Ornamental Grass

Gardening Guide

Ornamental Grass

Adagio Maiden Grass

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Adagio’
Smaller growing form with an arching, clumping growth habit. Plumes of creamy-white flowers above the foliage beginning late summer and lasting into fall. A great specimen plant or planted in masses. Fast growing perennial.

4' tall x 4-5' wide

Full sun

Zone 5 / Hardy to -10ºF

Fireworks Fountain Grass

Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’ PP18504
A rapid grower and prolific blooming selection with plenty of color. Red tipped leaves are green and white striped. Purple foxtail plumes above the foliage in summer. Great in beds and borders or in containers. Heat and humidity tolerant. Fast growing annual ornamental grass.

2-3' tall x 2-3' wide

Full sun

Zone 9 / Hardy to 30ºF

Hameln Dwarf Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’
Very popular grass noted for its compact habit and profuse, showy white flowers that rise above the thin leaf blades beginning midsummer. Can be used as a border plant or in containers. Great in mass plantings. Fast growing perennial.

2-3' tall x 2-3' wide

Full sun

Zone 5 / Hardy to -10ºF

Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass

Calamagrostis acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’
Upright clumping ornamental grass with pinkish flowers maturing to gold, rising above the foliage. Striking vertical accent for the landscape when planted alone or in groups. Fast growing perennial.

4-5' tall x 2-3' wide

Full sun

Zone 3 / Hardy to -30ºF

Little Zebra Grass

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Little Zebra’ PP13008
A compact selection that features 3-4′ tall clumps of green leaves with contrasting, yellow horizontal bands along the blades. Reddish plumes appear in August above the foliage and persist into winter. Fast growing perennial.

4' tall x 3-4' wide

Full sun

Zone 5 / Hardy to -10ºF

Maiden Grass

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’
Easily grown grass that has fine, arching foliage. Creamy white flowers bloom in fall and then deepen to a reddish color as the weather cools. Year round interest. Nice in groups or in foundation plantings. Fast growing perennial.

4-5' tall x 3-4' wide

Full sun

Zone 4 / Hardy to -20ºF

Mexican Feather Grass

Nassella (Stipa) tenuissima
A native Texas ornamental grass with hair-like, bright green foliage. Cream-colored plumes at leaf tips last into winter. Great in dry, loose soils. Heat and drought tolerant. Great large scale groundcover. Fast growing perennial.

2' tall x 2-3' wide

Full sun

Zone 7 / Hardy to 10ºF

Pink Muhly Grass

Muhlenbergia capillaris
Very drought tolerant ornamental grass with very narrow foliage. Pinkish flower plumes provide an airy effect to the landscape beginning late summer and continuing into fall. Tolerates heat, dry sites and poor soils. Fast growing perennial.

3' tall x 3' wide

Full sun

Zone 7 / Hardy to 10ºF

Pampas Grass

Cortaderia selloana
Large ornamental grass with long, arching leaves that form a large clump of foliage. Showy, creamy-white flower plumes stand above the foliage beginning late summer. A great specimen plant or is perfect for screening when planted in groups. Fast growing perennial.

6-8' tall x 6-8' wide

Full sun

Zone 7 / Hardy to 10ºF

Ivory Feathers® Dwarf Pampas Grass

Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila’
Showy feathery white plumes are the summer attraction on this compact version of pampas grass. It is just as tough and durable, but somewhat more cold hardy, than the standard variety. Nice in borders or in groups. Fast growing perennial.

4-6' tall x 4-5' wide

Full sun

Zone 7 / Hardy to 10ºF