Types of Ornamental Grass and Which to Plant | NatureHills.com

To kick off the list, we have Bluestem Grass. A true north american native that’s considered a warm season grass which means they do the best in dry, well drained soil and will really get growing once the soil temperature warms up. In the winter many varieties will have purplish seed heads that turn white as they mature but you can’t beat the orange-bronze fall color these have to finish off the warm months. Enjoy the winter texture but make sure to cut it back each spring before it starts growing. Try adding Little Bluestem or The Blues Little Bluestem to your landscape.
Next is the flowy Feather Reed Grass. When you think of ornamental grasses, these varieties probably come to mind first with favorites like Karl Foerster among the ranks. Known for being hardy and adapting well, these cool season grasses get growing earlier and come in just about any size variation depending on the variety. A quick cut in the spring is just about the only maintenance needed so you can spend the rest of the season admiring the straw-like texture and ornamental seed heads that develop in the fall. If you’d like a feather reed but Karl Foerster isn’t your cup of tea, try Avalanche or Variegated Feather Reed Grass.
Okay, who doesn’t love Fountain Grass? You know the grasses with the fuzzy plumes, perfect for picking and running your hands though? Most fountain grass varieties are smaller, and have round uniform clumping habits. The new introductions come in an assortment of different colors but each one's main feature are the fuzzy seed heads that develop later in the season. Keep in mind fountain grass is a warm-season variety so it'll need an early spring cut and some time to really get growing each spring. Dwarf Fountain Grass is a great classic green option or try Purple fountain grass for darker pops in the landscape.
Now, if you want a grass that makes a statement, you have to consider planting Maiden Grass, which is sometimes called flame grass. They’re sure to catch the eyes with their tall, vase shape and blue-green foliage. Now, not to be confused with the feather reed grasses I mentioned earlier, these develop large feathery looking seed heads in the fall that add interest during the fall months. Many of these warm season grasses will turn various shades of red-orange in the fall. A few popular options are the Adagio, Purple Flame, Porcupine and Little Miss Maiden Grass - each boasting their own unique set of colors.
If the goal is to use your grass in ornamental arrangements, then Pampas is what you want. There aren’t as many varieties of Pampas available - they really took the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” to heart with this grass. These varieties have a coarse texture and grow in large clumps but the real show starts when the giant feathery seed heads develop. Whether you cut them and add them to your fall arrangements or leave them to add interest over the winter months, they’ll definitely turn heads. Pampas grass mostly grows in warmer climates (and is a wam season grass) but there are a few that will work in colder areas. Plant Pampas, or Pink Pampas grass as a specimen,backdrop or screening plant.
Next, are Sedges, and with over 1800 different species, there’s 100% a carex for you. And yes, ok, technically these aren’t grasses but they’re a personal favorite of mine and they’re close enough they really should be included here. These make perfect container plants that can be put in front of your door step or out on the patio. These come in just about every variation of green you can think of, variegated green and white, lime, green-blue or if that’s not your speed there’s others with orange tinges or more classically brown. Plus, many varieties work well in shady areas, a uniquely sedge characteristic. Make sure to check out the Evercolor collection or Orange New Zealand Sedge Grass.
I’ll round out our list with Switch Grass, a coarse, wide-bladed blue-green-leaved family. These can reach up to 6 feet and tolerate all kinds of soil and even short periods of soggy or drought conditions. The seed heads are often red, seedy and panicle shaped that offer added texture to the landscape in the fall and winter. The only maintenance these warm-season grasses need is a yearly prune in the spring before it starts to grow. As the blue-green blades mature throughout the year, they’ll often turn red which earns them the nickname Red Switch Grass. Northwind, Shenandoah and Dallas Blues Switch Grass are all great options.
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