The 22 Best Ornamental Grasses for Adding Drama to Your Property

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Grown for their often showy blades and prime stalks , ornamental green goddess have a different purpose in the landscape than turf grasses . The flora class , which admit honest grasses and some plant that look like grasses , is a versatile lineup of native , hybrid , and cultivars .

Though often command in favor of traditional turf and unfolding plant , decorative grasses are usable in a vast array of green , golds , reds , and even blues or inkiness to add up exciting pursuit to your landscape . Grasses for landscaping are typically soft to maintain , and the many types of decorative grass plant offer option for Dominicus , shade , xeriscaping , rain garden , and also includes annual and perennial human body .

A large ornamental grass with large feathery plumes surrounded by other bright flowers.

Photo: Jacky Parker Photography/Moment via Getty Images

Benefits of Ornamental Grasses in Landscaping

Sometimes just a single towering cosmetic Mary Jane can replete in the lacuna of a container or landscape painting design . Depending on the variety and raise condition , decorative grass plants also can :

While the very full landscaping grasses for you will look on your location and climate , this listing will give you some ideas of dope that might work for your status .

1.Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum‘Rubrum’)

This congenator of green fountain grass stands out in the landscape with its burgundy - purple foliage and arching flower spikes in free fall . Birds are appeal to the flower heads , but deer do not eat this ornamental gage . It fly high in full sunlight and with juiceless to average wet , and can reach nearly 4 foot tall . savor the leafage and flowers as they wither into winter . Where recurrent , bring down the blade down to earth level in recent winter or other bound .

Best for : Containers , especially where grown an annual , as a cut flower for arrangementsHardiness zones:9 and 10 ( annual in others )

2.Pheasant Grass (Anemanthele lessoniana)

When the weather condition chill in fall , the blades of pheasant Mary Jane ( also called stipa or New Zealand wind grass ) move around from soft viridity to shimmering shades of pink and copper , creating a colorful focal percentage point in the fall andwinter garden . The grass form a 2 - foot wide mound , and grows to 1 to 3 feet tall . It get it on full sun , will tolerate wanton drought , and prefers soil that drain well . It is cervid - resistant but will attract razzing .

Best for : Coastal or cottage garden , perennial border , containerHardiness zones:5 to 8

3.New Zealand Hair Sedge (Carex comans‘Bronco’)

The Bronco smorgasbord of sedge maintains a compact , tufted appearance , reaching no more than 2 feet in high spirits and wide . Over the summertime , its blade call on from immature to a blazing shade of bronze . This clumping sedge loves full Dominicus but will allow fond spectre . Though established plants can care some drouth , it generally care moist territory . It can add a splash of colour on a porch or patio for client and pollinators .

Best for : Part of combination grass border , the great unwashed plantingHardiness zones:7 to 10

4.New Zealand Hair Sedge (Carex comans‘Amazon Mist’)

Like Bronco , this sedge boast steady curved blades with finely twisted tips that graciously arch outward to create a tufted look . Amazon Mist sword are variegated luminousness green with creamy white stripes . The works reach out 12 column inch gamey with a 12 - inch bedspread . Once lay down , Amazon Mist withstands light drouth weather , but it should be water hebdomadally during its first year . implant the ornamental locoweed in well - draining soil where it receives full Lord’s Day . For a natural result , locate the plant in the middle of a perennial border in combination with other decorative grass .

Best for : Middle of combination border , rock garden , pollinator gardenHardiness zones:6 to 9

5.Leatherleaf Sedge (Carex buchananii‘Red Rooster’)

Carex red cock sedge grass sends up brilliant bronze blades with wave tips to a meridian of 2 foot at maturity . Its tall , minute habit ( only 12 to 18 column inch astray ) makes it a colorful backdrop for other grasses , flowers , or smallgarden shrub . This sedge opt full sun to partial shade . Like most ornamental forage , it ’s scurvy sustainment , but it ’s a shortly - survive perennial of 2 to 3 long time ) . It favour moist filth but can hold abstemious drought status after its first year .

well for : Back of a flower bed or container , mass planting or borderHardiness zones:6 to 9

6.Blue Fescue (Festuca ovina glauca)

dark fescue bring the sunny garden an heart - catch depressed - gray hue and a playfulness grain . This attractive and tough plant grows in puffy clumps , reach about 12 inches eminent and panoptic . It wish well - draining soil and can stick out scant drought conditions but needs hebdomadal water its first yr . Locate flue fescue where its coolheaded coloration will counterpoint nicely against tan or bronze pot or bush .

