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Ornamental grasses

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

199 plants

Ornamental grasses in the database

Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris Arundinacea Picta) — reaching up to 2-3 feet in height

Grass

Reed Canary Grass

Phalaris Arundinacea Picta

FullUSDA 6–9
Rose Muhly (Muhlenbergia Reverchonii) — Esteemed for its feathery pink to rose-red inflorescences that bloom in late summer to fall

Grass

Rose Muhly

Muhlenbergia Reverchonii

FullUSDA 5–10
Rosy Sedge (Carex Rosea) — weaving effortlessly into both formal and naturalistic settings

Grass

Rosy Sedge

Carex Rosea

FullUSDA 8–11
Rusty Sedge (Carex subfusca) — gold flowers in the garden

Grass

Rusty Sedge

Carex subfusca

FullUSDA 5–10
Ryegrass (Lolium Sp.) — It is well-suited for temperate climates, favoring full sun exposure but capable of tolerating light shade, image 32

Grass

Ryegrass

Lolium Sp.

FullUSDA 2–9
Sacahuista (Nolina microcarpa) — grass for full or half

Grass

Sacahuista

Nolina microcarpa

FullUSDA 5–11
Sandberg Bluegrass (Poa Secunda) — this grass prefers full sun to partial shade and thrives in well-drained soils

Grass

Sandberg Bluegrass

Poa Secunda

FullUSDA 3–9
San Diego Sedge (Carex Spissa) — Ideal for naturalistic designs, it offers excellent erosion control and habitat for wildlife

Grass

San Diego Sedge

Carex Spissa

FullUSDA 8–10
Seashore Paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) — moderate watering helps maintain its vibrant character

Grass

Seashore Paspalum

Paspalum vaginatum

FullUSDA 1–11
Seersucker Sedge (Carex plantaginea) — grass for full or half or shade

Grass

Seersucker Sedge

Carex plantaginea

FullUSDA 3–8
Sheep's Fescue (Festuca Trachyphylla 'Rana Creek') — scientifically known as Festuca trachyphylla 'Rana Creek'

Grass

Sheep's Fescue

Festuca Trachyphylla 'Rana Creek'

FullUSDA 8–9
Shenandoah Switch Grass (Panicum Virgatum 'Shenandoah') — This drought-tolerant grass thrives in full sun and well-drained soils

Grass

Shenandoah Switch Grass

Panicum Virgatum 'Shenandoah'

FullUSDA 4–9
Side Oats Grama (Bouteloua Curtipendula) — it thrives in full sun and well-drained soils; this ornamental grass adds a fine-textured

Grass

Side Oats Grama

Bouteloua Curtipendula

FullUSDA 5–11
Silver Arrow Miscanthus (Miscanthus Sinensis 'Silberfeder') — is a striking ornamental grass standing up to 7 feet tall and 4 feet wide

Grass

Silver Arrow Miscanthus

Miscanthus Sinensis 'Silberfeder'

FullUSDA 5–9
Silver Beardgrass (Bothriochloa Barbinodis) — adding a shimmering texture to the landscape

Grass

Silver Beardgrass

Bothriochloa Barbinodis

FullUSDA 10–11
Slender Hairgrass (Deschampsia Elongata) — This species flourishes in USDA zones 4-9, preferring partial shade and moist soil conditions

Grass

Slender Hairgrass

Deschampsia Elongata

FullUSDA 3–10
Slender Sedge (Carex Lasiocarpa) — is a captivating addition to any water garden or wetland landscape; minimal maintenance; clip old growth in, image 90

Grass

Slender Sedge

Carex Lasiocarpa

HalfUSDA 5–10
Slough Sedge (Carex Obnupta) — narrow leaves reaching up to 3 feet in height; or areas with poor drainage

Grass

Slough Sedge

Carex Obnupta

FullUSDA 6–9
Smooth Flax Lily (Dianella Longifolia) — Its slender, arching leaves and delicate blue flowers add texture to garden borders

Grass

Smooth Flax Lily

Dianella Longifolia

FullUSDA 8–11
Snowy Wood Rush (Luzula Nivea) — Luzula nivea thrives in partial to full shade

Grass

Snowy Wood Rush

Luzula Nivea

FullUSDA 6–9
Soft Rush (Juncus Effusus) — It thrives in USDA Zones 4-9, reaching 2-4 feet tall with a 1-2 foot spread; while often considered an ideal choice for wetland or

Grass

Soft Rush

Juncus Effusus

FullUSDA 8–10
Soft-Stem Bulrush (Scirpus Tabernaemontani) — thus contributing to local biodiversity.<br><br>For landscape designers

Aquatic

Soft-Stem Bulrush

Scirpus Tabernaemontani

FullUSDA 9–10
Spike-Spike Melic Grass (Melica Ciliata) — nodding spikes adorned with silky hairs that glint in the sunlight

Grass

Spike-Spike Melic Grass

Melica Ciliata

FullUSDA 5–8
Spiny Rush (Juncus Acutus) — providing habitat for wildlife and erosion control with minimal maintenance; it's resilient to many pests and diseases, image 55

Grass

Spiny Rush

Juncus Acutus

FullUSDA 8–11

Photographs are credited on each plant’s page.