15 Beautiful Ornamental Grasses to Spruce up Your Yard

A beautiful garden is a joy to behold. The best way to create an eye-catching space outdoors is to decorate it with flowering plants, fascinating vegetation, or ornamental grasses.

Japanese forest grass outside Image credits: danusiaaa20

Imagine sitting on your balcony or porch swing and hearing the gentle rustle of ornamental grasses in the breeze. The beautiful texture of these fascinating plants can enhance every garden. They also happen to look great when they’re dried as a decoration. There was a massive craze for dried Pampas grass in 2021.

Tall Pampas grass in a field Image credits: JACLOU-DL

What Are Ornamental Grasses?

Ornamental grasses are decorative grass plants chosen by many gardeners to enhance their gardens with additional texture and color. They vary in height, some reaching up to 15 feet tall, whereas others are mainly used as ground covers. Many decorative grasses are colorful, with some producing showy flower heads lasting weeks or sometimes months. You will mostly find perennial ornamental grasses, but there are a few annual varieties, such as hare’s tail or purple millet. The perennial grasses are low maintenance and last two or more years.

Close-up of Anemanthele grass Image credits: camayenne.art

Ornamental grasses are usually grown in cold temperatures because of their hardiness and come in many varieties, from tall and short to shade and sun-loving to even deer-resistant. Tall ornamental grasses can be used as hedges or provide a natural privacy barrier, while short ornamental grasses can complement your flowers and other plants and work as borders.

Feathertop grass near lavenders and other plants in the garden Image credits: simon_rickard

With so many varieties of decorative grasses, knowing what types you want to start growing might be a challenge. Whether you want to fill in blank spaces in the garden, make a shrubbery bed look lush, or bring some color to the yard, these 15 different types of ornamental grasses do it all.

15 Types of Ornamental Grasses to Add to Your Garden Garden

Silver grass near a path Image credits: KIMDAEJEUNG

When landscaping with ornamental grasses, choosing them according to their size and unique features is best. Different grasses are better suited for shade, erosion prevention, or to become hedges. We have grouped these decorative grasses by size and included their best use. We’ll let you choose the one that fits your vibe.

Pro tip: many people have issues with deer grazing in their gardens and damaging plants. To help protect your plants from deer, we have also added some deer-resistant grasses to the list.

Tall Ornamental Grasses

A close-up view of brownish porcupine grass Image credits: Yuta Koike

Many people grow tall ornamental grasses for privacy or to create beautiful foliage in their backyard. These plants need enough space to grow well and reach a mature size. Here are a few of the most popular tall decorative grasses.

Pampas Grass

Close-up of Pampas grass Image credits: wildflower1213

One of the best drought-tolerant ornamental grasses

Pampas grass is a member of the Poaceae family. These warm-season grasses are tall and well known for their feather-like white plumes that grow above blue-gray foliage. The white flower plumes are usually seen in late summer and fall.

Pampas are pretty hardy and can thrive in tough spots. If you plant them close together, they will grow and enclose a space, creating enough privacy. Ensure their roots can’t spread too far, or they’ll become invasive.

Scientific name: Cortaderia selloana
Light: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
Water: Water intermittently; natural rain is best
Hardiness zones: 6–10
Average size: Up to 5 feet tall
Deer-resistant: Yes

Chinese Silver Grass

Chinese silver grass on either side of a path Image credits: Jimmy Liao

Best for growing in moist conditions

Chinese silver grass is a clump-forming ornamental grass native to Eastern Asia. They thrive in moist soils and come in many colors, from silver and pink to shades of purple and red. Chinese silver grass can transform your yard into a cool and breezy space—you’ll be dazzled seeing it gently rippling in the wind.

Chinese grass needs minimal maintenance; you only need to cut it back once in spring to make way for new growth. They grow feathery-plumed heads, appearing in late summer or early fall.

Scientific name: Miscanthus sinensis
Light: Full or partial sun
Soil: Moist or boggy soil
Water: Lots of water, but don’t pour from overhead
Hardiness zones: 5–9
Average size: 3–10 feet
Deer-resistant: Yes, it is also rabbit-resistant

Feather Reed Grass

Close-up of Feather reed grass Image credits: 04lucy_y

Best for landscaping

This is one of the best ornamental grasses to make your garden look beautiful and elegant. The plant’s sharp, vertical accent adds plenty of color and texture to the yard. Since they grow tall, feather reed grass looks delicate and graceful, swaying in the breeze. They might just end up becoming your favorite plant.

They get their name from the seeds at the tips of their featherlike blades, allowing them to quickly spread into random places.

