rich, moist, but well-drained soil
  
• Plant in full sun to light shade
  
• Remove dead foliage in fall; divide rhizomes after blooming in summer
  
• Height: 2-4 feet; Width: 2-4 feet, spreading
  
• Hardy in USDA zones 3-9:
  
  
  • Zone 3: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
    
  • Zone 4: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
    
  • Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
    
  • Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; apply extra mulch after first hard frost.
    
  • Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; apply extra mulch after first hard frost.
    
  • Zone 8: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade.
    
  • Zone 9: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade.

• Mounding perennial with fern-like foliage and yellow flowers in spring through summer
  
• Plant in well-drained soil
  
• Plant in full sun to light shade
  
• Shear back after initial flush to promote reblooming; divide in spring if needed
  
• Height: 12-24 inches; Width: 12-18 inches, spreading somewhat aggressively
  
• Hardy in USDA zones 4-9:
  • Zone 4: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; pull back mulch in spring; avoid contact with salt.
    
  • Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; pull back mulch in spring; avoid contact with salt.
    
  • Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; pull back mulch in spring
    
  • Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade.
    
  • Zone 8: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade.
    
  • Zone 9: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade.

• Spider mites like junipers
  
• To check for spider mites, cut a limb off your juniper tree and slap it onto a white card. If you see little bitty red, orange, or yellow dots that are scurrying around, you have spider mites.
  
• To control spider mites, regularly hose down the plants because spider mites don't like humidity.
  
• With the advice of a knowledgeable garden expert, you could use a mitecide to control them.