Ornamental grasses are among the most versatile plants in landscaping. They add movement, texture, color, and year-round interest while requiring relatively little maintenance once established.
Whether you’re looking for a towering privacy screen, a colorful garden accent, or a drought-tolerant native plant, there’s an ornamental grass suited to almost every landscape.
This guide covers the most popular types of ornamental grasses, organized by size, color, and landscape use.
Quick Answer: What Are the Best Types of Ornamental Grasses?
Popular ornamental grasses include:
- Pampas Grass
- Fountain Grass
- Maiden Grass
- Feather Reed Grass
- Blue Fescue
- Japanese Forest Grass
- Pink Muhly Grass
- Switchgrass
- Little Bluestem
- Northern Sea Oats
The best choice depends on your climate, available space, sunlight, and landscape goals.
What Are Ornamental Grasses?
Ornamental grasses are plants grown primarily for:
- Texture
- Foliage color
- Architectural form
- Seed heads
- Seasonal interest
Unlike turfgrass, ornamental grasses are not intended for mowing and often serve as focal points or accent plants in landscapes.
Benefits of Ornamental Grasses
Many gardeners choose ornamental grasses because they:
- Require minimal maintenance
- Tolerate drought
- Attract birds and pollinators
- Add winter interest
- Resist many pests and diseases
- Thrive in poor soils
Additionally, their graceful movement adds life to any garden.
Tall Ornamental Grasses
Tall ornamental grasses create dramatic focal points, privacy screens, and background plantings.
Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana)
One of the most recognizable ornamental grasses.
Features
- Large white plumes
- Height: 8–12 feet
- Fast growth
Best For
- Privacy screens
- Large landscapes
- Coastal gardens
Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)
Produces attractive bottlebrush flower spikes.
Features
- Arching growth
- Soft plumes
- Height: 2–5 feet
Best For
- Borders
- Accent plantings
Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’)
Popular for its dramatic foliage color.
Features
- Burgundy leaves
- Purple flower spikes
- Height: 3–5 feet
Best For
- Containers
- Seasonal displays
Fireworks Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’)
A colorful variation of Purple Fountain Grass.
Features
- Red, pink, and green variegation
- Dramatic foliage
Best For
- Decorative focal points
Vertigo Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum)
Known for its huge leaves and bold appearance.
Features
- Dark purple foliage
- Height: 5–8 feet
Best For
- Tropical-style gardens
King Tut Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus)
Technically a sedge but often used like an ornamental grass.
Features
- Umbrella-shaped foliage
- Height: 5–8 feet
Best For
- Water gardens
- Pond edges
New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax, P. cookianum)
A striking architectural plant.
Features
- Sword-shaped leaves
- Many color varieties
Best For
- Modern landscapes
Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis)
One of the most popular ornamental grasses.
Features
- Graceful arching habit
- Attractive plumes
- Height: 4–8 feet
Best For
- Borders
- Privacy plantings
Zebra Grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’)
A unique Maiden Grass cultivar.
Features
- Horizontal yellow bands
- Height: 5–7 feet
Best For
- Accent plantings
Silver Grass (Miscanthus sacchariflorus)
Produces showy silver flower heads.
Features
- Tall growth
- Silvery plumes
Best For
- Large landscapes
Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’)
A favorite among landscape designers.
Features
- Upright habit
- Narrow footprint
- Height: 4–6 feet
Best For
- Small spaces
- Formal gardens
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
A native prairie grass.
Features
- Blue-green foliage
- Reddish fall color
- Height: 5–8 feet
Best For
- Native landscapes
Medium and Short Ornamental Grasses
These grasses work well in borders, containers, and smaller gardens.
Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)
A compact ornamental favorite.
Features
- Blue-gray foliage
- Height: 8–12 inches
Best For
- Edging
- Rock gardens
Blue Whiskers Fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Blue Whiskers’)
A refined Blue Fescue cultivar.
Features
- Bright blue foliage
- Compact growth
Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens)
Offers striking steel-blue color.
Features
- Upright growth
- Height: 2–3 feet
Best For
- Modern gardens
Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’)
A graceful shade-loving grass.
Features
- Golden variegated foliage
- Cascading habit
Best For
- Shade gardens
Evergold Japanese Sedge (Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’)
A colorful ornamental sedge.
Features
- Green and gold stripes
- Compact growth
Best For
- Containers
- Shade borders
Mexican Feather Grass (Stipa tenuissima)
One of the most graceful ornamental grasses.
Features
- Fine-textured foliage
- Airy movement
Best For
- Xeriscapes
Tufted Hair Grass (Deschampsia cespitosa)
Produces delicate flower clouds.
Features
- Fine foliage
- Airy seed heads
Best For
- Cottage gardens
Prince Tut Dwarf Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus)
A compact version of King Tut.
Features
- Dwarf growth
- Water-loving
Baby Tut Umbrella Grass (Cyperus involucratus)
Ideal for containers.
