Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
Nipponese forest grass . ( Hakonechloa macra’Aureola ' ) . Photo by Janet Loughrey .
Ornamental grasses propose insidious beauty and multi - seasonal interestingness , even when there ’s not much else going on in the garden . rise for their complex body part , texture , reliability and virtually slaphappy nature , the uses for cosmetic grasses are many . Whether used as a background signal flora , hedge , erosion control along a incline , or a blinding accent in a container or piss feature , decorative grasses make an invaluable addition to any landscape painting .
Many ornamental grasses are invasive * in sure area of the area . However , there are native and non - invasive alternatives for many of them . Also , in areas of high attack danger , grasses should be burn back to just a few inches once they have died back for the year . Otherwise , dried Gunter Grass and their seed principal can provide winter interest .
On this page : Tall Ornamental Grasses|Short Ornamental Grasses|Native Grasses
make out the spirit of ornamental grasses , but not certain how to incorporate them in your garden or landscape painting ? See5 Uses for Ornamental Grasses , from Proven Winners .
TALL ORNAMENTAL GRASS VARIETIES
Photo by : Proven Winners .
GRACEFUL GRASSES ® PURPLE FOUNTAIN GRASS — Buy now from Proven WinnersPennisetum setaceum‘Rubrum ’
Zones:
9 - 11
Height/Spread:
Upright arching habit , 2 to 4 metrical foot marvelous and 2 to 3 feet broad
Exposure:
Full sun to partial shade
Add soft texture and graceful movement to the landscape painting , with months of colour from summertime to frost . Deep purple foliage is top by dusky mauve blossom plume on elegant , arching stems . Grow this virtually slaphappy grass as hedging , massed along a slope , in a container by itself , or in combination with other plants . handle as an annual in all but the warmest neighborhood . Unlike some other natural spring Gunter Wilhelm Grass , this does not reseed .
Learn to grow and care for purple fountain grass .
King Tut ® centre ( thriller ) . Photo by : Proven Winners .
GRACEFUL GRASSES ® KING TUT ® , Egyptian Egyptian paper rush — corrupt now from Proven WinnersCyperus papyrus
10 - 11
Upright open drug abuse , 4 to 6 infantry improbable and 3 to 4 feet wide-eyed
This medium - sized aquatic sedge has triangular stanch topped with bushy tassels that can make 6 to 12 in across . The refined arching habit and flashy bloom make a stunning financial statement when implant in shallow urine at the bound of a pool or water feature . Use in a container as a stand - alone speech pattern , or in compounding with other annuals with similar needs . Treat as an annual in all but the warmest regions .
GRACEFUL grass over ® VERTIGO ® , Elephant Grass — Buy now from Proven WinnersPennisetum purpureum
8 - 11
Upright bushy habit , 3 to 8 feet magniloquent and 2 to 3 feet wide
Full sun
The deep midnight colour , strappy foliage , and enceinte stature lend a dominating presence in the landscape . apply as a stand - alone container specimen , mass in the landscape painting , or in combination with other plants . The about black food coloring counterpoint dramatically with bright hues such as gold , orange , or chartreuse . Combine with coleus , Rudbeckia , or sweet Irish potato vine . process as an yearly in coolheaded realm .
See this green goddess may be belligerent .
larn to produce and handle for fountain sess .
PRAIRIE WINDS ® ‘ BLUE PARADISE ’ , Little bluestem — purchase now from Proven WinnersSchizachyrium scoparium
3 - 9
vertical vase - shaped habit , 3 to 3 - 1/2 feet magniloquent and 2 foundation wide
The smokey mauve - blue foliage , vertical stature , and subdued grain loan sophistication to any elan landscape painting . Use as a background constituent , in a mixed borderline , massed in a bed or along a slope . This North American prairie native supports insects and wildlife and can be naturalized in a field or open timber context . Burgundy - red drop leaf is especially dramatic when backlit by former or belated - day sun . Exceptionally hardy in cold zones .
Learn to grow and care for little bluestem grasses .
‘ KARL FOERSTER ’ , Feather Walter Reed grass — grease one’s palms now from Proven WinnersCalamagrostisxacutiflora
5 - 9
Upright open habit , 3 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide-cut
Feathery bronze flower spindle create texture and movement in the landscape painting , providing multi - seasonal interest from other summer through winter . This stock landscape works is often used in public options , valued for its toughness and reliability . plant life in a motley border , or mass in landscape painting or curbside plantings . large-minded of heat and heavyclay land ; grow in most regions .