Scientific name: Calamagrostis acutiflora
Light: Full direct sun
Soil: Well-drained, loamy soil
Water: Daily watering
Hardiness zones: 5–9
Average size: Up to 6 feet
Deer-resistant: Yes

Zebra Grass

Close-up zebra grass Image credits: alicjaguziewiczmilardo

Most unique pattern

This tall grass has an elegant arching form and produces colorful blooms. Its stunning variegated leaves with creamy golden stripes can add contrasting texture to your garden. The color becomes golden during the fall, turning beige in late fall.

The cultivar’s name, “Zebrinus,” refers to the stripes on the plant, which are like a zebra’s stripes. Zebra grass grows relatively fast and dies in winter, only to return in spring. This exotic and tropical-looking grass should be placed with green vegetation to add pops of color.

Scientific name: Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’
Light: Direct sun
Soil: Chalk, sand, or clay
Water: It doesn’t need much watering
Hardiness zones: 5–9
Average size: Up to 7 feet
Deer-resistant: Yes

Umbrella Grass

Umbrella grass near the statue of an elephant on the left image, blue umbrella on a staircase in the right image Image 1 credit: my_green_home_life
Image 2 credit: Ravi Kant

One of the best indoor and shade-tolerant ornamental grasses

This is an easy-to-grow grass, also known as umbrella palm or umbrella sedge. It gets its name from its bracts, which resemble umbrella spokes. The plant’s leaves grow unusually by clasping the stem, making them hard to distinguish. Speaking of umbrellas, here are some cute animals with natural umbrellas.

These larger grasses have nearly 600 varieties and are native to tropical locations. Even though the mature height of the umbrella plant is almost 6 feet, it can be grown as an indoor plant. Since this grass grows best in part shade, you can keep it inside near a windowsill.

Scientific name: Cyperus alternifolius
Light: Part shade
Soil: Moist, boggy soil
Water: Lots of watering
Hardiness zones: 8–9
Average size: Up to 6 feet
Deer-resistant: No, only rabbit resistant

Bamboo Grass

Tall Bamboo grass near a pillar Image credits: twotrees.nv

Fastest-growing ornamental grass

Bamboo grass is a tall perennial plant that grows in a clump and produces bright green leaves. Like many grasses, it grows very quickly and reaches staggering heights. That’s why it’s so popular in landscaping. You can plant it in a way that helps add privacy to your yard. Bamboo grass grows best in places with moderate humidity.

Scientific name:Bambusoideae
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Well-drained sandy or loamy soil
Water: Twice a week
Hardiness zones: 5–6
Average size: 10 feet plus
Deer-resistant: Yes

Medium Ornamental Grasses

Close-up of Purple moor grass Image credits: tuinrondom

These types of ornamental grasses are best for creating hedges or vegetation layers without sacrificing too much space in your yard. You can use them to contrast with other plants or keep them as a standout piece in your garden.

Switchgrass

Switchgrass near other hedges in a garden Image credits: manogardenstories

Best for erosion control

These warm-season grasses are native to North America. Switchgrass produces reddish-purple seed heads, which change to pale yellow in the fall. Some varieties have blue-gray foliage, which turns gold or red in autumn. These narrow and tall grasses are ideal for tight garden spaces.

An interesting plant fact—switchgrass can grow in droughts and high temperatures. You can also cultivate them to help prevent erosion, and they are known to restore prairie meadows. Switchgrass has also been hailed as the next leading biofuel in the United States because it is more efficient than corn.

Scientific name: Panicum virgatum
Light: Full or partial sun
Soil: Sandy or moist soil
Water: Does not need much water and is drought-tolerant
Hardiness zones: 3–9
Average size: 3–6 feet
Deer-resistant: Yes

Little Bluestem

Little bluestem grass near a path Image credits: southern_meadows

Best choice for self-seeding grass

Little bluestem is also known as beardgrass. It is a rampant self-seeder that grows naturally and forms large colonies over time. Growing little bluestem also provides an excellent habitat for birds and insects.

These beautiful plants grow wildly in large clumps, especially in fields and meadows. They produce gray-green leaves that often turn purple, red, and orange in autumn. Little bluestem maintains its color almost through the winter.

Scientific name: Schizachyrium scoparium
Light: Direct sunlight
Soil: Well-drained soil
Water: Moderate water
Hardiness zones: 4–9
Average size: Up to 3 feet tall
Deer-resistant: Yes

Purple Fountain Grass

Close-up of a bright purple fountain grass Image credits: Alefar

A popular choice among low-growing ornamental grasses

Purple fountain grass is known for its arching spikes with purplish flowers. These delicate flower spikes stand out gracefully from their long burgundy leaves. They are eye-catching and very popular ornamental grasses preferred for flower gardens. They look striking next to light green or silvery flowers and plants. Many people also use the feathery seed heads from this plant to make dried flower arrangements.