Features
- Compact size
- Umbrella-like foliage
Blue Mohawk Soft Rush (Juncus inflexus)
An unusual grass-like accent plant.
Features
- Blue-gray stems
- Vertical habit
Best For
- Water features
Colorful Decorative Accent Grasses
These varieties add exceptional seasonal color.
Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
One of the most photographed ornamental grasses.
Features
- Pink cloud-like blooms
- Height: 2–4 feet
Best For
- Fall color displays
Bamboo Muhly (Muhlenbergia dumosa)
Offers a bamboo-like appearance.
Features
- Fine foliage
- Graceful habit
Lindheimer’s Muhly (Muhlenbergia lindheimeri)
A Texas native favorite.
Features
- Silvery foliage
- Drought tolerant
Purple Moor Grass (Molinia caerulea)
Produces elegant flower stems.
Features
- Purple flower tones
- Upright growth
Japanese Blood Grass (Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’)
Known for dramatic red foliage.
Features
- Bright red leaf tips
Best For
- Color accents
Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
Produces distinctive seed heads.
Features
- Flattened seed spikes
- Excellent shade tolerance
Native Prairie and Specialty Grasses
Native grasses support wildlife while providing landscape beauty.
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Popular cultivars include:
- Apache Rose
- Cheyenne Sky
- Totem Pole
- Northwind
- Ruby Ribbons
- Purple Tears
- Shenandoah
Benefits
- Native habitat support
- Excellent fall color
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
A highly ornamental native species.
Features
- Blue foliage
- Bronze fall color
Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
A classic prairie grass.
Features
- Golden flower heads
- Tall growth
Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula)
State grass of Texas.
Features
- Unique oat-like seed heads
Eyelash Grass (Bouteloua ‘Blonde Ambition’)
An award-winning ornamental grass.
Features
- Horizontal seed heads
- Architectural appearance
Cape Mendocino Reed Grass (Calamagrostis foliosa)
A coastal native grass.
Features
- Compact growth
- Evergreen habit
Giant Ryegrass (Elymus condensatus ‘Canyon Prince’)
Offers dramatic silver-blue foliage.
Features
- Architectural form
- Drought tolerance
Torrent Sedge (Carex nudata)
A moisture-loving native sedge.
Features
- Fountain-like growth
Best For
- Rain gardens
- Stream edges
Best Ornamental Grasses for Full Sun
Excellent choices include:
- Pampas Grass
- Pink Muhly Grass
- Switchgrass
- Big Bluestem
- Feather Reed Grass
- Little Bluestem
Best Ornamental Grasses for Shade
Shade-tolerant options include:
- Japanese Forest Grass
- Northern Sea Oats
- Evergold Japanese Sedge
- Tufted Hair Grass
Best Ornamental Grasses for Privacy
For screening and privacy, consider:
- Pampas Grass
- Maiden Grass
- Feather Reed Grass
- Big Bluestem
- Switchgrass
Best Ornamental Grasses for Containers
Container-friendly options include:
- Purple Fountain Grass
- Blue Fescue
- Japanese Forest Grass
- Prince Tut Papyrus
Final Thoughts
Ornamental grasses bring beauty, texture, movement, and seasonal interest to almost any landscape. Whether you prefer towering Pampas Grass, colorful Pink Muhly Grass, elegant Japanese Forest Grass, or wildlife-friendly native prairie grasses, there is an ornamental grass for every garden style.
By selecting varieties suited to your climate and landscape goals, you can enjoy low-maintenance plants that provide year-round visual appeal and habitat value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular ornamental grass?
Maiden Grass, Pampas Grass, and Pink Muhly Grass are among the most popular choices.
Which ornamental grass grows the tallest?
Pampas Grass and King Tut Papyrus can exceed 10 feet under ideal conditions.
What ornamental grass has pink flowers?
Pink Muhly Grass is famous for its pink cloud-like blooms.
Which ornamental grasses grow in shade?
Japanese Forest Grass, Northern Sea Oats, and Evergold Japanese Sedge perform well in shade.
Are ornamental grasses low maintenance?
Most ornamental grasses require minimal watering, fertilizing, and pruning once established.
What ornamental grass works best for privacy?
Pampas Grass, Maiden Grass, and Switchgrass are excellent privacy-screen options.
Do ornamental grasses come back every year?
Most perennial ornamental grasses return annually.
Which ornamental grass is best for containers?
Purple Fountain Grass and Blue Fescue are popular container choices.
Are ornamental grasses drought tolerant?
Many varieties, including Switchgrass, Pink Muhly Grass, and Little Bluestem, tolerate drought well.
Do ornamental grasses attract wildlife?
Yes. Many provide shelter, nesting material, and seeds for birds and beneficial insects.
I’m David man behind Lawn Mowerly; I’ve been dealing with lawnmowers and Tractors with my father since I was a kid. I know every make and model and what each one is capable of and love helping people find the perfect equipment for their needs.