Introduction
Perennial ornamental grasses have taken the gardening world by storm. With their graceful texture, year-round appeal, and low maintenance requirements, they are a must-have in any landscape design. These versatile plants offer a range of benefits, including vertical interest, movement, seasonal color, and support for wildlife. Whether you’re a beginner gardener or an experienced landscape designer, incorporating ornamental grasses into your garden adds both beauty and resilience.
In this guide, we’ll explore 10 perennial ornamental grasses that gardening pros always recommend. These grasses thrive in diverse climates, offer long-lasting appeal, and require minimal maintenance. Let’s dive into these green wonders that bring your garden to life.
1. Feather Reed Grass
Feather Reed Grass is a tall, upright perennial that thrives in most climates. With its elegant plumes and narrow green foliage, it adds vertical interest and movement to any garden. It’s ideal for borders, containers, and windbreaks. This grass is low-maintenance, disease-resistant, and remains attractive even through winter, making it a landscaper’s favorite.
- Grows up to 5 feet tall—perfect for borders or as a focal point.
- Plumes appear in early summer and persist into winter.
- Tolerates cold, clay soils, and urban pollution.
- Virtually pest- and disease-free.
Pro Tip: Use it in groups for visual rhythm along pathways or fences. The cultivar ‘Karl Foerster’ is especially beloved for its strong vertical lines and durability.
2. Blue Fescue
Blue Fescue is a compact, clump-forming grass known for its fine-textured, steel-blue foliage. Perfect for edging, rock gardens, or mass planting, it provides a striking contrast to green-leaved plants. It thrives in full sun, tolerates drought, and requires minimal care. Its tidy shape and bold color make it a go-to for ornamental garden design.
- Grows only 10–12 inches tall, perfect for edging and rock gardens.
- Evergreen in mild climates.
- Extremely drought-tolerant.
- Non-invasive and easy to divide.
Pro Tip: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil to maintain its vibrant blue color. Use it in mass plantings for a dramatic carpet effect.
3. Japanese Forest Grass
This cascading, shade-loving grass is prized for its graceful arching habit and vibrant golden-green foliage. Japanese Forest Grass adds elegance to shady borders, woodland gardens, and containers. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil and creates a lush, flowing look. Its slow-spreading habit and seasonal color change make it a stylish groundcover or accent plant.
- Ideal for woodland gardens and shaded borders.
- Grows in cascading mounds, about 12–18 inches tall.
- Turns coppery red in fall.
- Slow-spreading and non-aggressive.
Pro Tip: Combine with hostas, ferns, and astilbes for a lush, layered effect in shady spots. It does best in moist, well-drained soil.
4. Switchgrass
Native to North America, Switchgrass is a hardy, upright grass that offers year-round beauty. Its airy flower heads emerge in summer, followed by golden fall color and winter structure. It tolerates a range of soils, including wet or clay, and supports wildlife. Switchgrass is perfect for naturalistic plantings, rain gardens, and erosion control.
- Grows up to 6 feet tall.
- Produces airy, reddish flower heads in late summer.
- Turns golden-yellow in fall and persists into winter.
- Deer-resistant and salt-tolerant.
Pro Tip: Great for erosion control on slopes or rain gardens. Cultivars like ‘Shenandoah’ and ‘Northwind’ offer different colors and forms.
5. Maiden Grass
Maiden Grass is a tall, arching variety with feathery flower plumes and fine-textured green foliage that turns golden in fall. It’s a standout in borders or as a privacy screen. Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, it grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It adds drama, movement, and vertical structure to any garden space.
- It can grow 4–8 feet tall and wide.
- Plumes appear in late summer and stay through winter.
- Foliage turns golden or reddish in fall.
- Works well as a screen or backdrop.
Pro Tip: Cut back to 6 inches in early spring to encourage new growth. Choose non-seeding varieties to prevent spreading in natural areas.
6. Purple Fountain Grass
Though technically perennial only in warm zones, Purple Fountain Grass is often used as an annual in colder climates. Its burgundy foliage and soft, flowing plumes bring a tropical feel to landscapes and containers. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Gardeners love it for its bold color, soft texture, and graceful form.
- Arching burgundy foliage and soft purple plumes.
- Grows 3–5 feet tall.
- Loves full sun and heat.
- Perfect in containers, borders, or as an accent.
