Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental Grass Types

Uses:

Garden Borders & Edges
Add Vertical Interest
Groundcover
Container Gardens

Features:

Drought & Heat Tolerant
Deer & Rabbit Resistant
Low Maintenance & Adaptable
No Fertilizer or Pesticide Needed

Sunlight:

Mostly Full Sun
Sunlight Conditions Depend on Type

Benefits:

Prevents Erosion
Habitat for Wildlife
Adds Movement in the Wind
Four-Season Interest

Ornamental Grass Care

Ornamental grasses are a great addition to any landscape. The plants are low maintenance and provide year-round interest. Several types are available, ranging in size, color, and shape. Short sedge grass works well as a groundcover or in flower pots, whereas tall maiden grass provides height to a landscape and can be used as a privacy screen. There is an ornamental grass for every application and several colors to choose from including pink, red, blue, and purple.

Ornamental Grasses 31 to 60 of 165 total

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(4)

Growing Zones: 6 to 10

Plant Addicts

Variegated Liriope

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(1)

Growing Zones: 5 to 9

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Karley Rose Oriental Fountain Grass

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(1)

Growing Zones: 5 to 9

Southern Living Plants

Evercolor Everillo Carex

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Now: $38.49 - $40.49
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(5)

Growing Zones: 4 to 8

Southern Living Plants

Beyond Blue Fescue Grass

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(5)

Growing Zones: 6 to 10

Plant Addicts

Mondo Grass

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(2)

Growing Zones: 5 to 9

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Aureola Golden Variegated Japanese Forest Grass

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Growing Zones: 3 to 9

Holy Smoke Big Bluestem Grass

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(3)

Growing Zones: 5 to 8

Gracillimus Maiden Grass

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(1)

Growing Zones: 4 to 8

Shenandoah Switch Grass

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(1)

Growing Zones: 5 to 10

Plant Addicts

Big Blue Liriope

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Growing Zones: 4 to 9

American Beauties Native Plants

Thundercloud Switchgrass

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Growing Zones: 2 to 8

American Beauties Native Plants

Dwarf Tufted Hair Grass

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(1)

Growing Zones: 4 to 8

Heavy Metal Blue Switch Grass

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(2)

Growing Zones: 4 to 8

Ruby Ribbons™ Switch Grass

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Growing Zones: 8 to 10

Southern Living Plants

Lomandra Platinum Beauty

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(1)

Growing Zones: 4 to 8

Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass

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Growing Zones: 9 to 11

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Graceful Grasses® Queen Tut™ Dwarf Egyptian Papyrus

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Growing Zones: 4 to 9

Deschampsia Goldtau Grass

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(2)

Growing Zones: 9 to 11

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Graceful Grasses® Baby Tut® Umbrella Grass

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Growing Zones: 5 to 9

Feather Falls Sedge Grass

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Growing Zones: 5 to 11

Super Blue Liriope

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Now: $34.49 - $59.99
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Growing Zones: 3 to 9

American Beauties Native Plants

The Blues Little Bluestem Grass

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Now: $42.49 - $51.49
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(2)

Growing Zones: 5 to 8

Porcupine Grass

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(1)

Growing Zones: 8 to 10

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Graceful Grasses® Fiber Optic Grass

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Growing Zones: 5 to 8

Royal Purple Lily Turf

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Growing Zones: 5 to 8

Autumn Moor Grass

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Growing Zones: 9 to 11

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Graceful Grasses® Fireworks Variegated Red Fountain Grass

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Now: $29.99 - $41.99
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(1)

Growing Zones: 5 to 9

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Morning Light Ornamental Grass

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Growing Zones: 3 to 9

American Beauties Native Plants

Golden Sunset™ Indiangrass

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(1)

Growing Zones: 7 to 10

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Graceful Grasses® Toffee Twist Sedge Grass

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Now: $29.99

Ornamental Grasses 31 to 60 of 165 total

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.

About Ornamental Grasses

Genus

Carex

Species

2000+

Family

Cyperaceae

Common Names:

Sedges

Native To:

Worldwide

Plant Type:

Ornamental Grasses

Foliage Type:

Herbaceous

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:

3 - 9

Flower Color:

N/A

Flower Bloom Time:

Spring, Summer

Growth Habit:

Clumping, Spreading

Attracts:

Butterflies, Small Mammals, Songbirds

Tolerates

Drought, Heat, Humidity, Poor soil

Resists:

Deer

How To Use Ornamental Grasses In The Garden

These graceful plants supply interesting textures all year and ask for little more than a trim in late winter. Many transition through alluring color phases, moving from soft greens to rich golds, delivering a dynamic presence as the seasons progress. Their sturdy nature and deep roots deter pests and thrive through dry spells, easing up on maintenance duties. Plus, ornamental grasses can create welcoming habitat for birds and beneficial insects.

Place taller varieties as natural partitions for privacy, or let them flow en masse to simulate a gentle meadow effect. Employ their slender, vertical lines to visually connect different areas of a garden, or nestle shorter kinds near stones and companion perennials for a pleasing tapestry. Used as groundcover, grasses can stabilize soil and reduce erosion. In small spaces, pots offer a simple way to adorn patios and doorways with soft arches and feathery seed heads.

Ornamental Grasses Care

Ornamental grasses should be planted in well-draining soil, as they prefer not to sit in waterlogged conditions. While they are drought-tolerant once established, regular watering during the first growing season helps develop a strong root system. These grasses thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Fertilization is generally unnecessary; however, if growth appears sluggish, a light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring can be beneficial.

Pruning ornamental grasses involves cutting back the foliage to a few inches above the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. In colder climates, leaving the foliage intact over winter provides insulation and visual interest; prune in early spring instead. When growing in containers, select a pot with adequate drainage and choose a compact variety suitable for confined spaces. Regular watering is essential for container-grown grasses, as they dry out faster than those in the ground.

Learn More About Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental Grasses Companion Plants

Pair ornamental grasses with perennials and shrubs that thrive in similar conditions—full sun and well-drained soil. These grasses add height and texture while enhancing fall foliage. Great companion plants include butterfly bush, false cypress, Japanese maples, coral bells, phlox, coneflower, and alyssum. For a cohesive look, choose color combinations that set the desired mood or theme. Perfect for garden beds or patio planters!