‘ LITTLE ZEBRA ’ , Dwarf zebra grass — bribe now from Proven WinnersMiscanthus sinensis
unsloped arch riding habit , 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 foot blanket
Zebra grass is produce for its attractive leaves , which have distinct horizontal set , as well as the showy copper color - pink blossom plumes that look in mid - summer . Long pop with avid gardeners , the dark-green - and - gold striped foliage makes this an outstanding background flora in a mixed border . This dwarf strain was develop for smaller space , with a shorter stature that stays more upright . Grow in containers , mass plantings , as hedging or a focal full stop .
See this pasture may be problematic . ( See more on incursive plants below . )
Photo by : Peter Turner Photography / Shutterstock .
NEW ZEALAND FLAXPhormium tenax , P. cookianumand hybrids
good or arch habit , 1 - 1/2 to 12 base marvelous and 1 - 1/2 to 10 feet wide
New Zealand flax create high drama in the garden with bold architectural structure and upright spiky foliage . It occurs in a chain of people of color and sizes , making a various design ingredient in any blank , from modest urban yards to larger landscape . Use as a focal point in a border or container . Combine with plants with indulgent texture and flower for contrast . In cool regions , this can be grown as an yearly .
SHORT ORNAMENTAL GRASS VARIETIES
Prince Tut ™ essence ( thriller ) . Photo by : Proven Winners .
GRACEFUL GRASSES ® PRINCE TUT ™ , Dwarf Egyptian papyrus — Buy now from Proven WinnersCyperus papyrus
erect undefendable habit , 1 - 1/2 to 2 - 1/2 feet grandiloquent and 2 to 3 foot broad
This aquatic African sedge , which is grown as an yearbook in most region , is a pop pick for boggy soils , or along the shallow edge of a pool or marsh . The graceful vase - shaped habit and showy flower tufts add an exotic looking , with striking architectural appeal . This dwarf potpourri , with sturdy root word that wo n’t flop , is a good choice for containers and small water feature .
2022 National Annual of the yr
Blue Mohawk® , centre . Photo by : Proven Winners .
GRACEFUL grass ® BLUE MOHAWK ® , Soft rush — Buy now from Proven WinnersJuncus inflexus
Upright spiky or arching habit , 2 to 3 feet tall and 1 - 2 feet wide
This hardy rush or sedge is grown for its dim erect clusters of reed - like blades and tiny cone - like tan flowers . hard and versatile , this sturdy grass prefers moist soil conditions or shallow water such as bump alongside stream beds and Ngaio Marsh . Create year - circular structural interest , even in winter with a fresh coat of Charles Percy Snow . Plant in a water supply feature , rain garden , or an area of the yard with boggy grease .
Seewhere this grass may be problematic .
GRACEFUL GRASSES ® BABY TUT , Umbrella grass — Buy now from Proven WinnersCyperus involucratus
Upright open or arc habit , 1 - 1/2 feet tall and wide
This aquatic sedge is grown for its alien visual aspect , vase - regulate anatomical structure and radiate umbrella - same leaf bracts . Also known as nanus papyrus grass , the diminutive height realise this a in effect selection for minor space . Grow in slopped , boggy soils , or shallow water at the bound of a pond or water feature . Use in container , pelting gardens , and miniature ponds . regale as an yearbook in cooler regions . In frost - free mood , plants can spread sharply through self - seeding and base rhizome .
GRACEFUL GRASSES ® ‘ firework ’ , Variegated red fountain grass — grease one’s palms now from Proven WinnersPennisetum setaceum‘Fireworks ’
opened arching wont , 2 to 3 pes magniloquent and 1 - 1/2 to 2 feet wide
This edition of the more common royal fountain grass is grown for its spectacular variegated leafage with stripes of empurpled , burgundy , green and white . wan burgundy heyday tassels appear from mid - summer to ice . This more compact variety is suitable for small urban yards . Mass in the landscape , or industrial plant in a container by itself or in combination with other plants with similar needs . Treat as an annual in most regions . Does not reseed like some other genus Pennisetum .
‘ BLUE WHISKERS’Blue fescue — Buy now from Proven WinnersFestuca glauca
4 - 8
Clumping habit , 10 to 12 inches tall and 24 to 28 in wide
sword - blue whisker - like leafage and tan seed head complement most other colour , making this a various design pick . This fine - textured grass makes a striking accent in a container or the landscape . With tolerance to drought and poor soils , along with its diffuse habit , this makes a good alternative for mass in a bed or along a slope for erosion control . minuscule than blue oat Gunter Grass , the compact size of it is specially suited to urban lots . Exceptionally hardy in colder region .
