Ornamental Grasses for Every Situation

Choose the ornamental grass based on the season, the height and the type of soil.

Related To:

Flowing Ornamental Grasses

No other plant can add movement and catch light like ornamental grasses. They can soften, yet enhance masonry elements with their airy form and uniquely capture and filter the sun's rays. Tip: Be sure to place them where they can catch the light, which will shine through their foliage and flower heads, making them glow and shimmer in the breezes.

From: Barry Block

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