27 Best Ornamental Grasses for Your Garden

Kasey Spencer
Best Ornamental Grasses for Your Garden

Ornamental grasses can add beauty and texture to any garden. These versatile plants come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. They work well in different yard styles and climates.

We’ve put together a list of the 27 best ornamental grasses for your garden. These grasses are easy to grow and need little care, making them perfect for busy gardeners. Our picks include tall grasses for privacy, short ones for borders, and colorful types to brighten up your yard. Whether you have a big space or a small patio, there’s an ornamental grass that will fit right in.

1. Feather Reed Grass

Calamagrostis × acutiflora,
Image: Envato Elements

Feather reed grass is a stunning ornamental grass that adds vertical interest to any garden. It grows in upright clumps, reaching heights of 3 to 5 feet. This grass thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It’s adaptable to various soil types, including clay, making it a versatile choice for many gardens.

Feather reed grass produces beautiful feathery plumes in summer that start green and turn golden as they mature. These plumes provide winter interest, so many gardeners leave them standing.

We recommend cutting back feather reed grass in late winter or early spring. Trim it to about 3 to 5 inches from the ground before new growth starts. This grass is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established. It’s a great choice for both beginners and experienced gardeners looking to add texture and movement to their landscapes.

2. Blue Oat Grass

Blue Oat Grass is a stunning ornamental grass that adds a unique touch to any garden. Its steel-blue foliage forms graceful, arching clumps that catch the eye. This grass thrives in USDA zones 4 to 9. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Blue Oat Grass is adaptable to various soil types, including sandy and clay soils.

We recommend planting Blue Oat Grass in spring or fall. Space plants about 2 feet apart to create a solid mass of foliage. When planting, ensure the crown is level with the soil surface.

Blue Oat Grass is relatively low-maintenance. It benefits from a trim in late winter to remove dead leaves and encourage new growth. Regular watering is important, especially for young plants. This grass works well in borders, rock gardens, or as a standalone feature. Its blue color provides a beautiful contrast to other plants in the garden.

3. Pampas Grass

Pampas grass is a striking ornamental grass that can add drama to any garden. It’s known for its tall, feathery plumes that wave gracefully in the breeze.

This grass grows quickly and can reach impressive heights of 8 to 10 feet. Its large size makes it an excellent choice for creating privacy screens or natural barriers in your yard.

Pampas grass comes in various colors, including white, pink, and purple. The ‘Rosea’ variety offers bright pink plumes, while ‘Sunningdale Silver’ features elegant silver-hued flowers.

For smaller spaces, consider the dwarf ‘Pumila’ cultivar. It grows to about 5 feet tall and works well in containers. When planting pampas grass, we recommend spacing them 6 to 8 feet apart. This gives them room to spread as they mature.

4. Fountain Grass

Fountain Grass
Image: Envato Elements

Fountain grass is a popular ornamental grass known for its distinctive, fountain-like appearance. It forms graceful arching clumps with feathery plumes that resemble water spraying from a fountain.

We love fountain grass for its versatility in the garden. It comes in various sizes and colors, from compact varieties to taller ones reaching up to 5 feet. The foliage can range from green to purple, adding visual interest.

This grass thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance choice for many gardens. Fountain grass works well in borders, mass plantings, or as a focal point in containers.

We recommend cutting back fountain grass in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth. Some varieties can be invasive, so it’s best to check local recommendations before planting.

5. Japanese Blood Grass

Japanese blood grass is a stunning ornamental grass that adds vibrant color to gardens. Its blades start green at the base and transition to a striking red at the tips, creating a fiery effect.

This grass thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It grows in compact clumps about 12-18 inches tall and wide, making it ideal for borders or as a focal point in smaller gardens.

We love Japanese blood grass for its low maintenance needs. It’s drought-tolerant once established and has few pest problems. The grass spreads slowly through shallow rhizomes, so it’s easy to control.

For the best color, plant Japanese blood grass in full sun. It pairs beautifully with other perennials like black-eyed Susans or orange coneflowers. We can easily divide it in spring or fall to propagate new plants.

6. Maiden Grass

Maiden grass is a popular choice for many gardens. Its graceful, arching form and feathery plumes make it a standout in any landscape. This ornamental grass reaches heights of 4 to 6 feet tall.