If you look after your purple fountain grass, it will grow well all year round. When you notice it spreading out too much, remove dead flower heads. You can keep cutting it until it is at a suitable height.

Scientific name: Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’
Light: Prefers sun with a bit of shade
Soil: Well-drained and moist
Water: Regular watering
Hardiness zones: 9–10
Average size: Up to 5 feet
Deer-resistant: Yes

Elephant Grass

A field of Elephant grass Image credits: pakagrin

Best multipurpose grass

Elephant grass, also known as Napier grass or Uganda grass, is a tropical plant native to the African grasslands. These plants require minimal effort to maintain. Elephant grass produces leaves with fine hairs. Its flowers are cylindrical at the top of the stem and have delicate flower spikes. You can use elephant grass as mulch in garden beds or as a way to control weeds.

A cool thing about Elephant grass is that you can actually eat its shoots and leaves. They can be cooked to make soups and stews. According to a 2022 study published in the Scientific African Journal, elephant grass leaves also have diuretic properties.

Scientific name: Pennisetum purpureum
Light: Full direct sunlight
Soil: Rich, deep loamy soil
Water: Requires daily watering
Hardiness zones: 8–11
Average size: 3–10 feet
Deer-resistant: Mildly

Small Ornamental Grasses

Little bunny grass and camomiles in a garden Image credits: studio_marcelmetzger

Dwarf ornamental grasses are perfect for small containers, edging yards, or bordering small vegetative patches. They are easier to start with and don’t take as much effort as larger ornamental grass varieties.

Carex Little Midge

Carex Little Midge grass in a pot Image credits: cherry.ong

Most unusual shape

Carex sedge grass is part of a large genus of plants in the Cyperaceae family, and it has more than 2,000 species worldwide. You can find carex in many habitats, from wetlands to forests and even deserts. These ornamental grasses need consistently moist soil but are surprisingly adaptable to other growing conditions.

The Little Midge variation is a miniature semi-evergreen grass that grows in clumps. It produces bright green leaves that grow in an interesting geometric pattern. This ornamental grass doesn’t produce flowers. It is best suited for indoor container gardens or to be placed at the front of a garden bed.

Scientific name: Carex muskingumensis ‘Little Midge’
Light: Partial or complete shade
Soil: Moist and well-draining
Water: Consistent watering
Hardiness zones: 3–9
Average size: 10–18 inches
Deer-resistant: Yes

Blue Fescue Evergreen Grass

A blue fescue grass near a stone Image credits: californiaplantscapes

Best choice among evergreen ornamental grasses

Blue fescue is a drought-tolerant hardy plant that can grow even in rock gardens. It grows in clumps and produces uniform balls of foliage with a blue hue and feathery straw-like stalks. The flower spikes also have stunning and dramatic colors.

You can cultivate this lower-growing evergreen grass in small crevices, containers, or tight spaces. They can also be used as hanging plants indoors.

Scientific name: Festuca glauca
Light: Partial sun
Soil: Well-drained soil but can also grow in rock gardens
Water: Once or twice a week
Hardiness zones: 4–8
Average size: Up to 1 foot
Deer-resistant: Yes

Dwarf Mondo Grass

Dwarf mondo grass growing near a pavement Image credits: tabananasampo

Best choice among deer-resistant ornamental grasses

The dwarf mondo grass is considered one of the best low-maintenance plants. You can cultivate it as a low-light indoor plant or place it in shady spots in your yard. A tremendous benefit of this grass is that it holds up nicely to light foot traffic. You won’t need to mow it more than once a year.

Dwarf mondo grass has tiny flowers that aren’t too showy. But it also produces blue berries that are hidden in the foliage. Once the flower blooms, you can enjoy the berries and use the seeds to propagate the plant.

Scientific name: Ophiopogon japonicus
Light: Partial shade
Soil: Rich and well-drained soil
Water: Consistently moist but not soggy
Hardiness zones: 6–10
Average size: 4–6 inches
Deer-resistant: Yes

Japanese Forest Grass

Close-up of Japanese forest grass Image credits: tromugi

Best choice for pest-resistant

Japanese forest grass is a wonderful plant that hardly ever has problems with pests. You can grow them as indoor container plantings or place them in the corners of your garden beds. It produces tiny flowers that aren’t very remarkable, but the vibrant greenish-yellow hues of the grass truly stand out.

Since it is a slow-growing plant, you can wait until spring or early summer to divide it for propagation. You don’t need to prune them or fuss about the grass too much. Some people spread mulch over the ground to help keep the soil cool and retain moisture for their growth.

