The Height Report

'Gracillimus' miscanthus at dawn in December. This version of miscanthus climbs to some 6 to 7 feet tall.

Dream of the size, texture and color of the ornamental grass you want and there's a variety to suit. But even better, you can choose according to the season, the height, and the type of soil--and amount of sun--you can offer. Here are some top hits in each category:

Warm-season grasses

• Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana), 3-10 feet
• Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), 3-6 feet
• Amur silver grass (Miscanthus floridulus), 8-12 feet
• Switch-grass (Panicum virgatum), 4-10 feet
• Fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Cupreum'), 1-2 feet

Cool-season grasses

• Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora), 4-6 feet
• Sedge (Carex), 3 inches to 4 feet
• Tufted hair grass (Deschampsia caespitosa), 1-4 feet
• Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens), 1-5 feet
• Squirreltail grass (Hordeum jubatum), 1 to 2-1/2 feet

Sun

• Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana), 6-10 feet
• Dwarf pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana 'Pumila'), 3-5 feet
• Ravenna grass (Erianthus ravennae), 3-12 feet
• Maire's fescue (Festuca mairei), 2-3 feet
• Hare's-tail grass (Lagurus ovatus), 1-2 feet
• Porcupine grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'), 4-6 feet
• Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), 2-5 feet

Shade

• Sedge (Carex), 3 inches to 4 feet
• Tufted hair grass (Deschampsia caespitosa), 1-4 feet
• Variegated hakone grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'), 6-18 inches
• Japanese blood grass (Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron'), 1 to 1-1/2 feet
• Variegated silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus'), 4-6 feet
• Frost grass (Spodiopogon sibiricus), 2-4 feet
• Giant feather grass (Stipa gigantea), 1-1/2 to 7 feet

Wet Soil

• Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora), 4-6 feet
• Sedge (Carex sp.), 1-4 feet
• Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale), 1-4 feet
• Manna grass (Glyceria maxima), 2-3 feet
• Miscanthus, 2-7 feet
• Banded bulrush (Scirpus tabernaemontani var. zebrenus), 2-4 feet

Moist Soil

• Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light', 4-5 feet
• Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurescens, 3-4 feet
• Needlegrass (Stipa calamagrostis), 2-3 feet

Dry Soil

• Tufted hair grass (Deschampsia caespitosa), 1-4 feet
• Switch-grass (Panicum virgatum), 4-10 feet
• Indian grass (Sorghastrum avenaceum), 2-5 feet