Maiden grass thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s adaptable to various conditions and can tolerate some drought once established. We love how low-maintenance it is.

In late summer, maiden grass produces silvery-white flower plumes. These plumes turn a beautiful golden color in fall, providing interest through winter. The foliage also changes color, often developing red or orange tones.

We recommend planting maiden grass in groups for a dramatic effect. It works well as a backdrop for shorter plants or as a natural screen. Remember to give it enough space, as it can spread 3 to 5 feet wide.

7. Switchgrass

Switchgrass

Switchgrass is a versatile ornamental grass native to North America. It’s a great choice for many gardens due to its adaptability and low maintenance needs. This grass stands out with its upright growth habit and feathery flowers. It blooms from July to September, adding visual interest to the landscape.

We love switchgrass for its hardiness. It can thrive in a wide range of temperatures and growing conditions. This makes it suitable for different garden styles and locations.

Switchgrass comes in several varieties, offering options for color and size. Some types change color in fall, giving gardens extra seasonal appeal.

In the garden, we can use switchgrass in many ways. It works well in borders, beds, and even containers. Its vertical form adds texture and movement to garden designs.

8. Little Bluestem

Little bluestem is a versatile ornamental grass that adds charm to any garden. It’s native to North America and thrives in USDA zones 3-9.

This grass is known for its beautiful blue-green leaves that turn golden in winter. It creates a stunning visual display throughout the year.

We love little bluestem for its low maintenance needs. It’s drought-resistant and can grow in poor soil conditions. This makes it perfect for gardeners who want a lovely garden without too much fuss.

Little bluestem prefers full sun and well-draining soil. Plant it in spring or fall for best results. Space plants about 18 inches apart to give them room to grow.

This grass attracts pollinators and provides shelter for small wildlife. It’s a great choice for natural or prairie-style gardens.

9. Muhly Grass

Muhly grass is a stunning ornamental grass that adds beauty to any garden. It’s known for its cloud-like pink or purple plumes that appear in fall.

This grass is native to the southeastern United States. It grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-10. Muhly grass can reach heights of 3-4 feet tall and wide.

We love muhly grass for its low maintenance needs. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and requires little water.

Muhly grass looks great in mass plantings or as a border. It also works well in rock gardens or as a backdrop for smaller plants. The feathery texture adds movement to the landscape when the wind blows.

To keep muhly grass looking its best, we recommend cutting it back in late winter or early spring. This encourages new growth and maintains its shape.

10. Purple Love Grass

 Eragrostis spectabilis

Purple love grass adds a romantic touch to gardens. Its scientific name is Eragrostis spectabilis. This native North American grass grows wild across the United States and Mexico.

We love how versatile purple love grass is. It looks great in formal gardens and natural meadows alike. The grass forms dense clumps of narrow green leaves about 12 inches long.

In late summer, Purple Love Grass puts on a show. Airy clouds of tiny red-purple flowers appear above the foliage. These showy blooms can reach 15 inches tall and 20 inches wide.

Purple love grass is easy to grow and care for. It thrives in full sun and tolerates many soil types. Once established, it’s drought-resistant too. This ornamental grass works well in borders, rock gardens, and wildflower meadows.

11. Indian Grass

Indian grass is a stunning native ornamental grass that can add beauty to any garden. It grows tall and upright, reaching heights of up to 6 feet. This grass has blue-green leaves that turn golden-bronze in the fall.

We love Indian grass for its unique “rifle-sight-shaped” ligule, which sets it apart from other grasses. It produces feathery, copper-colored seed heads that catch the light beautifully.

Indian grass thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established, making it a great choice for low-maintenance landscapes.

This grass attracts birds and provides shelter for small wildlife. It’s also a food source for some butterfly caterpillars. We recommend planting Indian grass in groups for a dramatic effect in meadow-style gardens or as a backdrop in perennial borders.

12. Blue Fescue

Blue fescue is a stunning ornamental grass that adds a cool, silvery-blue color to gardens. This compact grass grows in rounded clumps about 6-12 inches tall and wide.

We love blue fescue for its ability to thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance choice for many landscapes.

