Ornamental grasses have seen a surge in interest in recent years. There are a huge variety of plants available to suit most conditions, from the sun loving prairie grasses of the American plains to the Japanese forest grass Hakonechloa macra. Whether you are looking for an evergreen grass, or want to enjoy statuesque seed heads over winter, my selection of top ornamental grasses offer plenty of options to bring texture and movement to your garden.
Miscanthus
These deciduous grasses range from around 1.2m in height to a stately 2m for varieties such as Miscanthus sinensis ‘Malepartus’. Although their foliage fades in autumn and winter they remain a focal point into the new year with their frothy fountain like seed heads. This is a stunning plant when positioned so the seed heads catch the low winter sun.
If you want to include Miscanthus in a smaller space look for varieties such as Miscanthus ‘Yakushima Dwarf’ or Miscanthus ‘Starlight’ which reach mature heights of 0.8 -1.2m.
Carex Evergold
A sturdy sedge that thrives in sun and part shade (and can even survive full shade although it is less likely to flower). Evergold is a variegated form which lights up beautifully in dappled sunlight. It is evergreen and forms neat mounds making it a low maintenance option. Simply combe through it gently in early spring to remove any dead leaves.
A range of different Carex varieties are readily available with many offering differing variegated foliage such as Carex ‘Everest’ with its darker green and white markings as well as bronzed foliage varieties such as Carex testacea.
Calamagrostis
Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’
Early into growth in spring this grass brings vertical interest and stands well over winter to add a useful focal point or screen to your garden. It requires cutting down in February but otherwise is low maintenance. The seed heads look fantastic dusted in frost over winter and move gently in any breeze to add a dynamic element to your garden.
Calamagrostis brachytricha
Its common name of feather reed grass is highly descriptive as the flowerheads form feathery plumes in palest greys and pinks during the summer. A fairly tall grass at around 1.5m it works best in larger groups towards the middle of borders where its slightly messy foliage can be disguised by other perennials.
Festuca Glauca
A great evergreen grass that forms neat mounds of silvery blue foliage. Festuca glauca is well suited to dry, sunny spaces and is widely available with varieties such as ‘Intense Blue’ and ‘Elijah Blue’ available in many garden centres.
Imperata cylindrica
Imperata cylindrica is often known as Japanese blood grass reflecting the rich red of the foliage tips. A short deciduous grass at only around 40cm it makes a stunning addition to a grass border in late summer, dying away completely in winter.
Hakonechloa macra
Hakonechloa macra or Japanese forest grass forms a lush understorey when planted under trees and shrubs or in a border on its own. It doesn’t like to dry out, but as long as it is planted in moisture retentive soil it will cope with sun or dappled shade. It dies back in winter taking on a rich biscuit coloured hue and rustling gently in any wind.
Nassella tenuissima (previosuly Stipa tenuissima)
A medium sized grass for a dry and sunny site that works well as a matrix plant woven through other perennials to provide a soft and almost fluffy look. With a maximum height of around 60cm it works well towards the front of boarders or even in large containers. It moves gently in any breeze providing interest.
Panicum
Deciduous grasses that tend to be late into growth in spring forming large clumps with tall, airy and ethereal seed heads which fade in colour to rich biscuity tones and last well into early winter. Several varieties have rich maroon red tones to their foliage which combine well with other perennials, for example Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ which reaches 1.2m height.
Pennisetum
Pennisetum are one of my favourite grasses both because the wonderful seed heads are so fantastic at catching the light in winter and because the fluffy seeds remind me of giant fluffy caterpillars! They make a great addition to a sensory garden as the seed heads are so soft and tactile. A deciduous grass they naturally form large mounded clumps up to 1.2m high.
Pennisetum ‘Fairy Tails’ is a prolifically flowering variety with an elegant arching habit. Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ is one of the most commonly available and is an attractive and reliable addition to any garden.
Seslaria autumnalis
A smaller clump-forming cool season grass that puts on most of its growth in spring and autumn. It’s starring role comes in autumn when it takes on a bright lime-green tone which lights up the garden.
Stipa gigantia
The king of grasses with its tall oat like inflorescences often standing over 2m tall from early summer. You need plenty of space for this grass but it make a real statement as individual plants. Or consider using it as a semi transparent screen to separate different areas of your garden.
Gardens to visit for inspiration and to view ornamental grasses
RHS Wisley https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley
Sussex Prairies Sussex Prairie Garden – A stunning prairie in the heart of Sussex (sussexprairies.co.uk)
Knoll Gardens Knoll Gardens | Ornamental Grasses and Flowering Perennials
If you’re not sure how to incorporate ornamental grasses into your garden or would like more comprehensive garden design services or bespoke advice please get in touch or read more about how I can help through my garden advice service a new planting design to refresh your garden or my full garden design service.
Check out my previous previous blog posts:
- Top ornamental grasses to add texture and movement to your garden
- Flower seeds to sow now for summer colour
- Top plants to add winter interest to your garden
- Top trees and shrubs to add sparkling colour to your garden this autumn
- Spring bulbs to plant now