Scientific name: Hakonechloa macra
Light: Partial sunlight
Soil: Moist and well-drained
Water: Frequent watering
Hardiness zones: 4–9
Average size: 1–2 feet
Deer-resistant: Yes

Pink Muhly Grass

Pink muhly grass near a sand path Image credits: sayuriwhite

One of the best choices among non-invasive ornamental grasses

Very few ornamental grasses can rival pink muhly when it comes to color. These plants produce bright pink seed heads from spring through fall that look like cotton candy. Their eye-catching colors help create a soft texture in the yard, which looks especially lovely in the early evening. The plant also maintains its pink clusters during winter.

Pink muhly grass is surprisingly easy to grow, and you will get many blooms year after year. It’s a wonderful addition to a low-maintenance garden.

Scientific name: Muhlenbergia capillaris
Light: Full sun with partial shade
Soil: Drier soil
Water: Does not need much
Hardiness zones: 6–9
Average size: 2–3 feet
Deer-resistant: Yes

Growing and Planting Tips

Now that you know more about these fantastic ornamental grasses for shade, privacy, ground cover, and garden borders, it’s essential to understand better how to care for the plants. While there’s a huge variety of ornamental grasses, many of them share similar preferences for growing conditions.

Soil

Close-up of Hakone grass in stony soil Image credits: goo.kyo

Most ornamental grass species need well-drained soil. Ordinary garden dirt will work just fine. Make sure to plant them in raised garden beds to ensure good drainage over time.

Watering

People watering ornamental grasses Image credits: Gustavo Fring

They should get at least one inch of water a week from rain or watering. You can also set up a drip irrigation system to water the plants and protect them from root rot.

Fertilizing

Blue fescue grass in soil Image credits: livingwestmodern

Ornamental grasses don’t need much fertilizer. You can apply mulch to the base of the plant to moisten the soil. Don’t overuse fertilizers because excess nitrogen can lead to diseases and weaken the plant.

Planting

Umbrella grass in one pot with another plant Image credits: melissa_wets_her_plants

Warm-season grasses should be planted in the spring, and cool-season grasses should be planted in the fall. Tall plants should be placed far apart to ensure they reach full height and maturity.

If you plan to grow them in containers, loosen the roots and place them in the soil. After that, make sure that the soil is firm. The root ball should not have any air pockets around it.

Cutting or Pruning

A person mowing the grass with a lawn mower Image credits: Carl Tronders

You can start cutting them back in late winter or early spring so they stay beautiful throughout the winter. It’s best to cut the stem to a few inches above the ground so that it can grow tall again. Use hedge shears, pruners, or electric shears for best results. This should be done in late winter or early spring for the ornamental grasses to add a welcome respite for birds.

Dividing

A gardener with a piece of a grass with soil in their hand Image credits: Anna Shvets

Dividing ornamental grasses helps to protect them from thinning out or dying out in the center. Ideally, they should be divided every 3–4 years when the plant is still manageable. It can be challenging to dig up an overgrown ornamental grass. Warm grasses should be divided in early spring, whereas cool grasses should be divided in early fall.

First, divide ornamental grass, take a shovel, and separate the root systems. Then, hose off the roots and replant in clumps. Replant immediately so that the roots don’t dry out.

Invasive Ornamental Grass

Close-up of Japanese blood grass Image credits: juergen_s_d

Most ornamental grasses can become invasive if they aren’t looked after properly. However, some you should be particularly careful with. Japanese blood grass (Imperata cylindrica) is one such highly invasive plant that is illegal to sell, distribute, or plant in South Carolina.

Mexican feather grass in stony soil Image credits: thegardendesigngirl

Another invasive variety of ornamental grass is Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima), which has a high and vigorous seed production. It is enlisted as an invasive plant species in California because it produces more than 10,000 seeds, which remain viable for more than four years.

Despite their lovely blooms, ornamental grasses have the potential to outcompete native plant and animal species. This kind of crowding can disrupt the natural ecosystem.

Common Problems With Different Types of Ornamental Grasses

Like all other plants, decorative grasses are also susceptible to diseases and pests. Here are a few common problems that can damage the plants and gardening tips to help you save them:

Rust

One problem often affecting cool-season grasses is rust. You can remove the orange spots by cutting the plants back as soon as they appear.

Disease

Ornamental grasses with low light, excessive fertilization, and poor air circulation might develop a disease. Try to avoid poor growing conditions.

Fungus

If the plants end up with fungus, divide them and space them out to promote good air circulation. You can also use a mild fungicide to combat the problem.

Shine the Spotlight on Your Favorite Ornamental Grass

Decorative grasses are easy to grow, don’t require much maintenance, and can transform your yard. Let us know which ornamental grass you liked the most, and share pictures with us when you grow it in your garden. If you are interested in growing other similar plants, you can look at this Asparagus fern guide.

a close up of a bunch of grass Image credits: Leiada Krozjhen