Here are 12 of the most popular ornamental grasses to grow. But in the world of ornamental grasses, fescues are considered low-growers and are often used as edgings, borders, and ground covers. In addition to blue fescue, other popular ornamental fescues include atlas fescue (Festuca mairei), California fescue (Festuca californica), and sheep fescue (Festuca ovina).
USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8Sun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Dry to medium moisture, well-drained
Mexican feather grass survives in dry conditions and thrives just fine after being cut back. Some native plant organizations consider it invasive. If you can contain it, though, this grass is quite lovely, especially when it blows in the wind.
USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 10Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Well-drained, loamy, acid; tolerant of sand and clay
USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9Sun Exposure: Part shadeSoil Needs: Moist, well-drained, humusy
Depending on what you pair zebra grass with, it can have an exotic, tropical look and is striking planted near broad-leafed tropical plants with colorful flowers such as canna, ginger, hibiscus, and plumeria.
USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9Sun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Any type: chalk, clay, loam, sand
Bamboo naturally grows in warm climates, but you can also find cold-hardy varieties, such as Bisetti (hardy to zone 4), Nuda (hardy to zone 4), Giant Leaf (hardy to zone 5), and Spectabilis (hardy to zone 5). In very cold areas, bamboo canes often die back in winter, but the roots survive. Some types are evergreen in zones 5 and above.
USDA Growing Zones: 4 and up, depending on varietySun Exposure: Part shadeSoil Needs: Loose, well-drained, slightly acid
The mature size of this grass is fairly predictable—usually 2 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide. While it is considered low-maintenance, that is often because gardeners and landscape maintenance workers cut it to about a foot high when it starts to look dry in late fall—and it resembles a cropped bale of hay. Purple fountain grass can almost be a year-round performer if you treat it right. When it starts to spread out and the feathered flowers resemble wheat, it is time to deadhead the grass. In a garden, it looks striking next to lime green and silver grasses and plants such as oat grass or sweet potato vine. It is also deer-resistant and is drought-tolerant once established. It is especially beautiful in fall container arrangements and autumn gardens.
USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 10Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained
USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 10Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
Note: Imperata cylindrica is an invasive species that, according to U.S. federal law, is illegal to grow without a permit. However, the ‘Rubra’ cultivar is relatively less aggressive and is sold in garden centers in many cold-winter areas, where it is easier to control than in warmer zones. To be safe, confirm that your state’s laws permit use of this grass before buying or planting it.
USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Moist, well-drained
USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8Sun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained
USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Medium moisture, sandy or rocky, well-drained
USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 11Sun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Rich, wet
USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Moist, well-drained, humusy, slightly acid