Photo by : Janet Loughrey .
Nipponese FOREST GRASS , syn . Golden Japanese timber grass , Hakone grassHakonechloa macra‘Aureola ’
mound weeping habit , 1 to 1 - 1/2 feet tall and 2 ft wide
Partial shade , with protective cover from spicy afternoon Sunday
One of the few ornamental grasses that thrives in partial shade , this gilded variety is peculiarly useful for illuminating colored spaces . leave are motley , with thin stripes of gold and green that acquire hints of coppery pinkish in drop . The elegant cascading flesh is pop in Nipponese - style and other schematic landscape painting , and takes a torpid rest in late fall . Combine with other woodland tincture lovers such as hostas , ferns , azaleas and Japanese maple . usance along the front of a mixed border , in mass planting or containers .
Learn to rise and care for Japanese wood grass .
‘ EVERGOLD ’ , Japanese Sedge — grease one’s palms now from Proven WinnersCarex oshimensis ' Evergold'(syn . C. hachijoensis )
Mounding arching use , 8 to 18 inch tall and 1 to 2 feet wide
crying vary foliage is eye - take hold of in a container , rock garden , or mixed border . Strappy OK - textured leafage , which have a Au stripe down the middle and contrast light-green margin , stand out in the landscape . The diminutive stature and compact growth riding habit makes this a full choice for small blank . Use as a stand - alone accent , as edging , in mass plantings , or container combination . more or less spook large-minded . watch carex plants .
MEXICAN FEATHER GRASS — Buy now from Proven WinnersStipa tenuissima(syn . Nassella tenuissima )
6 - 10
unsloped arching riding habit , 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 foot wide
Grown for its celestial cloud - like plumes that sway in the tenuous snap , Mexican feather weed is useful for create dynamic motion and all right texture in the landscape . Combine with boldstructural plantssuch as globe allium for ocular contrast . Plant in container , mass in a layer or along a slope . Drought - tolerance and carefree nature make this a good option for xeriscapes and rock garden . An emerge encroaching * plant in California , as it can self - inseminate promptly . ( Plantright.org offersmore information and suggested alternatives for California garden . )
Alternatives : Bouteloua gracilis’Blonde Ambition ’ dingy grama grass , alkali sacaton ( Sporobolus airoides ) , Mexican cervid sens ( Muhlenbergia dubia ) , purple three - awn ( Aristida purpurea ) , and autumn moor grassSesleria autumnalis )
pic by : atiger / Shutterstock .
PINK MUHLY GRASSMuhlenbergia capillaris
6 - 9
Upright mounding drug abuse , 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
For high dramatic event in the late - season landscape painting , few plant rival that of pink muhly grass . From late summer to come down , bright pinkish seed brain organise billowy cotton confect - like drifts , create diffuse texture and riveting color , especially when backlit by other or late day Dominicus . Plant in movement for maximal impingement along a slope , or naturalize in a meadow or aboriginal garden . The come manoeuvre fade to tan , creating long - endure wintertime interest in the garden .
exposure by : Kathryn Roach / Shutterstock .
BLUE OAT GRASSHelictotrichon sempervirens
mound arching habit , 2 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide
Popular in public landscape and home gardens , this commonly used ornamental grass is uprise for its pale aristocratic foliage , hunky-dory texture and graceful seed panicle . This authentic grass is valued for its down - maintenance , margin of a wide range of growing conditions , and hardiness . Use in containers , at the sharpness of a motley molding , or massed as a groundcover . Combine with lavender , daylilies , Nepeta cataria , and sedum for a low - maintenance landscape painting . Evergreen in milder regions .
NATIVE GRASSES
North American natives :
read switchgrass(Panicum virgatum )
Western native :
*INVASIVE VS. AGGRESSIVE GROWERS
When learning about plant , it ’s crucial to understand what it means for a plant to be invasive . From the USDA website : " An encroaching species is non - native to the ecosystem under consideration , and whose introduction causes or is potential to cause economic or environmental damage or harm to human health . "
Keep in psyche that a plant may be invasive in one surround , but okay to grow in another . So , although some of the plants above are noted as being invasivein certain regions , they are o.k. to grow in others .
It ’s also important to note that there is a remainder between a plant life being considered invasive and one that mature aggressively . The Universiy of Illinios Extension Service defines strong-growing plant as those that have the power to " propagate fast enough within the garden as to get military issue to other garden areas where the plant is not wanted or is intended to be grow . " This is not the same as being identified as being encroaching .
Resources for determine if a vine or flora is invasive in your region :
More : Invasive Plants & What to Grow Instead
