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Ornamental grasses

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

199 plants

Ornamental grasses in the database

St. Augustine Grass (Lawn) (Stenotaphrum Secundatum) — depending on climate conditions - being particularly vital through the hot summer months

Grass

St. Augustine Grass (Lawn)

Stenotaphrum Secundatum

FullUSDA 7–11
Sweet Flag (Acorus Calamus) — Notable for its ease of care and rhizomatous growth; ideal for water gardens, Sweet Flag's green-yellow flowers bloom in early

Grass

Sweet Flag

Acorus Calamus

HalfUSDA 4–10
Switch Grass (Panicum Virgatum) — Panicum virgatum, or Switch Grass, is a robust perennial native to North American prairies

Grass

Switch Grass

Panicum Virgatum

FullUSDA 5–9
Tall Fescue (Festuca Arundinacea) — Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is a robust, cool-season grass, favored for its adaptability

Grass

Tall Fescue

Festuca Arundinacea

FullUSDA 4–8
Tasmanian Flax Lily (Dianella Tasmanica) — or within container gardens; often chosen for its attractive foliage and vibrant indigo berries

Grass

Tasmanian Flax Lily

Dianella Tasmanica

FullUSDA 8–11
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — it's ideal for warm climates in USDA zones 9-11; grass for full, image 54

Grass

Tender Fountain Grass

Pennisetum Setaceum

FullUSDA 7–10
Texas Sedge (Carex Texensis) — Thriving in USDA zones 5-9, it reaches a height of 6-12 inches and spreads gradually via rhizomes

Grass

Texas Sedge

Carex Texensis

FullUSDA 5–9
Thatching Reed (Thamnochortus Insignis) — Low maintenance; prune only to remove old foliage

Grass

Thatching Reed

Thamnochortus Insignis

FullUSDA 6–11
Tufted Hair Grass (Deschampsia Cespitosa) — though it grows best in moist; blend seamlessly into meadow plantings

Grass

Tufted Hair Grass

Deschampsia Cespitosa

FullUSDA 4–9
Tussock Sedge (Carex Stricta) — The inconspicuous greenish-brown flower spikes appear in late spring; plant spacing of 1.5 to 2.5 feet on center is, image 97

Grass

Tussock Sedge

Carex Stricta

FullUSDA 3–9
Umbrella Lily (Dianella Ensifolia) — sporting starry blooms and vibrant blue berries; effortlessly enhancing the garden's aesthetic with its tropical flair

Grass

Umbrella Lily

Dianella Ensifolia

FullUSDA 7–11
Upright Maiden Grass (Miscanthus Sinensis 'Gracillimus') — In fall, it reaches 5 to 6 feet tall and displays copper blooms that transform into silvery plumes

Grass

Upright Maiden Grass

Miscanthus Sinensis 'Gracillimus'

FullUSDA 5–10
Variegated Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis Acutiflora 'Avalanche') — with plumes appearing in summer

Grass

Variegated Feather Reed Grass

Calamagrostis Acutiflora 'Avalanche'

FullUSDA 3–9
Variegated Grass Sedge (Carex Morrowii 'Variegata') — a clump-forming evergreen sedge

Grass

Variegated Grass Sedge

Carex Morrowii 'Variegata'

HalfUSDA 6–10
Variegated Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa Macra 'Stripe It Rich') — This ornamental grass is a cultivar known for its graceful

Grass

Variegated Japanese Forest Grass

Hakonechloa Macra 'Stripe It Rich'

HalfUSDA 5–9
Variegated Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa Macra 'Albo-Striata') — adding a textural and color contrast in the garden

Grass

Variegated Japanese Forest Grass

Hakonechloa Macra 'Albo-Striata'

HalfUSDA 5–9
Variegated Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus Sinensis 'Variegatus') — It features arching green blades edged with creamy white stripes, creating a luminous

Grass

Variegated Japanese Silver Grass

Miscanthus Sinensis 'Variegatus'

FullUSDA 5–11
Variegated Reed Grass (Calamagrostis 'Overdam') — offers year-round interest with its feathery plumes and cream-striped foliage

Grass

Variegated Reed Grass

Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

FullUSDA 5–10
Variegated Sweet Flag (Acorus Calamus 'Variegatus') — Variegated Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus 'Variegatus') is an ornamental

Grass

Variegated Sweet Flag

Acorus Calamus 'Variegatus'

HalfUSDA 4–9
Variegated Tasmanian Flax Lily (Dianella Tasmanica 'Variegata') — is a striking ornamental grass-like perennial that features green foliage striped with creamy

Grass

Variegated Tasmanian Flax Lily

Dianella Tasmanica 'Variegata'

FullUSDA 8–11
Vetiver (Chrysopogon Zizanioides) — Note that Vetiver is relatively low maintenance

Grass

Vetiver

Chrysopogon Zizanioides

FullUSDA 7–9
Weeping Brown Sedge (Carex Flagellifera) — arching bronze-red foliage

Grass

Weeping Brown Sedge

Carex Flagellifera

FullUSDA 5–10
Western Meadow Sedge (Carex Praegracilis) — ranging from well-drained to consistently moist

Grass

Western Meadow Sedge

Carex Praegracilis

FullUSDA 6–10
White Cloud Awn Muhly (Muhlenbergia 'White Cloud') — feathery blooms rise just above the foliage

Grass

White Cloud Awn Muhly

Muhlenbergia 'White Cloud'

FullUSDA 7–11

Photographs are credited on each plant’s page.