In my neighborhood, the burnished hues of oak leaves and tawny beiges of dormant grasses say "autumn" like no other combination. By choosing grasses for your garden plans, you will get form and texture in every season, low-maintenance plants and a link that will reinforce your garden's connection with the natural landscape. Do some research and the warm colors and luminosity of grasses will enliven your winter palette for next year.

Silky thread grass
Name: Nasella (Stipa) tenuissima
Zones: 7-11
Size: 18-24 inches tall by same width.
Description: This small clumping, ornamental grass is an annual in our area but it can stand up to our Midwest heat and humidity. The bright-green, feathery foliage creates a waterfall-like texture and shape. It is happy in full sun to partial shade when planted in a well-drained soil mixture. This is an environmentally friendly plant with virtually no real pests or diseases.

Tip: Its beautifully mounded shape works well in containers, planted in large drifts or backlit by the sun or artificial lighting at night. Available at www.highcountrygardens.com.

Siskiyou Blue Idaho Fescue Grass
Name:Festuca idahoensis 'Siskiyou Blue'
Zones: 5-9
Size: 18 inches tall by 15 inches wide. Description: The thin leaves of this new selection are noted for their clean spruce-blue color. The foliage is longer than the more well-known Festuca glauca that gives it a soft and graceful appearance. It's airy, tan seedheads stand tall and straight in late spring.,br>Tip: Looks great with silver-leaved plants such as Stachys 'Silver Carpet.' Available at www.highcountrygardens.com.

'Carousel Little Bluestem
Name: Schizachyrium Scoparium 'Carousel'
Zones: 3-8
Size: 18 inches tall by 15 inches wide.
Description: It is a compact grass that remains upright throughout winter. Summer foliage is blue-green with streaks of pink. Fall turns it into copper, pink, beige and mahogany colors. Tolerates poor soil and drought. This new cultivar has been tested by top horticultural experts under Northern growing conditions as part of the Chicagoland Grows program.
Tip: Visit www.chicagolandgrows.org for local sources that offer this.

Green tips
Enter the 'Zero Waste Christmas' Contest GoGreenOnline.com is preparing people for the best green holidays ever.

"We're coming up on one of the most consume-and-spend parts of the year. With all the challenges in the economy, we think it's a perfect time to rethink the holidays and aim for zero waste, maximum joy. Were calling this the Zero Waste Christmas," says Christine McCaull, CEO and co-founder of GoGreenOnline. com

"It involves a few things, like looking for recyclable or compostable packaging and wrapping, or rethinking your giving. For example, with physical gifts, less really is more."

We like William Morris' adage: if it's not needed or beautiful, then leave it on the shelf.  "Although we offer many suggestions and ideas for zero-waste holidays at GoGreenOnline.com," McCaull says, "we want to hear what works from you."

Send your ideas, videos or photographs to www.GoGreenOnline.com. The 10 best and most original suggestions as determined by a community vote will receive $100 gift prizes.

Firewood alert: The Morton Arboretum reminds people who are stocking up on firewood for the winter season that the Emerald Ash borer can easily be transported in ash logs.

Tips: Purchase firewood locally from a known source.  Use all of the wood in the cold months so that no larvae or adult ash borers will survive through the spring. Monitor the health of ash trees in your vicinity. Look for dead or dying branches at the top of the tree's crown.

Contact the experts for more information:

1. The Morton Arboretum Plant Clinic at (630) 719-2424; www.mortonarb.org.

2. The City of Chicago at (312) 74BEETL.

3. The University of Illinois Extension office in your county. Find an office in your area at (217) 333-5900; web.extension.uuic.edu/state.