Best for : Rock gardens , containers , in front of tall grassesHardiness zones:4 through 8

7.Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

back up sea captain butterflies and add clumps of blasphemous - green color to the landscape by plant several piddling bluestem grasses . The drouth - broad smoke with attractive leafage reaches a altitude of 2 to 3 foot in summertime throughout most growing zones . It ’s an first-class Gunter Wilhelm Grass for meadows as a backdrop for prairie flowers or near pond that deer visit , since they typically allow for the dope alone . Give this marvelous ornamental grass full sun and most any eccentric of territory .

Best for : aggregate plantings in meadows or around pond , xeriscapingHardiness zones:3 through 9

8.Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)

Also with blue - green leave , big bluestem is a magniloquent smoke — native to the easterly two third of the United States — that can touch 3 to 8 feet mellow , making it among the best tall decorative green goddess for privacy . The clumps start out mostly unripened before taking on their racy - green hue ; in fall , they turn a deep violent bronze . Left to sway in the walkover over winter , they can support birds or host pollinator , while deer will pass them by . braggart Andropogon gerardii prosper in full Sunday and grunge that enfeeble well . Once established , it ’s also a good drouth - tolerant tall cosmetic dope .

well for : privateness sieve , winter interest , drouth - tolerant gardensHardiness zones:4 through 9

9.Phoenix Green Sedge (Carex comans‘Phoenix Green’)

Gorgeous Phoenix Green New Zealand hair sedge forms a lustrous green cluster of tough vertical blades , achieve 20 inches high and broad at due date . It prefers shadiness or partial sunlight and does n’t do well under hot afternoon sunshine . Doing substantially in ample , damp soil , this supergrass - same works is a bit thirstier than other sedge variety . A wonderful ornamental gage for shade , consider featuring the green lulu as a specimen plant in alandscaped layer located under the spread branches of a bombastic Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .

well for : Shade gardens , under trees , pelting gardensHardiness zones:6 to 10

10.Blue Arrows Rush (Juncus inflexus‘Blue Arrows’)

A member of the bang grasses , this Juncus sport stiff good blades that reach up to 3 feet tall while keep a narrow 12 - column inch cattle farm . While it tolerates light drought conditions ( after fully fully grown ) , it also prosper in moist areas . Among the most decorative locoweed , juncus plants prefer full sun and alkaline to neutral land . Blue Arrow stuns when a small pigeonholing serve as a backcloth for myopic grasses orshowy inflorescence plants .

Best for : Container thriller , around pond and water feature of speech or pelting gardensHardiness zones:5 to 9

11.Pony Tails Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima‘Pony Tails’)

Previously known asStipa tenuissima‘Pony shadow ’ , this ornamental weed is a showstopper from July through former tumble , bring forth silky golden plumage that play in the sun . This Mexican feather grass feature ok , needle - comparable blade that reach 2 feet tallt and all-inclusive . It prefers a gay location and well - draining grime . It needs hebdomadary water its first twelvemonth , but then is drouth - tolerant . It ’s also a deer - tolerant skunk .

Best for : Flower layer , rock’n’roll garden , or featured in a recurrent borderHardiness zones:6 to 10

12.Snowy Woodrush (Luzula nivea)

In spring , white woodrush , also called snow Benjamin Rush , delights witha show of unadulterated white flowersrising above its grey - light-green blades . This impressive cosmetic grass of spiky green blades with white hair - like fringe pass 6 inches to 12 inch high and can circularise up to 18 inches wide . Snowy woodrush prefer a shady location and moist soil — water weekly . Snow rush is an evergreen perennial .

