Ornamental Grasses

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Ornamental Grasses for the Home Landscape

• Herbaceous perennials that produce foliage and flowers, then die to the ground and return the following season
• Provide a natural graceful beauty to the garden and complement shrubs and other herbaceous perennials
• Many have attractive fall color and winter interest; they provide movement and catch light
• Most are very easy to grow, tough, and adaptable
• Versatile, offering a range of size, color, texture, form, and uses
• Recommended for the Midwest on the basis of ornamental value, proven hardiness, availability, and freedom from serious problems

 

Uses in the Landscape

• Provide multi-season impact summer foliage, fall color, and, in the winter, persistent flowers and foliage, and interesting form
• Create a fine-textured backdrop for broadleaf perennials; combine perennials and grasses in broad swaths for a contemporary look
• Create a unique ground cover with low-growing grasses; pair with spring bulbs for another season of interest
• Specimen grasses can act as a vertical accent
• Use sweeps and masses of ornamental grasses to create the impression of a rippling meadow
• Plant moisture-loving grasses by ponds and water features for a natural effect
• Use grasses to define spaces. Plant a graceful screen or informal hedge
• Grasses are at home in naturalistic gardens

 

Ornamental Grass Culture and Maintenance

Season of Growth

Ornamental grasses can be divided into two groups based on the temperatures in which they produce the most growth. Cool season grasses break dormancy and begin to grow new foliage in spring, often flowering by early summer. Some cool season grasses go dormant during hot summer conditions and resume growth in fall. Generally cool season grasses do not have good fall color or winter interest.

Warm season grasses remain dormant in early spring and grow slowly until the heat of the summer arrives. Then they grow rapidly, flowering in late summer or early fall. Many have excellent fall color and winter interest.

Exposure

The majority of ornamental grasses need full sun for best growth, flowering, and fall color. Some can tolerate partial shade (indicated on the chart).

Watering and Fertilization

Grasses need to be watered carefully the first season, after planting or division, and during drought periods. Many are drought tolerant after establishment. In general, ornamental grasses do not require fertilization. In nutrient-poor soils, however, or where plants lack vigor, a slow- release fertilizer is recommended.

Pests and Diseases

Very few pests and diseases bother ornamental grasses. Foliar rust diseases can occur on certain grasses that become stressed, are improperly spaced, or in too much shade. Proper exposure and spacing of grasses will reduce the likelihood of disease occurrence.

Annual Foliage Cut Back

As a general rule, both cool and warm season grasses should be cut back in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Use hand pruners for smaller grasses and hedge shears (electric or manual) for larger grasses.

Division

As grasses mature, some may die out in the center, causing the grass to flop or appear unattractive. This is a sign that division is necessary. Large-size grasses may take a significant amount of effort to lift and divide. An ax or deep spade can be used to divide the grasses into smaller sections before lifting out of the ground. To divide a grass, lift the clump out of the ground and split it into sections. Discard the dead inner portion. Replant vigorous sections. Water the divisions well after planting and during drought periods until they are well established.

Cool season grasses can be divided from late winter to early spring, or from late summer to early fall.  In the upper Midwest, spring division is the most reliable. Warm season grasses should be divided when they are in active growth; late spring and early summer is the ideal time. Fall division of warm season grasses is generally not recommended.

Where to Find Ornamental Grasses

The Morton Arboretum displays ornamental grasses in several locations. Many local and regional retail nurseries carry a good variety of ornamental grasses for home landscape use.

This chart provides information about the size, shape, and other important characteristics of ornamental grasses recommended by The Morton Arboretum for their suitability and desirability in the Midwest.

 