Blue fescue works well as a border plant, in rock gardens, or as ground cover. Its fine texture contrasts nicely with broader-leaved plants.

To keep blue fescue looking its best, we recommend dividing clumps every few years in spring. This helps maintain the plant’s neat, mounded shape.

While blue fescue is generally hardy, it may struggle in very hot, humid climates. In these areas, we suggest planting it in partial shade to protect it from intense afternoon sun.

13. Tufted Hair Grass

Tufted Hair Grass

Tufted hair grass is a versatile ornamental grass that can add elegance to any garden. It forms dense clumps of narrow, dark green leaves that create a striking visual impact. This grass thrives in both sunny and shady areas, making it adaptable to various garden conditions. We recommend planting it in moist soil for optimal growth.

In early summer, tufted hair grass produces delicate, feathery flowers on arching stems. These flowers start as purplish-green and gradually turn tawny, creating a beautiful contrast against the foliage.

Tufted hair grass is low-maintenance and works well in garden beds, containers, and naturalized areas. It’s hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8, making it suitable for many regions.

We love how this grass adds texture and movement to gardens. Its fine leaves and airy flower panicles create a soft, ethereal effect that can enhance any landscape design.

14. Giant Reed

Giant Reed

Giant Reed is a striking ornamental grass that can add drama to any garden. It grows incredibly tall, reaching heights of up to 20 feet or more. This grass has long, wide leaves that give it a tropical look.

Giant Reed is known for its fast growth and ability to spread quickly. It’s best suited for large gardens or areas where it has room to expand. The plant produces feathery plumes in late summer that add visual interest.

We love Giant Reed for its versatility. It can be used as a privacy screen, windbreak, or focal point in landscaping. This grass thrives in full sun and moist soil conditions.

Giant Reed is hardy in USDA zones 6-10. It’s important to note that in some regions, it’s considered invasive. Always check local regulations before planting. With proper management, Giant Reed can be a stunning addition to your garden.

15. Ravennagrass

Ravennagrass is a tall, impressive ornamental grass that can add drama to any garden. We love its feathery plumes that reach skyward, creating a stunning visual impact.

This grass grows in large, dense clumps and can reach heights of 10 to 12 feet. Its narrow leaves start out green but turn a beautiful bronze color in fall.

Ravennagrass thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established, making it a great choice for low-maintenance gardens.

We recommend planting Ravennagrass as a focal point or in the back of borders. It also works well as a natural screen or windbreak.

This grass is hardy in USDA zones 5-9. It’s a perennial that will come back year after year, providing long-lasting beauty to your garden.

16. Pink Muhly Grass

Pink muhly grass is a stunning ornamental grass that adds a soft, cloud-like appearance to gardens. It grows in clumps and reaches about 3 feet tall.

In late summer and fall, pink muhly grass produces wispy pink-purple plumes that create a magical effect in the landscape. These plumes catch the light beautifully, especially during sunset.

We love pink muhly grass for its drought tolerance and low maintenance needs. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil.

This grass pairs well with other fall-blooming plants like asters, coneflowers, and verbena. It also looks great when planted in groups or as a border along pathways.

Pink muhly grass attracts butterflies and provides winter interest as its plumes fade to a light tan color. It’s a versatile choice for many garden styles, from cottage to modern.

17. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’

Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ is a stunning ornamental grass that adds elegance to any garden. This variety of maiden grass grows in an upright, rounded clump and reaches 4-6 feet tall. The slender leaves have thin white margins, giving the plant a silvery appearance. This creates a shimmering effect when the grass moves in the breeze.

‘Morning Light’ prefers full sun but can handle some light shade. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil. Once established, it becomes drought-tolerant and can withstand salt exposure.

In late summer, this grass produces delicate pink flowers that turn into fluffy seed heads. These provide visual interest through fall and winter. We love ‘Morning Light’ for its versatility. It works well as a specimen plant, in borders, or as a natural screen. The grass also looks great in containers on patios.

18. Northern Sea Oats

Northern Sea Oats is a beautiful ornamental grass that adds grace to any garden. We love its unique, flat seed heads that dangle from arching stems. These seed heads start green and turn a lovely bronze color in fall.