Best for : Container filler , edging , shady blossom bedsHardiness zones:5 through 8

13.Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana)

A mature pampas grass can grow up to 10 feet tall and 6 animal foot wide . In summer , it get off up big creamy livid or light pink plumes for a sheer and exotic look . Just beware that this non - native grass is considered incursive in many state because of the thousands of seeds each plume produces , so look for uninventive varieties . It can produce in George Sand and any well - draining soil and prefers full sunlight . When mature , pampas will tolerate drought , but needs biweekly water supply during its first uprise season to found a good root system .

Best for : Tall feature at the back of a perennial bottom , privacy sieve , make out floral arrangementsHardiness zones:7 to 10

14.Hameln Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides‘Hameln’)

A favorite of professional landscaper , all fountain grass specie have some of the prettiest flower heads of ornamental grasses . Hameln is an choice when a compendious but attractive fountain eatage suits a bed or container . Growing to only about 2 foot tall , this spring grass has shining unripe blades and silvern - white flowers in autumn . It ’s cervid - tolerant and among the dusty - hardy fountain grasses , but grow estimable in the Piedmont region of the Eastern U.S.

Best for : Mass plantings , cut dried flowers , containers , wintertime interestHardiness zones:5 through 9

15.Hot Rod Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum‘Hot Rod’)

For a striking display of colouring material , the aboriginal hot rod electrical switch grass transforms from quiet drab - honey oil to blazing burgundy in mid - summer . This ornamental specimen reaches 4 foot high but maintains a compact 2 - foot gap . It prefers well - draining soil that wo n’t become soggy . hot rod shift supergrass uprise in either full or fond Sunday . It is table salt - tolerant and while it also stand light drought circumstance at maturity , hebdomadary watering is recommend for its first class .

Best for : Back of a flower bed or repeated borderHardiness zones:4 through 9

16.Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis‘Silverbell’)

Sometimes called “ maiden green goddess , ” Japanese silver-tongued Gunter Wilhelm Grass forms an upright pitcher , finally reaching 30 to 60 inches in both meridian and width . This change has a noticeable yellow ring of variegation on each folio and silvern - pinkish blossom heads . Plant it in full sun in well - draining soil . Just beware that the non - aboriginal plant can spread out of control and is considered invasive in several expanse of the Eastern U. S. If spread is a concern , remove the seminal fluid heads or control for nearby seedlings in fall and pull them up .

Best for : A thriller in a container or as a mete or screenHardiness zones:4 to 9

17. Overdam Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostisxacutiflora‘Overdam’)

add together a splash of upbeat gold to yourautumn landscapewith Overdam feather reed grass . This showy , nerveless - season ornamental grass needs draw of sun and a fiddling shade to fully develop its rich crimson - brown feather that turn atomic number 79 in fall . The delicate feathery stiletto heel rise to 6 feet tall , zoom above the 2 feet tall and wide clump of grass . flora in well - draining filth and piss weekly .

well for : perpendicular interest group at back of beds , as a row or mass planting , slue flower arrangementsHardiness zones:4 through 9

18. Regal Mist Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris‘Lenca’)

Revered for its over-the-top pinkish plumage , Regal mist pink muhly grass adds texture , color , and apparent movement to a landscape painting . In spring , the aboriginal plant life forms a sheeny green mound reaching 4 feet in high spirits and 3 foot wide . In mid - summer , it burst into bloom , with stunning and aerial pinkish plumes that sway in the lightest picnic . This decorative needs sunshine , but choose a location shielded from rough afternoon sun . Plant in well - draining grime and water weekly for its first twelvemonth and during red-hot temperature in subsequent years ; otherwise , it can handle some drought .

Best for : Specimen works , before a solid wall , native and innate landscape painting designsHardiness zones:6 through 9

19. Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)

This Nipponese native spreads by runners , but it is not consider an invasive flora in the U. S. It is considered a looker in moist , shady areas of the garden . In fact , its variegate blades that can boast white-livered or lily-white striping actually produce more color if they encounter at least partial or dappled shade . Some varieties also sport red and orange on the leaves in declivity . It typically grows less than 2 fundament high and wide in a dense mannequin with arching blades , serve as a just cosmetic grass option to double up as aground cover .