Pro Tip: Plant in large pots or flower beds where you want eye-catching color and movement. Protect from frost or bring indoors during cold months.
7. Little Bluestem
Little Bluestem is a native prairie grass known for its upright blue-green stems that turn reddish-orange in fall. It’s drought-tolerant, thrives in poor soils, and attracts pollinators. This compact grass is ideal for low-maintenance gardens and naturalistic landscapes. Its multi-season interest and wildlife benefits make it a favorite among eco-conscious gardeners.
- Grows 2–4 feet tall.
- Tolerates poor, dry soils.
- Attracts butterflies and birds.
- Extremely low maintenance.
Pro Tip: Excellent in xeriscapes and native plant gardens. Cultivars like ‘The Blues’ have enhanced blue foliage and stronger stems.
8. Northern Sea Oats
This ornamental grass is celebrated for its unique, dangling seed heads that resemble flattened oats. Northern Sea Oats grow well in sun or part shade and prefer moist soil. The attractive foliage turns coppery in fall, providing seasonal interest. It self-seeds readily, so some maintenance may be needed to control its spread in garden beds.
- Grows 2–5 feet tall.
- Great for partial shade and moist soils.
- Attractive to pollinators and birds.
- Foliage turns bronze in fall.
Pro Tip: Deadhead in late summer to control self-seeding. Use in rain gardens, along creeks, or in woodland settings.
9. Muhly Grass
Known for its cotton-candy-like pink plumes in fall, Muhly Grass adds vibrant, airy beauty to garden borders. It’s drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and thrives in hot, dry conditions. The wispy texture creates movement in the landscape. Ideal for mass plantings, containers, or as a stunning focal point, Muhly Grass offers both beauty and resilience.
- Grows 3–4 feet tall.
- Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.
- Beautiful in motion and sunlight.
- Needs full sun and well-drained soil.
Pro Tip: Try it in groupings for a “pink mist” effect. Cultivars like ‘White Cloud’ offer a white version of the iconic blooms.
10. Indian Grass
Indian Grass is a native, warm-season perennial grass that adds golden charm to fall gardens. It grows tall with upright blades and golden flower plumes. It’s tolerant of poor soils, drought, and erosion. Often used in prairie or meadow gardens, it supports wildlife and pollinators, making it a top choice for sustainable landscapes.
- Reaches 4–7 feet tall.
- Turns brilliant gold in autumn.
- Supports pollinators and birds.
- Withstands drought, wind, and poor soils.
Pro Tip: Great in native gardens and meadows. Combine with coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and other prairie perennials for a naturalistic look.
Benefits of Perennial Ornamental Grasses
Whether you’re designing a new landscape or refreshing your current garden, these grasses offer a range of benefits:
Low Maintenance: Most ornamental grasses are drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and require little fertilization.
Year-Round Interest: From spring green growth to fall color and winter structure, grasses keep your garden beautiful across seasons.
Soil & Erosion Control: Deep root systems help prevent soil erosion and improve soil health over time.
Wildlife Support: Many grasses provide shelter and food for birds, bees, and butterflies.
Versatile Uses: Use grasses as privacy screens, borders, erosion control, or focal points.
How to Grow and Care for Ornamental Grasses
Growing ornamental grasses is generally easy, but here are a few tips to ensure success:
1. Choose the Right Grass for Your Zone
Make sure your selected grass is hardy in your USDA zone. Some tropical-looking varieties are only perennial in warmer zones.
2. Provide the Right Light
Most grasses prefer full sun (6+ hours daily), though some like Japanese Forest Grass tolerate shade.
3. Water Wisely
Newly planted grasses need regular watering until established. Mature grasses are often drought-tolerant.
4. Divide Every Few Years
To keep them healthy and prevent overcrowding, divide clump-forming grasses every 3–5 years.
5. Cut Back in Late Winter or Early Spring
Before new growth appears, cut grasses back to 4–6 inches to rejuvenate their appearance.
Conclusion
Ornamental grasses aren’t just background fillers — they’re design elements that offer beauty, structure, and environmental benefits. Whether you prefer the bold plumes of Maiden Grass, the blue hue of Blue Fescue, or the pink clouds of Muhly Grass, there’s a perennial ornamental grass perfect for your garden.
By selecting from these 10 gardening pro-approved varieties, you’re investing in plants that will thrive year after year with minimal effort and maximum visual impact.