This grass grows well in partial shade, making it perfect for areas where other grasses struggle. It reaches heights of 2-5 feet and spreads 1-3 feet wide. Northern Sea Oats is hardy in zones 3-9.

We find Northern Sea Oats easy to care for. It adapts to various soil types and doesn’t need much water once established. The grass provides interest year-round, with its green leaves in summer and golden-brown color in winter.

One thing to note – Northern Sea Oats can spread quickly through self-seeding. We recommend removing seed heads before they drop if you want to control its spread.

19. Dwarf Fountain Grass

Dwarf fountain grass is a compact version of the popular ornamental grass. It grows in neat, rounded clumps that reach about 2-3 feet tall. This makes it perfect for smaller gardens or containers.

The grass blades are thin and arching, giving it a fountain-like appearance. In late summer, it produces fluffy, bottle brush-like plumes that add extra interest. These plumes start out pinkish and fade to tan as they mature.

We love dwarf fountain grass for its low maintenance needs. It thrives in full sun and tolerates a range of soil types. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and rarely needs watering.

This grass looks great in rock gardens, borders, or as a focal point. It also pairs well with flowering perennials and other ornamental grasses. For best results, we cut it back in late winter before new growth starts.

20. Chinese Silver Grass

Chinese Silver Grass

Chinese Silver Grass, also known as Miscanthus sinensis, is a stunning ornamental grass that adds elegance to any garden. This hardy perennial thrives in full sun and adapts well to various soil types.

We love Chinese Silver Grass for its versatility. It grows 4-8 feet tall, creating a beautiful backdrop or focal point in landscapes. The grass produces feathery plumes in late summer that persist through fall and winter.

Planting Chinese Silver Grass is easy. We recommend spacing plants 3-6 feet apart in spring or early fall. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and place it level with the surrounding soil.

This grass is low-maintenance once established. It’s drought-tolerant and rarely troubled by pests or diseases. We suggest cutting back the foliage in late winter before new growth appears.

Chinese Silver Grass offers multi-season interest. Its green leaves turn golden brown in autumn, providing winter texture and movement in the garden.

21. Mexican Feather Grass

Mexican feather grass is a graceful ornamental grass that adds movement and texture to gardens. It grows in dense, fountain-like clumps reaching 12-24 inches tall and wide.

This grass features fine, hair-like leaves that shimmer and sway in the breeze. Its feathery plumes appear in late summer, giving it an ethereal quality.

Mexican feather grass thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established, making it a good choice for low-water gardens.

We love using this grass as a soft border or in mass plantings. It also works well in containers or rock gardens.

While beautiful, Mexican feather grass can be invasive in some areas. We recommend checking local regulations before planting it in your garden.

22. Big Bluestem

Big bluestem is a stunning ornamental grass that can reach impressive heights of up to 8 feet tall. This native North American grass adds drama and movement to any garden with its tall, showy clumps.

In spring, big bluestem sprouts fresh green growth that turns blue-green in summer. It thrives in temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, making it perfect for warm summer months.

We love Big Bluestem for its adaptability. It grows well in sand, loam, and clay soils. It’s also drought-tolerant once established, though new plants need regular watering in their first year.

This grass offers year-round interest, changing its look with the seasons. It’s a great choice for gardeners in USDA zones 3 to 9. Big bluestem is also fire-resistant and can recover quickly from wildfires.

For maintenance, we recommend removing any diseased or damaged shoots. Prune carefully, leaving as much green foliage as possible to encourage healthy growth.

23. Karl Foerster Grass

Karl Foerster Grass

Karl Foerster grass is a popular ornamental grass that adds beauty to any garden. It’s known for its tall, slender stems and feathery plumes that catch the light. This grass grows in upright clumps, reaching heights of 4 to 5 feet. Its green foliage turns golden in fall, providing year-round interest.

Karl Foerster grass is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established. It thrives in full sun but can handle partial shade.

We love using this grass as a backdrop in borders or as a natural privacy screen. It also looks great near water features or in large containers.

This grass is hardy in zones 4-9 and blooms from early summer to fall. It attracts birds and resists deer, making it a great choice for wildlife gardens.

24. Sideoats Grama

Sideoats grama is a native ornamental grass that adds beauty and texture to gardens. It grows 18-30 inches tall and wide, making it perfect for small spaces.

