There are so many types of ornamental grass to choose from that you'll be spoiled for choice if you're looking for ways to keep borders looking good throughout the year. Once perennials finish flowering at the end of summer, flowerbeds can often feel empty and lack interest, but grasses will solve that problem with ease.
As well as being low-maintenance and reliable, grasses fill borders with grace and movement. They have flower panicles that billow in the breeze, and wonderful colour once they take on their autumn hues.
They work hard, performing in summer, autumn and winter alike, and create a beautiful, naturalistic look. Below, we take a look at the 16 types of ornamental grass you could choose for your garden design.
Article continues below1. Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’
A spectacular, ornamental grass, this feather-reed variety forms striking columns of vertical flower panicles that morph to a pretty straw blonde.
Calamagrostis can be planted to form feathery garden screening ideas, and is fast-growing and easy to maintain. It's deciduous and thrives in well-drained soil in open, sunny borders. Its eventual height is 1.5m.
Where to buy calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’:
2. Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’
One of the best varieties of graceful switch grass around, panicum virgatum is useful for creating vertical accents in garden borders to add architectural interest.
The dense clumps of upright blue-green leaves turn to golden amber in autumn and the flowers are golden. This deciduous grass prefers well-drained soil in the sun and has a height of 1.5m.
Where to buy panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’:
3. Stipa gigantea ‘Gold Fontaene’
Stipa gigantea produces panicles of oat-like flowers that shimmer gold in the sunlight above a clump of grey-green leaves.
The arching stems of this majestic semi-evergreen grass are an excellent choice for introducing movement to borders. It prefers well-drained soil in a sunny spot, and grows to a height of 2.5m.
Where to buy stipa gigantea ‘Gold Fontaene’:
4. Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’
This airy deciduous grass billows beautifully on the breeze, and the silvery red-brown flower plumes mature to glistening gold and last well into autumn.
The feathery flowers form shimmering golden clouds that catch the light and this variety is super easy to grow too. It likes a moisture-retentive soil in the sun or semi-shade, and grows to around 75cm.
Where to buy deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’:
5. Pennisetum macrourum
This ornamental grass is a favourite of landscape designer Dan Pearson, who is known for his naturalistic planting style.
The African feather grass has long buff-cream flower wands in late summer and autumn that turn pinky-beige, and are a great choice for arranging in vases too. It spreads gradually in well-drained soil in the sun, and grows to 1.5m.
Where to buy pennisetum macrourum:
6. Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue'
Designers use this spiky polar-blue grass to add drifts and year-round colour at the front of the border. It's also a firm favourite of our editor, Beth Murton, who has planted it in pots on her patio.
It looks good when used in conjunction with garden gravel ideas and Mediterranean-style planting schemes. It also works well in containers and is one of the best plants for winter pots.
In summer, it produces masses of attractive fawn flowerheads. It prefers well-drained sun-baked soil or containers, and grows to a height of 30cm.
Where to buy festuca glauca 'Intense Blue':
7. Stipa tenuissima
A favourite of garden designer Luciano Giubbilei, the green-blonde Mexican feather grass creates movement and lightness at the front of the border as it billows in the breeze.
It's ideal for a sunny gravel garden and also works well in large garden planters. This evergreen is suitable for poor, well-drained soil in full sun, and has an expected height of 50cm.
Where to buy stipa tenuissima:
8. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’
This fabulous fountain grass has green leaves marked with cream stripes that create a lush jungle effect for garden edging.
The leaves sway and rustle on the breeze and this often produces silky spikes of flowers in late summer which last well into the winter months. This is a deciduous grass for well-drained soil in sun, and has a height of 1.5m.
Where to buy miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’:
9. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’
A wonderfully elegant grass that forms a pale clump of slender white and green leaves that arch gently at their tips to create a fountain-like effect.
In warm summers, these types of ornamental grass have reddish brown flowers from early autumn onwards. Grow this deciduous variety in well-drained sun-baked borders or plant it up in a pot as part of your container gardening ideas. The expected height is 1.2m.
Where to buy miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’:
10. Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’
An eye-catching small ornamental grass that forms cascades of arching yellow leaves lined with green that light up areas in semi-shade. When the plant is fully grown, it often develops an attractive reddish tinge.
This grass can be used to soften the edges of garden paths or steps, and also looks great in modern urban planters. It should be planted in well-drained, moist soil in sun or semi-shade, and has an expected height of 40cm.
Where to buy hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’:
11. Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’
An upright mass of blue-green leaves that develop stunning red and damson tones in autumn, topped by a haze of light and airy flowers.
Try planting it in small clumps among taller grasses, or against a background of tall perennials. This deciduous grass thrives in well-drained soil in a sunny position, and can grow up to 90cm in height.
Where to buy panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’:
12. Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’
The spectacular blood-red spikes of this ornamental grass are the star of the show when added to mixed borders or shown off in a container.
The green and red leaves morph to bold, translucent ruby, which is eye-catching in late summer. This grass can be slow to establish and may need winter protection in cold areas. It's a deciduous grass for well-drained soil in the sun, and has a height of 50cm.
Where to buy imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’:
13. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’
The clumps of green leaves take on wonderful copper and crimson tints in autumn, and the plume-like dark-red flower panicles emerge in summer and age to silvery-pink.
This is one of the showiest types of ornamental grass that can be used as a stand-alone specimen or to add drama to autumn borders. It's a deciduous grass for well-drained soil in the sun, with a height of 1.5m.
Where to buy miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’:
14. Anemanthele lessoniana (syn. Stipa arundinacea)
Also known as pheasant's tail, this is one of the best types of ornamental grass as it adds year-round colour, movement and structure to the garden.
The tufts of thin arching green leaves develop orange and bronze tints in autumn and winter. This colouring becomes even more intense the colder it gets, making a stunning addition to your winter garden. It's an evergreen grass for well-drained soil in the sun or semi-shade, with a height of 75cm.
Where to buy anemanthele lessoniana (syn. Stipa arundinacea):
15. Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Skyracer'
A columnar purple moor grass that forms shuttlecocks of slender foliage that turns a lovely golden colour in autumn.
This variety provides nectar and pollen for bees and other types of pollinating insects, making it great for introducing biodiversity to your garden. This deciduous grass is for well-drained, open, sunny borders, and has an expected height of 2m.
16. Stipa ichu (syn. Jarava ichu)
The graceful Peruvian feather grass has thin green leaves topped with arching silver-ivory flower plumes, and makes an impressive addition to any flowerbed.
It turns a lovely shade of gold in autumn and adds colour in the winter too. It is a semi-evergreen grass for well-drained south-facing borders, with a height of 80cm.
What are the key ornamental grasses for sound?
Ornamental grasses earn their place in the garden by providing enchanting sound when the wind blows. They can be a brilliant addition to a sensory garden as the gentle noise they make will create a soothing, relaxing effect.
Some of the best for this are the zebra grasses, such as miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’ (available from Suttons), which rustle on the breeze. M. sacchariflorus has long, thick, lush leaves on tall stems, creating an exotic jungle look.
What are the best types of ornamental grass for encouraging wildlife?
If your priority is filling your plot with wildlife garden ideas, opt for native grasses and mix them into borders with nectar-rich perennials, such as butterfly-friendly liatris, verbena, and eupatorium.
When it comes to choosing the right type of ornamental grass for your garden, you'll need to think about factors such as how much sunlight and shade is available, the soil texture and acidity, and how large the plant may grow and spread. Grasses are a popular garden trend but make sure you check the plant details carefully before selecting your final choice.
The original version of this article previously appeared on Gardeningetc, a sister website to Homebuilding & Renovating.
