B 57, good to read your words again. I've had similar issues w/ Karl Foerster (spelling) that you have mentioned. I just let Âem grow and they seemed to come back quite well w/ a few curled over stalks. Those I just cut out. One thing you must be aware of is the possibility for mold or mildew to start growing on the stalks. Air movement is very critical. I was very late in trimming back my grasses this year, spent too much time closing out my job for early retirement, and now we are suffering the ill effects of late trimming. Most all of the grasses are retarded in their growth and Karl is suffering the most as in 3 of the five plants are not responding well if at all. Again air movement in your grass beds is very important and the spacing will assure that sun gets to all of the grass plant and not just the tops. Ornamental grasses, the man's perennial. Jake

My vote would be for Karl Foerster. It's got a very tidy upright look to it. Plant now only if you can give it plenty of attention the next 2 to 3 weeks. Wouldn't hurt to wait until late August. Karl's a cool season grower.

KF is a cool-season grass. In your climate, it would probably have bloomed in April or maybe May. I suspect your plants were just too immature at the normal blooming time.

Just an addition to this thread. I live very near an incredible nursery in Oregon callled Joy Creek. From them I learned to use very fine gravel as a mulch for many of my gardens and virtually all my grasses. I also plant the grasses with some fine gravel mixed in. It allows the roots to penetrate, provides great drainage. No fertilizer other than a sprinkle of pure nitrogen (blue chip -- urea) in the early spring to help with lush leaf growth throughout the whole season. Most grasses need little water beyond getting started and in the hottest stretches of weather (days of 90 plus with no break). 3 cheers for Morning light miscanthus!! One of the very finest grasses ever to grace the earth.