Plants in family poaceae
Alopecurus pratensis 'Aureus'
Alopecurus pratensis 'Aureus' is a small ornamental grass known for its striking yellow and green striped foliage. This perennial forms a low clump and is ideal for rockeries. It has a tendency to droop in the summer heat, adding a graceful, weeping effect to gardens. It thrives in a range of light conditions from full sun to light shade and is hardy across various USDA zones. Its unique appearance makes it a standout in both sun and shade gardens.
Cortaderia selloana 'Patagonia'
Cortaderia selloana 'Patagonia' is a blue-foliaged pampas grass that forms a 4-foot tall clump with 6-foot tall plumes in early fall. It is hardier than other varieties due to its native location in Patagonia, making it a resilient choice for ornamental grass enthusiasts.
Miscanthus sinensis 'Yaku Jima'
Miscanthus sinensis 'Yaku Jima' is a dwarf ornamental grass with narrow, gracillimus-like foliage. It is ideal for small cottage gardens and features tan plumes above the foliage. This plant thrives in full sun to part sun and adds texture and movement to garden landscapes.
Fargesia rufa
Fargesia rufa is a non-invasive clumping bamboo native to western China, serving as a significant food source for the giant panda. It grows up to 6 feet tall with reddish-brown culm sheaths and is tolerant of both heat and cold.
Elymus 'Canyon Prince'
Elymus 'Canyon Prince' is a heat- and drought-tolerant blue-foliaged grass, discovered near the California coast. It forms a non-invasive, evergreen mound 2 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, making it a striking addition to gardens.
Cenchrus setosus ssp. setosus 'Redhead'
Cenchrus setosus ssp. setosus 'Redhead' is a warm-season ornamental grass with 5-inch long red-violet plumes that turn silver in fall. It features fine-textured yellow-green foliage that turns golden in winter, thriving in heat, drought, and full sun.
Yushania confusa
Yushania confusa is a clumping bamboo native to south central China, growing at elevations of 3,000 to 7,000 feet. It forms a clump about 3 feet wide at the base and features 6-foot tall silvery grey culms that arch outward. This plant creates a 9-foot wide fountain-like appearance, making it a striking addition to gardens. Its adaptability and unique form make it a popular choice for adding texture and movement to landscapes.
Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'
Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola', also known as Japanese forest grass, is a hardy, shade-tolerant ornamental grass with elegantly cascading foliage. Its leaves are striped in ivory, cream, and green, providing a golden glow in spring and summer that transitions to a pinkish-tan hue in the fall. This low-maintenance plant forms a mounding shape without the need for pruning and can live up to fifteen years. It grows 2-3 feet wide and 1-2 feet tall, thriving in partial shade and moist, rich soil. Ideal for USDA zones 4 to 9, it adds a touch of elegance to shaded garden areas with its arching, mounding form and vibrant seasonal color changes.
Festuca glauca 'Golden Toupee'
Festuca glauca 'Golden Toupee' is an ornamental grass forming a 1-foot wide clump of chartreuse blades. It requires good drainage and thrives in sunny locations, making it a striking addition to garden borders or rock gardens. This grass is deer-resistant and suitable for USDA zones 4 to 8, providing a bright pop of color with its unique foliage. Its compact size and vibrant hue make it a versatile choice for various landscape designs.
Borinda macclureana
Borinda macclureana is a clumping bamboo originating from Tibet, maturing at 20 feet tall with slightly arching clumps. It has 10-inch long leaves on purple stems and performs well in full sun and humid conditions, making it a striking addition to any landscape.
Festuca 'Cool As Ice'
Festuca 'Cool As Ice' is the first blue fescue successful in hot, humid climates, resulting from a cross between Festuca glauca and likely Festuca idahoensis. It forms a 10-inch tall and 1-foot wide evergreen clump with narrow blue foliage. This plant is ideal for adding color and texture to gardens, thriving in sun to part sun conditions.
Miscanthus 'Andante'
Miscanthus 'Andante' is an ornamental grass introduced by Kurt Bluemel, notable for its green leaves with a central stripe and a weeping habit. It forms sturdy clumps over 7 feet tall, topped with stunning plumes from late summer through fall. This deer-resistant plant is known for its reblooming trait and does not produce stray seedlings.
Pennisetum 'Moudry'
Pennisetum 'Moudry' is a medium-sized ornamental grass with rich bronze plumes. Known for its vigorous growth, this plant adds texture and color to gardens, thriving in a variety of conditions.
Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues'
Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues' is a native switchgrass known for its deer-resistant qualities and powder-blue foliage. It grows up to 5 feet tall and features reddish-purple plumes in early fall, with flower heads arranged in distinct layers. This ornamental grass is ideal for adding texture and color to gardens, thriving in a variety of conditions and attracting butterflies and other pollinators.
Helictotrichon sempervirens
Helictotrichon sempervirens, also known as Blue Oat Grass, is a clump-forming ornamental grass with metallic, silvery-blue foliage. It is known for its showy seed heads in fall and winter and is both urban and deer tolerant. This low-maintenance plant is waterwise once established and is ideal for erosion control.
Andropogon gerardii 'Red October'
Andropogon gerardii 'Red October' is a tall grass that emerges blue-gray in spring and transitions to deep blue-green in summer. It features burgundy-red flower heads in late summer and turns vivid scarlet red after the first frost, providing cover for songbirds and being deer resistant.
Cenchrus massaicus
Cenchrus massaicus, native to Kenya, is an ornamental grass forming a 2-foot tall and wide clump with narrow green foliage. It produces 3-foot tall reddish-brown plumes from midsummer to early fall, providing textural contrast in perennial borders and annual containers. This grass thrives in sunny locations and adds a unique element to garden landscapes.
Fargesia scabrida
Fargesia scabrida is an upright clumping bamboo from China, known for its large foliage and prominent leaf sheaths. It forms a 12-foot tall clump and performs well in hot, humid climates. New shoots may appear blue or purple in cooler climates, adding a unique touch to this ornamental grass.
Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'
Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus', also known as zebra grass, is an ornamental grass with a distinctive upright form. Its green leaves are adorned with horizontal golden bands, creating a striking visual effect. In late summer, bronze plumes appear, lasting until spring. This perennial is native to China and Japan and is known for attracting butterflies while being resistant to rabbits. It thrives in sunny locations and is suitable for rain gardens.
Phaenosperma globosum
Phaenosperma globosum is a deciduous ornamental grass native to regions from Northeast India to Japan and Korea. It forms a 3-foot tall clump of broad green foliage topped with wispy, beaded seedheads. This grass is suitable for part sun to light shade and is often used in rain gardens.
Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron'
Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron' is an ornamental grass known for its striking foliage that turns bright red in the sun. Growing up to 1 foot tall, its color intensifies with cooler night temperatures. This grass is a vibrant addition to gardens, providing a bold splash of color without the need for flowers.
Cenchrus orientalis 'Karley Rose'
Cenchrus orientalis 'Karley Rose' is a fast-growing ornamental grass with smoky rose-purple plumes that appear in June and last all summer. It is cold-hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9 and can be grown as an annual in colder zones. This low-maintenance plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a drought-resistant choice for gardens.
Miscanthus sinensis 'Scout'
Miscanthus sinensis 'Scout' is a hardy ornamental grass known for its glossy green foliage with a distinctive white midrib and feathery cream-pink blooms. It is adaptable to both drought and wet soil conditions and is resistant to deer and rabbits. This grass thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a versatile choice for various landscapes. It is cold hardy in USDA zones 5 through 10 and should be pruned in early spring.
Miscanthus sinensis 'Cabaret'
Miscanthus sinensis 'Cabaret' is an ornamental grass distinguished by a wide white band running down the center of its leaves. It produces late-season plumes that can reach up to 7 feet tall, initially reddish-purple before turning tan. This grass is well-suited for sunny locations and can attract butterflies. Its striking foliage and tall plumes make it a popular choice for adding vertical interest to gardens.
Panicum amarum 'Dewey Blue'
Panicum amarum 'Dewey Blue' is a native beach grass known for its soil-stabilizing properties and graceful habit. It grows in dry sand between dunes and features glaucous foliage with airy tan plumes that persist through winter.
Panicum virgatum 'Red Sunset'
Panicum virgatum 'Red Sunset' is an ornamental grass with blue-green stems and leaves that turn bright red early in the season. It features airy panicles of rosy red in late summer and remains sturdy through winter.
Pennisetum 'Princess Molly'
Pennisetum 'Princess Molly' is a dwarf ornamental grass with tricolor foliage, including olive green, purple border, and black-purple stripe. It grows up to 20 inches tall and is ideal for summer gardens and annual containers.