Ornamental Grasses

Graceful and fluid, ornamental grasses not only offer year-round appeal, they add a sense of movement and soothing sound to a landscape as well. Beautiful in the spring, summer, and fall, many believe they are at their best when providing seasonal interest and beauty in the winter garden. Ornamental grasses are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they are suitable for specimen plants or can also be used as screens and hedges.  

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Annual Grasses

Cymbopogon citratus
lemon grass
Ornamental grass

Height: 2 - 4 ft. 
Spread: 2 - 3 ft.
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Time: Rarely flowers

Pennisetum 'First Knight'
fountain grass
Ornamental grass

Height: 4 - 5 ft.
Spread: 2 - 3 ft.
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Bloom Time: Rarely flowers

Melinis nerviglumis 'Pink Crystals'
ruby grass​
Ornamental grass

Height: 1.5 - 2 ft.
Spread: 0.75 - 1.5 ft.
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Time: July to August

Pennisetum glaucum 'Jade Princess'
pearl millet
Ornamental grass

Height: 2 - 4 ft. 
Spread: 1.5 - 2 ft. 
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Time: June to September

Melinis nerviglumus 'Savannah'
ruby grass​
Ornamental grass

Height: 0.5 - 1.5 ft.
Spread: 0.75 - 1 ft.
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Time: July to August

Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Majesty'
pearl millet
Ornamental grass

Height: 3 - 5 ft.
Spread: 2 - 3 ft.
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Time: July to September

Nassella tenuissima
finestem needlegrass
Ornamental grass

Height: 1 - 2 ft.
Spread: 1 - 2 ft.
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Bloom Time: June to September

Pennisetum setaceum 'Fireworks'
fountain grass
Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 3 - 4 ft.
Spread: 2 - 3 ft. 

Perennial Grasses

Bouteloua curtipendula
blue grama
Ornamental grass

Height: 1.5 - 2.5 ft. 
Spread: 1.5 - 2 ft. 
Sun: Full sun 
Bloom Time: July to August

Muhlenbergia capillaris
pink muhlygrass
Ornamental grass

Height: 2 - 3 ft. 
Spread: 2 - 3 ft. 
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Bloom Time: September to November

Bouteloua gracilis
blue grama
Ornamental grass

Height: 0.75 - 2 ft.
Spread: 1.5 - 2 ft.
Sun: Full sun 
Bloom Time: June to August

Muhlenbergia reverchonii UNDAUNTED
muhly grass
Ornamental grass

Height: 1.5 - 2 ft.
Spread: 1.5 - 2 ft.
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Time: August to November

Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition'
blue grama
Ornamental grass

Height: 0.75 - 2.5 ft.
Spread: 0.75 - 1.5 ft.
Sun: Full sun 
Bloom Time: June to August

Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'
switch grass
Ornamental grass

Height: 4 - 5 ft.
Spread: 2 - 2.5 ft.
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Bloom Time: July to February

Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
feather reed grass 
Ornamental grass

Height: 3 - 5 ft.
Spread: 1.5 - 2.5 ft. 
Sun: Full sun 
Bloom Time: May to February

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Ginger Love'
fountain grass
Ornamental grass

Height: 2 - 3 ft.
Spread: 2 - 3 ft.
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Bloom Time: July to February

Chasmanthium latifolium
northern sea oats
Ornamental grass

Height: 2 - 5 ft. 
Spread: 1 - 2.5 ft. 
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Bloom Time: August to September

Pennisetum alopecuroides HUSH PUPPY
fountain grass
Ornamental grass

Height: 2.5 - 3 ft.
Spread: 3 - 4 ft.
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Bloom Time: August to October

Eragrostis spectabilis
purple lovegrass
Ornamental grass

Height: 1 - 2 ft.
Spread: 1 - 2 ft.
Sun: Full sun 
Bloom Time: July to August

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Piglet'
fountain grass
Ornamental grass

Height: 0.75 - 1.5 ft.
Spread: 1 - 2 ft.
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Bloom Time: August to October

Festuca 'Cool as Ice'
tall fescue
Ornamental grass

Height: 1 - 1.5 ft. 
Spread: 1.5 - 2 ft. 
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Bloom Time: May to July

Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation'
little bluestem
Ornamental grass

Height: 2 - 4 ft.
Spread: 1.5 - 2 ft.
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Time: August to February

Festuca glauca 'Boulder Blue'
tall fescue
Ornamental grass

Height: 0.5 - 0.75 ft.
Spread: 0.5 - 0.75 ft.
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Time: July to August

Schizachyrium scoparium 'Jazz'
little bluestem
Ornamental grass

Height: 2 - 2.5 ft.
Spread: 1 - 1.5 ft. 
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Time: August to February

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'
Japanese forest grass​
Ornamental grass

Height: 1 - 1.5 ft.
Spread: 1 - 1.5 ft.
Sun: Part shade
Bloom Time: July to August

Sorghastrum nutans 'St. Louis'
Indian grass
Ornamental grass

Height: 4 - 6 ft.
Spread: 2 - 3 ft.
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Time: September to February

Hakonechloa macra 'Beni-kaze'
Japanese forest grass​
Ornamental grass

Height: 1 - 1.5 ft.
Spread: 2 - 3 ft. 
Sun: Part shade
Bloom Time: July to August

Sporobolus heterolepis
prairie dropseed
Ornamental grass

Height: 2 - 3 ft.
Spread: 2 - 3 ft.
Sun: Full sun
Bloom Time: August to October