How About Ornamental Grass

• Grasses are adaptable and can grow in poorer soils, better than many other garden plants.
• Grasses require little effort to maintain.
• Grasses come in many heights, colors, textures and have varying water requirements.
• Grass seed heads and foliage add fall and winter interest to your garden.
• Dried grasses have many decorative uses indoors and out.
• Grasses can be used as groundcover, specimen plants, for erosion control, and as vertical design elements.

Here is a breakdown of some popular grasses by their size and characteristics.

Tall Ornamental Grasses

Tall grasses look great in the winter landscape. Plume grass (Erianthus ravennae) grows in zones 4-9. It gets 8'-11' tall with a clump spread of 3' to 4'. It has tall thin shafts and fluffy tops and exhibits a delicate structure that adds a touch of charm to a harsh winter landscape. It can be used as a focal point because of its height.

Maidengrass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus') is a good choice for zones 5-9 and is a tall drought-tolerant ornamental grass. It will reach as much as 7' in height with a spread just slightly less. Maidengrass has coppery tassels for a seed-head in early fall that eventually grows lighter in color and adorns the plant as a "plume". Don't cut maidengrass back until winter bleakness has passed since it provides some visual interest to a barren December-February landscape.

Intermediate Ornamental Grasses

Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) can be grown in zones 4-8 and is a cool-season ornamental grass. It reaches a size of 2'-3' x 2'-3' and grows in a mounded form. It grows best in full sun and well-drained soil which gives it foliage the signature blue hues. It also produces spiky, dark flowers with a bluish tint in the summer that turn harvest gold in autumn. It is a good plant for deer control, as they generally do not eat it.

Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) will grow 24" – 36" high in loose clumps of green foliage. Its name comes from its seed pods which look like oats. It is also a deer-resistant grass and is hardy to zone 5. It also continues to add interest after its leaves have dried.

Short Ornamental Grasses

Liriope or "lilyturf" (Lirope spicata) is a shorter deer-resistant plant. It can be grown in zones 4-10 and reaches only about 1' in height. Lilyturf likes water, but also prefers well-drained soil. Choose an area with partial shade and soil rich in organic matter for best results. It, too, has a spiky flower ranging in color from white to lavender. In autumn it bears a dark berry. Lilyturf can become invasive, so you'll want to contain this plant.

Blue Fescue is another short ornamental grass grown in zones 4-8. It gets to be about 1' tall by 1' wide. The lovely blue color of its foliage makes this a very popular plant. It will beautifully complement any surrounding plants that have silvery foliage, such as lamb's ears. It kind of resembles a pincushion with blue pins. Cut blue fescue back in early spring and divide every few years to rejuvenate.

Ornamental grasses are a great way to establish a low maintenance landscape. A planting of ornamental grasses with mulch applied around them can replace areas of lawn and won't require any mowing besides adding an interesting element to your landscape.