Botanical Name	Common Name	Height of Foliage	Season of Growth	Flowering/Flowering Height	Zone	Cultural/Comments SS = Self Sows
Andropogon gerardii	Big Bluestem, Turkeyfoot	5-8’	Warm	August-September; 5-8’ tall	3	Adaptable to both moist and dry sites; valued for its upright habit and blue-green summer foliage; fall color rich orange to copper red; native to Midwest; SS
Bouteloua curtipendula	Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass	3-5’	Cool	June, effective until late winter; 5-6’ tall	4	This grass offers four seasons of interest; attractive yellow to golden wheat fall color; cut back in late winter to avoid the removal of early foliage growth; vertical upright habit
Calamagrostis brachytricha	Korean Feather Reed Grass	3-3½’	Warm	September, effective in the winter months; 4’ tall	4	Upright growth habit; combines well with purple foliage plants; purple-red flowers fade to silver-gray
Chasmanthium latifolium	Wild Oats, Spangle Grass	2-3’	Warm	Late July-August; effective into late winter; 2-4’ tall	5	Shade-tolerant; will tolerate drought conditions; grows best in moist soils; large flattened spikelets; change to a coppery brown fall color; flowers are excellent for cutting and drying; native to Midwest; SS
Deschampsia caespitosa	Tufted Hair Grass	1-2’	Cool	Late May to June in loose airy panicles; by late summer the flowers begin to shatter; 2-3 ½’ tall	4	Shade tolerant, cut back after flowers fade and turn brown; highly effective in largescale plantings; native to Midwest
‘Bronzeschleier’	Bronze Veil Tufted Hair Grass	1-2’	Cool	Late May to June; 2-3 ½’ tall; bronze green flowers	4	Fine-textured flowers combine dramatically with broad-leaved perennials
‘Goldschleier’	Gold Veil Tufted Hair Grass	1-2’	Cool	Late May to June; 2-3 ½’ tall; golden yellow flowers	4	Golden yellow flowers contrast well with dark green foliage
‘Schottland’	Scottish Tufted Hair Grass	1-2’	Cool	Late May to June; 2-3 ½’ tall; light green flowers	4	Light green flowers fade to a golden tan by late summer
Eragrostis spectabilis	Purple Love Grass	1-2’	Warm	Late August; 16-20” tall; reddish-purple flowers	5	Tolerant of poorly drained and infertile soils; coarse foliage, but very attractive late summer flowers; native to Midwest; SS
Eragrostis trichodes	Sand Love Grass	4’	Warm	July-August; pink flowers on 4’ tall stems	5	Tolerant of drought; needs a well-drained soil for best growth; native to Midwest; SS
Festuca glauca	Blue Fescue	6-10”	Cool	June; 12” tall	4	Grown for its small size; mounding habit and blue foliage; suffers from heat and humidity in midsummer and resumes with fresh new growth in the fall; SS
‘Elijah Blue’	Elijah Blue Fescue	6-10”	Cool	June; 6-10” tall	4	Silver-blue foliage; this selection is generally longer lived than others
‘Meerblau’	Sea Blue Fescue	6-10”	Cool	June; 6-10” tall	4	Attractive blue-green foliage and a uniform mounded habit
Helictotrichon sempervirens	Blue Oat Grass	2- 2½’	Cool	June-early July; 3’ tall	4	Cut back in the late winter to the top of the tussock (not to the ground); susceptible to foliar rust; although the plant is grown primarily for bluish foliage, the flowers are very attractive
‘Saphirsprudel’	Sapphire Fountain Blue Oat Grass	2- 2½’	Cool	June-early July; 3’ tall	4	A selection with steel blue foliage and improved rust resistance
Miscanthus sinensis	Japanese Silver Grass	4-5’	Warm	Late summer to fall blooming; 5-8’ tall dependent on cultivar	4-6	Water during extensive drought periods; clump forming species with many selections available that vary in their flowering, foliage, fall color, and hardiness; below are some the best selections for our region
‘Ferner Osten’	Far East Japanese Silver Grass	4-5’	Warm	September – October; opening with a distinct red color that gradually fades; 4-5’ tall	5	Unique red flower color; compact habit; dark foliage turns yellow in fall; exceptional selection for smaller spaces
‘Goldfeder’	Gold Feather Japanese Silver Grass	5-6’	Warm	August-September; silver flowers; 7’ tall	5	Light golden-yellow variegation; considered a slow grower
‘Gracillimus’	‘Gracillimus’ Maiden Grass	5-6’	Warm	Late September to October; 5-8’ tall	5	Grown for its elegant vase shape and fine textured foliage; late season flowers may be damaged by frost before they fully mature; yellow fall color; needs division every 4 to 5 years to maintain its upright habit
‘Graziella’	Graziella Japanese Silver Grass	5-6’	Warm	September; flowers are held high above the foliage in large panicles; 7’ tall	5	One of the best for early bloom; good orange-red fall color
‘Hinjo’	Little Nicky® Compact Zebra Grass	4-5’	Warm	September; 6’ tall	5	Dwarf selection of zebra grass with banded yellow variegation; excellent choice for small gardens
‘Malepartus’	Malepartus Japanese Silver Grass	6-7’	Warm	September; silver flowers change to a fluffy white; 7’ tall	5	Large grass that makes an ideal specimen plant or an effective screen; early blooming; gold with hints of orange and red fall color
‘Morning Light’	Morning Light Japanese Silver Grass	4-5’	Warm	Late September to October; 5-6’ tall	5	Fine texture similar to ‘Gracillimus’, but foliage has a white variegation that gives the plant a silvery-green appearance; late season flowers may be damaged by frost before they fully mature
