Tangled Branches: Cultivated
happenings in and around my zone 6b gardens in northern Virginia and in central Virginia
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Winter Color: Brown
It's hard to say whether gray or brown is the predominant winter color in central Virginia.
Still, the slanting light of this time of year creates some pretty effects, and the leaf carpet is particularly nice after a rain when the color darkens.
One of the prettier sunlit effects comes from this broomsedge. 
Initially I thought this grass might be Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), but after some reading and study I sadly concluded it was Common Broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus). It really is common around here too - considered a weed. Most of the year you wouldn't notice it. I don't anyway. But beginning in late fall, the upright clumps turn a very noticeable golden tan color and you see them everywhere.
Apparently, I can be forgiven for thinking it might be Little Bluestem. The overall effect is very similar, but in winter Broomsedge appears more golden than Little Bluestem's rusty color. Also, the seed heads are rather different according to this herbarium sheet, and this illustration.
Regardless of its status as a common weed, I think it's pretty, but I may plant Little Bluestem for comparison.
Also brown, but not in the grass:
Grasshoppers in the woods in January?!?
Update, January 15: Just discovered this excellent page about Broomsedge and its virtues. Most of the web pages I found want to tell you how to get rid of Broomsedge, but this one tells you how pretty it is in winter.
Labels: andropogon, broomsedge, grasses, plants for winter
6 Comments:
Did the grasshopper have a small fiddle beside him??
I get frustrated with wild grasses at this time of year, trying to figure out what they are. Of course, if I knew what they were when they were green and in flower it would help, but some of them are those, "I must get out my flora of NS book and key these out" projects that never get done.
We have a lot of grey and brown too, but also happily the evergreens, and interestingly, the grass is still green in places; probably because it was insulated by all that snow, now gone.
Jodi: I didn't notice any fiddles, but maybe it was hidden under the leaves ;-)
I know what you mean about keying out the grasses in the summer - too many other interesting wildflowers/weeds to look at then and too many garden chores. I bought a slim volume this summer - Guide to the Grasses of the Northeast (or something like that) and I've barely opened the cover. Next season.....
You know what they say about weeds, they're just plants growing where you don't want them. So many of our prairie plants have been called "weeds," including Little Bluestem. The only Andropogon I'm familiar with is A. gerardii, Big Bluestem, which is, obviously, much taller than Little Bluestem. The Broomsedge is an attractive plant.
That grasshopper is dressed to blend in with the leaves on the ground. I'm surprised you saw it!
I think the color of your winter is definitely brown.
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
Lovely photos of light through the trees and closeup of the grass. The low light makes for interesting photos. That's one tough 'hopper. It looks well armored too.
Mr. McGregor's Daughter: So true about weeds, and so hard to convince some people otherwise (spouse with lawnmower). After I wrote this post I found that several merchants are selling Broomsedge, so I guess we're not the only ones who think it's attractive.
Carol: I wouldn't have noticed the grasshopper if it hadn't moved, but there were a surprising number of insects out and about that day.
Ki: One nice thing about this time of year is the light, but I'd trade it for a few more flowers. I went out planning to take photos of winter color and just happened to notice the light through the trees.
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