Plants in family poaceae
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Carousel'
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Carousel' is a compact selection of native little bluestem, forming a 30-inch tall clump with blue-green foliage. In fall, the foliage turns copper, beige, orange, and mahogany, and the stems remain sturdy through winter. This plant is ideal for adding color and texture to native or prairie-style gardens.
Arrhenatherum elatius ssp. bulbosum 'Variegatum'
Arrhenatherum elatius ssp. bulbosum 'Variegatum' is an ornamental grass forming 1-foot wide clumps of narrow green and white leaves. It goes dormant in late spring and re-emerges in the fall, adding seasonal interest to gardens. This grass is suitable for both sun and light shade conditions.
Cenchrus purpureus
Cenchrus purpureus, discovered in Oceanside, California, is a tall grass reaching up to 10 feet by the end of the season. It features bamboo-like canes and large, corn-like foliage, topped with cattail-like flower heads in late October. This plant is deer-resistant and drought-tolerant.
Hakonechloa macra
Hakonechloa macra, a rare form of hakone grass, is an ornamental plant with striking green and yellow striped foliage. It grows to 18 inches tall and 3 feet wide, preferring rich, moist soil and light shade. This slow-growing grass adds a touch of elegance to gardens, especially in cooler climates.
Miscanthus sinensis 'Malepartus'
Miscanthus sinensis 'Malepartus' is a cold-hardy, drought-tolerant ornamental grass known for its striking pinky-tan flower plumes that transition to rust red in fall and white in winter. The green foliage turns a beautiful bronze-red in autumn, adding seasonal interest. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and is resistant to deer, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardens. Pruning is recommended in early spring to maintain its shape and health.
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Minnbluea'
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Minnbluea' is a selection of native little bluestem, known for its upright growth and multicolor foliage in late summer. It reaches 4 feet tall and is topped by wispy tan plumes. This plant is tolerant of various soil conditions and is ideal for adding texture to gardens.
Sorghastrum nutans 'Sioux Blue'
Sorghastrum nutans 'Sioux Blue' is a native prairie grass with powder blue foliage and cinnamon-colored plumes in summer. It forms a 3-foot tall and wide mound and thrives in sunny, hot, and dry locations.
Deschampsia cespitosa 'Gold Dew'
Deschampsia cespitosa 'Gold Dew' is a cool-season ornamental grass known for its dark green leaves and golden inflorescences. It is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9 and grows to a height of 12-24 inches, spreading to form a 24-30 inch mound. Once established, it is xeric and thrives in full sun, adapting well to various well-drained soil types. 'Gold Dew' is a low-maintenance plant with low moisture needs, making it an excellent choice for sustainable landscapes.
Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Avalanche'
Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Avalanche' is an ornamental grass known for its deer resistance and striking vertical accent. This plant grows up to 4 feet tall and features silvery tan plumes in midsummer. Each leaf blade has a wide white band down the center, adding visual interest to gardens. Its resilience and unique appearance make it a popular choice for adding texture and height to landscape designs.
Miscanthus sinensis 'Cosmopolitan'
Miscanthus sinensis 'Cosmopolitan' is a deer-resistant ornamental grass with wide leaves featuring vertical white striping. Its non-floppy growth habit makes it a reliable choice for adding texture and color to gardens.
Cenchrus setosus ssp. setosus 'Burgundy Bunny'
Cenchrus setosus ssp. setosus 'Burgundy Bunny' is a warm-season dwarf fountain grass with fluffy silver flower spikes and leaves that turn deep red in fall. This compact plant is versatile for edging and borders, requiring low moisture once established. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and adds vibrant color to any landscape.
Bouteloua dactyloides 'Prestige'
Bouteloua dactyloides 'Prestige' is a buffalo grass variety known for its exceptional disease and insect resistance. It features fine, soft blades with a stunning green color and grows to a height of 4 to 6 inches. This grass is native to the United States and reduces water consumption by 75%.
Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Stricta'
Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Stricta' is a clump-forming ornamental grass known for its tall, slender golden spikes that appear in late summer. This grass is best used in large masses to create a striking visual effect in gardens. It thrives in full sun to part sun and is suitable for various USDA zones, making it a versatile choice for landscape design.
