Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental Grass Information

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Ornamental grasses are a great addition to any landscape. The plants are low maintenance and provide year round interest. Decorative ornamental grasses come in many different sizes and shapes. From short sedge grass, that works well as a border or in flower pots, to tall ornamental grasses that provide height to a landscape and can be used as a privacy hedge. Ornamental grasses also come in several different colors including pink, red, blue, and purple.

Ornamental Grass Types

Fountain Grass

Switch Grass

Japanese Forest Grass

Sedge Grass

Bluestem Grass

Maiden Grass

Egyptian Papyrus

Why Buy Ornamental Grass Online

When xeriscaping, you can add plenty of interest with varied textures and heights by including a few ornamental grasses in your landscape. We’re always tempted to think first about flower color, but less about interesting foliage. Placing a few ornamental grasses in a xeric landscape or container can add nearly as much impact as a pop of purple with less watering and maintenance.

Choose an ornamental grass that is native to your area, or a similar climate or condition, in place of a shrub or perennial flower. One of our favorite features of grasses is that they can grow tall and move in the wind. In containers, they often add height or contrast to draping and flowering annuals. Warm-season grasses seed out and provide winter interest, even if the foliage browns. If you choose one that’s not native to your area make sure it can at least survive with less water or other conditions that differ.

Another benefit of ornamental grasses is that they can serve practical purposes in a garden. Use them for erosion control by placing a small grouping at the bottom of a slope or terrace – and go for a medium-water selection such as Feather reed grass “Karl Foerster” (Calamagrostis arundinacea), since the rain or irrigation run-off from above supplies the extra water the plant requires.

Other great locations for grasses are along steps, pathways or corners, in front of dark walls or fences, and anywhere they will catch sunlight and breezes.

Sedges, rushes, papyrus and some hardy bamboos also fall into the ornamental grass category when landscaping. Just be sure to check the zone, native location of the plant, and especially the sun and water requirements before planting the grass. Some actually do better in marshes – not a good choice for xeriscaping!

It's so easy to complement a low-water grass with a salvia, penstemon or gayfeather.