Native grasses identified for use in western US urban landscapes
As natural resources dwindle across the globe, low-maintenance and low-input plant materials are gaining favor for use in urban landscapes. The popularity of ornamental grasses for use in landscapes, parks, median strips, parking lot borders, and for erosion control on slopes is increasing steadily. These ornamental plants are an integral part of ecological systems worldwide, offering aesthetic value and significant economic benefits. A team of scientists from the US Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service and Utah State University evaluated a collection of native fine-leaved Festuca for the grasses' potential use in urban landscapes in the western US. The research revealed a variety of native grasses suitable for these purposes.