Transform Your Landscape with Ornamental Grasses: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you looking to add some flair to your landscape? Ornamental grasses can provide nonstop performance, strength, and visual impact that will truly elevate your outdoor space. Unlike traditional lawn grasses, ornamental grasses are meant to be grown, not mown, and they come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Whether you’re looking to create a stunning border, add interest to a container garden, or make a statement with a focal point plant, ornamental grasses have you covered.
In this guide, we’ll explore 12 of the best ornamental grasses to grow in your landscape. From low-growing clumping varieties to tall and dramatic spreaders, there’s a grass for every garden need. So let’s dive in and discover the beauty and versatility of ornamental grasses.
Blue Fescue
Blue fescue (Festuca glauca) is a popular choice for its silvery blue foliage and pale green flowers that mature to a buff color. This low-growing grass is perfect for edging, borders, and ground covers. Other ornamental fescue varieties include atlas fescue, California fescue, and sheep fescue.
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- Light:
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- Deer Resistant:
Mexican Feather Grass
Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima or Stipa tenuissima) adds graceful movement to any garden with its feathery flower panicles. This moderate-growing grass is perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to your landscape. Just be mindful as it can spread and reappear in unexpected places.
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- Light:
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- Deer Resistant:
Japanese Forest Grass
Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) is a stunning grass known for its clumping habit and striking foliage that turns orange or bronze in the fall. Varieties like ‘All Gold’ and ‘Aureola’ offer variegated leaves that add a pop of color to borders and containers.
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- Light:
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- Deer Resistant:
Zebra Grass
Zebra grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’) is a showstopper with its green and pale yellow striped leaves. This fast-growing grass can reach heights of 5 feet or more and pairs beautifully with tropical plants for a bold and exotic look.
- USDA Hardiness Zones:
- Light:
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- Deer Resistant:
Bamboo
Bamboo (Bambusa spp. or Phyllostachys spp.) is a fast-growing grass that adds a tropical vibe to any landscape. With a variety of cold-hardy options available, bamboo is a versatile choice for both warm and cool climates.
- USDA Hardiness Zones:
- Light:
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- Deer Resistant:
Purple Fountain Grass
Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’) is a popular landscaping plant known for its striking form and reddish-purple color. With its feathery flowers and drought-tolerant nature, this grass is a low-maintenance option for adding flair to your garden.
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- Light:
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- Deer Resistant:
New Zealand Flax
New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) is a slow-growing grass with deep-red, purplish-bronze leaves. While it requires occasional maintenance, dividing clumps every few years can help you propagate new plants for free.
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- Light:
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- Deer Resistant:
Japanese Blood Grass
Japanese blood grass (Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’) is a colorful grass with red, yellow, and green blades. This fast-growing grass adds a pop of color to borders and containers, but be aware of its invasive tendencies in some regions.
- USDA Hardiness Zones:
- Light:
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- Deer Resistant:
Blue Oat Grass
Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens, Avena candida) is a fast-growing ornamental with silver-blue blades and a light beige dome in the summer. This salt- and drought-tolerant grass is perfect for rock gardens and borders.
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- Light:
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- Deer Resistant:
Pink Muhly Grass
Pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) is a slow-growing grass known for its fall- and winter-blooming pink flowers. This ornamental grass looks best when planted in mass clumps in perennial borders or native gardens.
- USDA Hardiness Zones:
- Light:
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- Deer Resistant:
Egyptian Papyrus
Egyptian papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) adds a touch of exotic beauty to any garden with its tall stature and moist soil requirements. This perennial grass thrives in water gardens and regions without freezing temperatures.
- USDA Hardiness Zones:
- Light:
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- Deer Resistant:
Black Mondo Grass
Black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’) is a slow-growing ground cover with dark greenish-purple leaves. Pair it with light-colored plants for a striking contrast in your landscape.
- USDA Hardiness Zones:
- Light:
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- Deer Resistant:
Tips for Maintaining Ornamental Grasses
- Pruning needs depend on the species. Cutting back ornamental grasses in early spring can help restore vigor and prevent them from toppling over.
- Divide mature clumps every few years to maintain healthy growth.
- Look for ornamental grass species that are suitable for your growing zone to ensure winter survival.
Potential Caution
- Some ornamental grasses, like Mexican feather grass and Japanese blood grass, are considered invasive in certain regions. Confirm your state’s laws before planting these species.
Incorporating ornamental grasses into your landscape can transform your outdoor space into a beautiful and dynamic environment. With a wide range of colors, textures, and sizes to choose from, there’s an ornamental grass for every garden style. So why wait? Start landscaping with ornamental grasses today and watch your outdoor space thrive with beauty and vitality.
Sources:
– University of California Master Gardener Program. Mexican Feather Grass: Invasive Beauty can be Deceiving
– USDA National Invasive Species Information Center. Golden Bamboo
– University of Georgia Extension. Deer-Tolerant Ornamental Plants
– Missouri Botanical Garden. Imperata Cylindrica ‘Rubra’.
Remember to always check your local regulations and guidelines before planting any new species in your landscape. Happy gardening!
