Splendor in the grass
December 19, 2010
Yeah, I know this is likely invasive King Ranch bluestem—with perhaps the reddish stems of little bluestem mixed in?—but I find it absolutely beautiful along the shoulders of MoPac and Loop 360 at this time of year. What can I say? The human race is pretty invasive, but I find us beautiful too.
I snapped this pre-sunrise image along Loop 360 where we’d stopped to look at the anonymously decorated Christmas trees.
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Beautiful photo!!
Thanks, Amy. —Pam
That is so gorgeous! I’m missing this Texas winter but I’ll get to see it next year. In high school I had a vase of that red grass that I had dried. It was so pretty for the longest time. I’ve been wondering what it was ever since!
I’m not certain of the ID, Kelly, but maybe someone will confirm. —Pam
I’ve always loved winter grasses. Sometimes they remind me of lion’s fur.
(I’m new to your blog and I’ve been very much enjoying your lovely photography and commentary. Thank you for the peak of the world from your gardener’s eye.)
Thanks for your comment, Suzy! Yes, these grasses really do look like lion’s fur. In fact, my daughter called it lion grass. —Pam
Lovely feathery subtle color. God’s design is often the best.
I’m glad you enjoyed the grasses too, Garden Sense. —Pam
Just gorgeous! Love the colors and textures.
Thanks, Caroline. —Pam
I love the colors in the grasses. I’m still thinking about what you said about the invasive grass and people.
Thanks for stopping by, Sue. I hope you have a lovely holiday. —Pam
That is a very beautiful image. It almost looks like a painting.
Thanks, Donna. I’m glad you enjoyed it. —Pam
It looks like fine fur! Lovely.
My daughter calls it lion grass. 😉 —Pam
The grasses are always a favorite…loved your comment about people being invasive yet beautiful…well said. Still a bit stunned at the comment “pre-sunrise” – that’s early!
Well, to be precise, the sun was already up, but it didn’t reach us until it crested a pretty tall hill along Loop 360. So it wasn’t as early as you might think! —Pam
This photo looks like a painting. This is a hillside that I would want to fling myself down on the ground and watch the clouds roll by. Or maybe in this case traffic. Ha..
You’d have to be careful of fire ants before flinging yourself down on a hillside (or even a tamed lawn) in Austin, Lisa. Sad but true. Those pests have ruined picnics and cloud-watching for us. —Pam
Those pesky invasives can be lovely and this photo is beautiful~gail
Thanks, Gail. Have a wonderful Christmas! —Pam
Lovely photo. You’re right, the reddish is little bluestem. I love that grass.
We have the same kind of views marching across the front and sides of our yard–the parts that were designated wildflower swathe. KRB is a plague. The grass expert at a San Antonio preserve told me there is no way to eradicate it–not burning, poisoning or burying. The only thing that works is to shade it out. And for that we’d have to knock it back and somehow get tall native grasses to outgrow it.
Thanks for the positive ID of the little bluestem, Kathleen. The King Ranch bluestem does sound very invasive indeed. —Pam
I love you. The human race is invasive, but beautiful. Couldn’t have said it better myself. That grass is stunning. Took my breath away. Merry almost Christmas.~~Dee
And a merry Christmas to you too, Dee! Thanks for stopping by. —Pam
I *love* winter grasses and you’ve captured them beautifully Pam. There’s something magical and almost wave-like about them. Just beautiful!