Miscanthus sinensis 'Silberfeder'
Miscanthus sinensis 'Silberfeder' is a large ornamental grass with striped leaves that shimmer in sunlight and tawny silver plumes. It grows 6-8 feet tall, is cold and heat tolerant, and prefers full sun.
Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'
Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' is an ornamental grass with rigidly upright steel blue foliage and misty auburn-tinted plumes. It forms a narrow vertical clump up to 24 inches wide, serving as a blending plant or vertical accent in garden landscapes.
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Chameleon'
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Chameleon' is a native ornamental grass with variegated foliage that turns reddish pink in cool weather. This selection of little bluestem grows to 18 inches in foliage and 2 feet in flower. It is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, making it a resilient choice for sunny gardens.
Sporobolus michauxianus
Sporobolus michauxianus is a native prairie grass with arching green foliage and airy plumes. It grows 4-6 feet tall and turns brilliant gold in fall. This plant stabilizes soil along streams and supports pollinators, serving as a larval host for Skipper Butterflies and Tussock Moths.
Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue'
Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' is a tightly-clumping ornamental grass with soft silver-blue leaves. It forms an evergreen mound about 1 foot tall and 18 inches wide, thriving in sunny, well-drained soils. This grass is drought-tolerant and requires division every 3-5 years to maintain its vigor.
Cortaderia selloana 'Silver Fountain'
Cortaderia selloana 'Silver Fountain' is an ornamental grass with white and green striped leaves, growing over 6 feet tall. It produces summer plumes 2 feet above the clump, with a purple cast at the base, adding texture to sunny gardens.
Cortaderia selloana 'Silver Stripe'
Cortaderia selloana 'Silver Stripe' is an ornamental grass forming a 3-foot tall mound of white and green striped foliage. It produces 2-foot tall slender stalks of pampas flowers in late summer, adding texture and movement to garden landscapes.
Bambusa multiplex 'Fernleaf'
Bambusa multiplex 'Fernleaf' is a compact clumping bamboo that typically reaches 9-10 feet, with the potential to grow up to 20 feet in ideal conditions. It features upright green canes and densely packed small green leaves, making it a prized choice for a short, thick hedge. This bamboo is deer-resistant and can withstand temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
Muhlenbergia reverchonii 'Undaunted'
Muhlenbergia reverchonii 'Undaunted' is a native grass from Oklahoma and Texas, forming a 24-inch tall clump with ruby pink plumes in mid-summer. It grows well in very alkaline soils and is deer-resistant. This ornamental grass is robust and showy, making it a striking addition to gardens. Its drought tolerance and vibrant plumes make it a popular choice for landscapes in dry regions.
Cortaderia egmontiana
Cortaderia egmontiana, originating from south central Chile, is a type of pampas grass that forms a 3.5-foot tall by 9-foot wide clump of glaucous green foliage. It is topped with 6-foot tall tan plumes starting in June, making it a dramatic addition to any landscape.
Miscanthus sinensis 'Dixieland'
Miscanthus sinensis 'Dixieland' is an ornamental grass with vertical white variegation and creamy white striped leaves. It forms a 3-foot tall clump with plumes that rise to 6 feet in late September, providing a striking display in gardens.
Bouteloua dactyloides 'Legacy'
Bouteloua dactyloides 'Legacy' is a variety of Buffalo grass that forms a dense canopy of fine, dark blue-green leaf blades. It grows 3 to 5 inches high and requires significantly less water than other turf grasses, making it an excellent choice for sustainable landscaping.
Cenchrus pilcomayensis
Cenchrus pilcomayensis is an ornamental grass from Argentina, known for its sturdy, wire-like, glaucous stems that can grow up to 7 feet tall. It features bronzy plumes that appear from mid-June to September, providing an architectural form even in winter after the leaves drop. This grass is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, making it a resilient choice for gardens. It thrives in sunny locations and can be used in xeriscaping or as a striking feature in cottage gardens.