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Ornamental grasses

Grasses for movement, texture, and structure in planting design.

199 plants

Ornamental grasses in the database

Gold Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa Macra 'All Gold') — golden-yellow foliage that forms cascading mounds with a texture that softens the garden space

Grass

Gold Japanese Forest Grass

Hakonechloa Macra 'All Gold'

HalfUSDA 5–9
Great Basin Wild Rye (Leymus Cinereus) — Often reaching heights between 4 to 6 feet with a spread of 3 to 5 feet; which can extend up to 6 feet into the soil

Grass

Great Basin Wild Rye

Leymus Cinereus

FullUSDA 4–8
Great Wood Rush (Luzula Sylvatica) — It sports broad, grass-like leaves up to 12 inches long and thrives in part to full shade; it presents tufted evergreen

Grass

Great Wood Rush

Luzula Sylvatica

FullUSDA 6–9
Greensheath Sedge (Carex feta) — Greensheath Sedge (Carex feta) is a hardy perennial grass-like plant, thriving in USDA zones 5-9

Grass

Greensheath Sedge

Carex feta

HalfUSDA 7–9
Hairy Wood Rush (Luzula Pilosa) — This hardy plant is native to the cooler regions of the Northern Hemisphere; grass for full or half or shade, image 66

Grass

Hairy Wood Rush

Luzula Pilosa

FullUSDA 6–9
Hameln Dwarf Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln') — Drought-tolerant once established

Grass

Hameln Dwarf Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'

FullUSDA 7–10
Hardy Pampas Grass, Ravenna Grass (Erianthus Ravennae) — requiring minimal maintenance while offering dramatic height and movement

Grass

Hardy Pampas Grass, Ravenna Grass

Erianthus Ravennae

FullUSDA 5–10
Heavy Metal Switch Grass (Panicum Virgatum 'Heavy Metal') — Reaching 4 to 5 feet in height with a 2 to 3 feet spread

Grass

Heavy Metal Switch Grass

Panicum Virgatum 'Heavy Metal'

FullUSDA 5–9
Horsetail (Equisetum Hyemale) — Noted for its verticality, this reed-like plant boasts dark green, bamboo-like segments and rough texture; also, image 76

Grass

Horsetail

Equisetum Hyemale

HalfUSDA 9–10
Ice Dance Grass Sedge (Carex Morrowii 'Ice Dance') — Title: Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance' - A Lush Tapestry for Gardens<br><br>The Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance'

Grass

Ice Dance Grass Sedge

Carex Morrowii 'Ice Dance'

HalfUSDA 5–10
Idaho Fescue (Festuca Idahoensis) — it performs optimally with full sun exposure but can endure partial shade

Grass

Idaho Fescue

Festuca Idahoensis

FullUSDA 6–10
Indian Rice Grass (Achnatherum hymenoides) — This grass is truly a multi-faceted addition, embodying both aesthetic and ecological benefits

Grass

Indian Rice Grass

Achnatherum hymenoides

FullUSDA 3–10
Iris-leaved Rush (Juncus Xiphioides) — this rush adds vertical interest and is low maintenance

Grass

Iris-leaved Rush

Juncus Xiphioides

FullUSDA 2–9
Japanese Blood Grass (Imperata Cylindrica 'Rubra') — reaching a height of approximately 16 to 20 inches and a spread of 12 to 18 inches at maturity

Grass

Japanese Blood Grass

Imperata Cylindrica 'Rubra'

FullUSDA 5–10
Japanese Bush Clover (Lespedeza Thunbergii 'Gibraltar') — pair it with ornamental grasses; high-impact presence that captivates viewers with its, image 57

Grass

Japanese Bush Clover

Lespedeza Thunbergii 'Gibraltar'

FullUSDA 5–8
Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa Macra) — rich soils with consistent moisture

Grass

Japanese Forest Grass

Hakonechloa Macra

HalfUSDA 5–9
Japanese Grass Sedge (Carex Morrowii) — scientifically known as Carex morrowii; variegated leaves up to 18 inches long and about 0.5 inches wide, image 139

Grass

Japanese Grass Sedge

Carex Morrowii

HalfUSDA 5–10
Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus Sinensis) — Its arching foliage features prominent silver-green blades; rising above the foliage by 1 to 2 feet

Grass

Japanese Silver Grass

Miscanthus Sinensis

FullUSDA 5–9
Japanese Sweet Flag (Acorus Gramineus) — which helps ensure a long-lived presence in the landscape

Grass

Japanese Sweet Flag

Acorus Gramineus

FullUSDA 5–9
Javelin Rush (Juncus Pallidus) — Juncus pallidus, or Javelin Rush, is an evergreen perennial aquatic plant

Grass

Javelin Rush

Juncus Pallidus

FullUSDA 5–9
June Grass (Koeleria Macrantha) — June Grass (Koeleria macrantha) is a perennial cool-season bunchgrass featuring fine-textured foliage

Grass

June Grass

Koeleria Macrantha

FullUSDA 5–10
Karley Rose Oriental Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Orientale 'Karley Rose') — Its mid-summer to fall blooms and fountain-like form add texture and movement

Grass

Karley Rose Oriental Fountain Grass

Pennisetum Orientale 'Karley Rose'

FullUSDA 7–9
Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster') — This low-maintenance grass thrives in USDA zones 5-9

Grass

Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass

Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'

FullUSDA 3–9
Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa Pratensis) — Highly regarded for its lush; it prefers full sun but tolerates light shade, although growth may become, image 62

Grass

Kentucky Bluegrass

Poa Pratensis

FullUSDA 2–9

Photographs are credited on each plant’s page.