How to Use Ornamental Grasses

Miscanthus 'Adagio'

Looking for something easy to care for, low-maintenance with little-to-no insect or disease problems? Hardy ornamental grasses are a no-brainer addition to the landscape. Unassuming in spring and summer, they come into their own in time for a spectacular autumnal show. But which one is right for you? 

At last count, we have 15 varieties to choose from and that's only a drop in an ocean of grasses out there. Read on to learn a little about a few of our favorites and their use in the landscape. 

One of our favorites is Miscanthus sinensis 'Adagio' (shown above and featured in our Railroad garden here at BGC). It's fine foliage grows 36" in an arching habit. Seed heads mature to white. Intermingle several 'Adagios' with Russian Sage. 

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Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'

This upright clumping grass, Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' (Feather Reed Grass) is one of the earliest flowering grasses. It's biggest problem is that it's overused because we all like it so much! Calamagrostis 'Overdam' is similar yet it's variegated foliage sets it apart (see below). Use with lower mounding perennials like 'Autumn Joy' Sedum.

Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

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Front-of-the-Border Grasses 
12-24" tall 
This group of shorter grasses are good for along walkways and front of the border. Pair them with taller perennials like coneflowers (Echinacea), Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia), and Asters. 

Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) planted with coneflowers. photo source: wildones.org

Autumn Moor Grass (Seslaria autumnalis) will grow in part shade and looks stunning when planted in drifts with purple salvias. photo source: rotarygardens.blogspot.com

Pair Blue Oat Grass 'Sapphire' (Helictotrichon sempervirens) with lavender for a soft look or with burgundy-toned shrubs for more contrast. photo source: erisglobal.com

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Middle-of-the-Border Grasses
24"-36" tall

'Blonde Ambition' Blue Gramma Grass (Bouteloua gracilis) has interesting horizontal seed heads. Looks nice above planted with Agastache. photo source: pinterest.com

'Little Kitten' Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) grows 3 feet tall, can stand alone as a specimen or fabulous in drifts. Also works well planted in a container for fall.

'Shenandoah' Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum) has burgundy seed heads and burgundy foliage. Pair it with blue-toned conifers like junipers, low-growing blue spruces, and burgundy coral bells (heuchera). photo source: grimmsgardens.com

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Back-of-the-Border Grasses
48" and taller

Graziella Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) adds graceful movement to the landscape. Similar in looks to pampas grass, but Graziella is a clumping grass and does not spread. It grows 48-60" tall and makes a good screen in the summer and fall. photo source: thesitegardener.com

Oktoberfest (Miscanthus sinensis) has an upright habit that grows 6-7' tall. Burgundy flowers turn creamy tan as the season progresses. Plant with evergreens (3-4' tall) and drifts of fall blooming perennials like Rudbeckia and tall Sedum. photo source: rootsrhizomes.com

'Red October' Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) has an upright habit up to 6'. Blue-green foliage has red tips that turn burgundy in August, then brilliant red after the first frost. Plant with shorter grasses and shrubs with mounding habits, goldenrod, helenium, and low-growing evergreens. photo source: songsparrow.com