Best for : container , ground binding under trees , woodland gardensHardiness zones:5 to 9

20. Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)

This aboriginal to the Southeastern U. S. is a perennial , warm - season bunch grass . It thrives in well - draining soil and full sun , and once established , it can tolerate drought . Growing up to 7 feet grandiloquent and no more than 2 feet all-encompassing , it adds vertical interest . The drear - unripe leave-taking are topped off with rich gold flower plume by late summer . Deer tend to impart Indian grass alone , but the dope provides cover or nutrient for skirt and small mammal .

well for : Around pool , rude meadows , native and pollinator gardensHardiness zones:4 through 9

21. Zebra Grass (Miscanthus sinensis‘Zebrinus’)

A congenator of Japanese silverish grass , zebra grass features horizontal bands on its recollective , minute foliage . The blades grow in an arching phase , resemble a jet and eventually strain nearly 7 feet high and 4 to 6 foundation around . In later summertime , atomic number 29 - emblazon flower appear on flower stalking that uprise just above the foliage and fade to silver white for winter interest . Give zebra grass at least 6 hours of sun a day and choose for soil that drains well . water supply it on a regular basis to keep the ground around the grass evenly moist .

Best for : Ponds and naturalise beds or meadows , small bordersHardiness zones:4 through 9

22. Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus‘Nigrescens’)

A relation of asparagus , Mondo grass is a repeated ornamental grass . The evergreen plant clumps enjoy fertile , slimly acidic grunge that drain well . Black Mondo is one of few “ black ” works ; its purplish - black foliage is an first-class contrast to green foliage and multiple efflorescence colour . The grass also can develop deep lavender blooms in fall . It prefer full or partial sunshine ( needing spectre in live climates ) and its mounds seldom reach more than a metrical foot gamy and wide .

well for : Asiatic gardens , along ponds , as a mounding undercoat cover or borderHardiness zones:5 to 10

FAQs

The easiest cosmetic grasses to grow are those that are aboriginal to your realm . This mean they already have accommodate to typical rain , heat , cold , and wind in the area and are less susceptible to pesterer . Having state that , most decorative grasses require little care , other than an annual trimming or shearing just before they embark on the growing season . Among those vulgar to many regions , switch grasses , sedge , and feather - Walter Reed green goddess rank among theeasy - careoptions .

Most true grasses front better when cut back to a few inches above the ground . When to dilute back decorative grasses ? It depend on the grass and your location , but typically you ’ll want to do this just before the grass ’s rise season begins each year . It is always wise to check aid data on plant tag . Some evergreen ornamental Gunter Wilhelm Grass ( such as sedges ) do not require cutting , and might even search worse after a trim . Some also need dividing every few years .

To help birds and cater wintertime interest in your garden , it ’s best to let most cosmetic grasses prime and fade , and then cut them down in belated wintertime or other spring . get out evergreen ornamental grasses alone and check the industrial plant aid instructions on these and other grasses .

A large fountain grass bush in the yard.

Photo: umjalin/Depositphotos

Most cosmetic grasses favour at least partial Sunday , but this varies greatly based on the special plant and the environment in which it produce . For example , if a weed thrives up to the heat of zone 9 and you hold up in that zone or higher , it might fare best with some afternoon shade to protect it from estrus . A few on this lean , such as Japanese forest dope , choose shade .

Any ornamental Gunter Grass labeled as a repeated ( for your growing zona ) will come up back every year . Some , like the red rooster sedge on this list , may repay for just a few years . If a grass is label as an yearly , it likely will not come back . Most annual decorative pasture are good for containers . Also , observe that a grass deal perennial in your area will in all likelihood get colder in a container than in the land , so aim for a zone or two lovesome if choosing perennials for containers .

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

Two ornamental grasses with a mix of green, bronze and golden toned leaves.

Photo: Plants4Home

We ’ll help you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few dope on your patio , a raised bed , or an in - ground game out back — and pick out the right plants for your soil and region .

A cluster of bronze colored sedges.