Blog Archive

Grasses at a Glance 2026

field of squirreltail barley

Identifying squirreltail barley

Grasses at a Glance
While working in tallgrass prairie restorations in central Minnesota, I was responsible for identifying and recording presence and abundance of native and non-native plants. I remember coming upon a clearing that was full of squirreltail barley, Hordeum jubatum, which seemed to form a...
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Clumps of feather reed grass in a garden

Taking a look at Feather Reed Grass

Grasses at a Glance
When it comes to plant selections in landscaping, much of the focus is typically put on trees, shrubs, and showy flowers. But take a closer look at many landscaped areas and you’ll often find a few grasses. Grasses are underappreciated but can often provide four season interest in the landscape....
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grass flowers

Time to think about crabgrass

Grasses at a Glance
Crabgrass isn’t usually a problem until summertime, but effective management starts this spring. Many cultural choices, like how often and how high you mow your lawn, can impact the ability of crabgrass to establish.  About crabgrassThere are several species of crabgrass in Illinois, but the...
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