This grass thrives in full sun and prefers dry to medium, well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant and easy to care for, requiring little maintenance once established.

Sideoats grama has unique blue-green foliage that turns reddish in fall. Its name comes from the oat-like seeds that hang on one side of the stem, creating an interesting visual effect.

We love using sideoats grama in wildflower meadows, prairie restorations, and as garden accents. It’s also great for erosion control on dry slopes.

To keep sideoats grama looking its best, we cut it back to about 4 inches tall in late winter or early spring. This grass self-seeds freely in ideal conditions, so it can spread over time.

25. Flax Lily

Flax lily is a versatile ornamental grass-like plant that adds a touch of elegance to any garden. Its slender, arching leaves come in shades of green, blue-green, or variegated forms with white or yellow stripes.

We love flax lily for its low maintenance needs and adaptability. It thrives in full shade to partial sun, making it perfect for areas where other plants struggle. This tough plant tolerates various soil types and doesn’t need frequent watering once established.

Flax lily grows in clumps, reaching about 1-3 feet tall and wide. In summer, it produces small, star-shaped flowers on tall stems, followed by attractive blue berries. These features make it an excellent choice for borders, mass plantings, or container gardens.

We recommend planting flax lily in USDA zones 7-11. In colder areas, it can be grown as an annual or houseplant. With its year-round interest and easy care, flax lily is a great addition to any garden design.

26. Golden Sedge

Carex aurea

Golden sedge is a striking ornamental grass that adds a bright splash of color to gardens. Its vibrant yellow-gold foliage creates a beautiful contrast against other plants. This sedge thrives in moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate both sun and partial shade. We love how versatile it is in different garden settings.

Golden sedge grows in neat clumps, reaching about 1-2 feet tall. Its arching leaves have a graceful, cascading effect that softens landscape edges. We find this grass works well as a ground cover or in borders. It also looks stunning near water features or in container arrangements.

Golden sedge is low-maintenance and easy to care for. Regular watering and occasional division keep it looking its best. With its eye-catching color and texture, golden sedge is a great choice for adding year-round interest to any garden design.

27. Spiky Blue Fescue

Blue fescue grass is a stunning ornamental plant with silvery-blue foliage. It forms compact, rounded clumps that add texture and color to gardens. This grass grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance choice for many landscapes.

Blue fescue reaches about 6-12 inches tall, perfect for borders or rock gardens. Its spiky appearance creates an interesting contrast with broader-leaved plants. We love using blue fescue as a ground cover or in mass plantings. It also works well in containers, adding a cool, frosty look to patio displays.

This grass is easy to care for. We simply trim it back in late winter to encourage fresh growth in spring. It’s a great pick for gardeners looking for a hardy, attractive ornamental grass.

Tips for Planting and Caring for Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses can add beauty and texture to any garden. We’ll share some key tips to help you plant and care for these versatile plants successfully.

Soil Preparation and Planting Techniques

Start by choosing a sunny spot for most ornamental grasses. Some types can handle partial shade. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.

Mix compost into the soil to improve drainage. This is important because many grasses don’t like wet feet. Place the plant in the hole at the same depth it was in its container.

Fill in around the roots with soil and water well. Space plants are based on their mature size. This stops overcrowding later on. For larger grasses, consider staking them when young. This helps them grow straight and tall.

Watering and Fertilization

New grass plants need regular watering until they’re established. After that, most are pretty drought-tolerant. Water deeply but less often to encourage deep roots.

In spring, apply a slow-release fertilizer. This gives grasses a boost as they start growing. Don’t overdo it though – too much can lead to floppy growth.

For most grasses, one spring feeding is enough. If your soil is poor, you might need to fertilize again in mid-summer.

Pruning and Maintenance

Cut back cool-season grasses in early spring before new growth starts. For warm-season types, wait until late winter or very early spring.

Use sharp shears or hedge trimmers. Cut to about 4-6 inches above the ground. Wear gloves – some grass blades can be sharp!

Every few years, divide large clumps to keep plants healthy. Do this in spring for warm-season grasses and fall for cool-season types. Remove any dead or brown parts throughout the growing season. This keeps your grass looking neat and tidy.

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