‘Sarabande’	Sarabande Japanese Silver Grass	5-6’	Warm	September, copper colored flowers held within or just above the 6’ tall foliage.	5	Elegant, thin foliage creates a graceful refined appearance; yellow fall color
‘Silberfeder’	Silver Feather Grass	6-7’	Warm	August, flowers begin silver and obtain a slight pinkish tinge over time; 6-8’ tall	4	One of the boldest Miscanthus with flowers held high above the foliage; arching habit adds to its gracefulness; changes to straw color in fall
'Variegatus'	Variegated Silver Grass	5-6’	Warm	September; 6-7’ tall	5	Bold variegated foliage; mature specimens may require staking
'Zebrinus'	Zebra Grass	6’	Warm	Mid-late September, effective until early spring; 6-8’ tall	5	Grown for the unusual horizontal bands of yellow variegation on the foliage appearing in early summer; changes to straw color in fall; cultivar 'Strictus' (Porcupine grass) is very similar but has a more upright habit
Miscanthus 'Purpurascens'	Flame Grass	5'	Warm	August; effective until late winter; one of the earliest Miscanthus to bloom; 5’ tall	4	Excellent early orange to deep red fall color; very good winter interest, flowers are coppery-brown and attractive until spring
Molinia caerulea ‘Variegata’	Variegated Purple Moor Grass	1-2’	Warm	July and August; 3-4’ tall	5	Narrow foliage has a creamy white variegation; combines well with broad-leaved herbaceous perennials
Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea	Tall Purple Moor Grass	2-3’	Warm	July and August; the stems push higher as the flowers emerge; 4-9’ tall	4	In fall, entire plant turns bright yellow which persists after frost; cut back in early winter as flowers deteriorate; give plant space for the dramatic flowering stems; best used as a specimen or focal point; will tolerate poorly drained situations
'Skyracer'	Skyracer Tall Purple Moor Grass	2-3’	Warm	July and August; 7-9’ tall	4	Tallest moor grass selection with an upright habit and yellow fall color
'Transparent'	Transparent Tall Purple Moor Grass	2-3’	Warm	July and August; 4-6’ tall	4	Tall arching form with see-through flower stalks; yellow fall color
Panicum virgatum	Switch Grass	4-7’	Warm	August; producing a pinkish cloud effect; 4- 7’ tall; effective into the winter months	4	Switch grass is easy to grow and adaptable to many sites; a component of the American tall grass prairie; excellent cut flower; fall color varies from yellow to deep burgundy red; native to Midwest; SS
‘Cloud Nine’	Cloud Nine Switch Grass	6-7’	Warm	August; 7-8’ tall	4	Largest of the Panicum selections; blue-green foliage turns yellow in fall; erect upright habit; suitable as a screen planting or individual specimen
‘Dallas Blues’	Dallas Blues Switch Grass	6’	Warm	August; 6’ tall	4	Upright habit with wide steel-blue foliage; turns yellow in fall
‘Heavy Metal’	Heavy Metal Switch Grass	4-5’	Warm	August; 5’ tall	4	Upright narrow habit with very blue foliage; turns yellow in fall
‘Shenandoah’	Red Switch Grass	3-4’	Warm	August; 4’ tall	4	Foliage turns from green to dark red during the summer
‘Northwind’	Northwind Switch Grass	6’	Warm	August; 6’ tall	4	Upright habit; flowers appearing just above the dense foliage; yellow fall color
‘Rotstrahlbusch’	Red Switch Grass	4’	Warm	August; 4’ tall	4	Reddish purple foliage develops by mid-summer into fall
Pennisetum alopecuroides	Hardy Fountain Grass	2-3’	Warm	August; pinkish bottlebrush flowers cascade on arching stems; flowers shatter in October; 3-4’ tall	6	Easy to grow, very graceful versatile grass; yellow fall color; winter hardiness a problem in especially cold winters; deadhead flowers to prevent self-sowing; SS
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'	Hameln Fountain Grass	1-2½’	Warm	Mid-July to August; flowers greenish white to rosy white, shattering by late October; 3’ tall	5	Superior smaller selection with fine textured foliage and smaller whitish flowers; yellow fall color; SS
Schizachyrium scoparium	Little Bluestem	2-4’	Warm	August-September; flowers inconspicuous until late season when they dry and take on silvery tones; 3-5’ tall	3	Highly variable in form; important component of the tall grass prairie; should not be over watered or fertilized, which can lead to a flopping habit; red to coppery-brown fall color; native to Midwest; SS
‘The Blues’	The Blues Little Bluestem	1-2½’	Warm	August-September; 3-5’ tall	5	Exceptional bluish foliage with an erect habit; fall color is a red to coppery brown
Sorghastrum nutans	Indian Grass	4-5’	Warm	August; showy pink flower panicles turn chestnut brown; 5-7’ tall	4	Tall grass with erect habit; tolerant of many soil types; orange fall color; native to Midwest; SS
‘Sioux Blue’	Sioux Blue Indian Grass	4-5’	Warm	August; 4-6’ tall	4	Bright blue foliage changes to a yellow fall color; stiff upright habit
Spodiopogon sibiricus	Siberian Graybeard	3’	Warm	July-August; 4-5’ tall	4	Clump-forming grass with attractive foliage; variable red to burgundy fall color; needs moisture for best growth and development; will tolerate deep shade
Sporobolus heterolepis	Prairie Dropseed	15”	Warm	August-September; 30” tall	4	Fine textured clump-forming grass; suitable for small gardens; full sun to partial shade; tolerant of heavy clay soils and drought conditions after establishment; orange fall color, fading to a soft copper winter color; SS

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