Hey garden enthusiasts! If you’re looking to add some texture, color, and movement to your garden, you’re in the right place.
Ornamental and native grasses are the unsung heroes of the plant world, bringing beauty and resilience to your landscape.
Whether you’re after the exotic allure of non-native species or the ecological benefits of native varieties, Zone 8 offers a fantastic array of options.
Let’s dive into these fabulous grasses and see which ones will make your garden sing!
| Ornamental Grass | Native States/Regions |
|---|---|
| Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) | Not native to the US (Asia) |
| Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’) | Not native to the US (Africa) |
| Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’) | Not native to the US (Europe) |
| Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra) | Not native to the US (Japan) |
| Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) | Not native to the US (Europe) |
| Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) | Not native to the US (Asia) |
| Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) | Southeastern US, from Texas to Florida and north to Massachusetts |
| Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) | Native to most of the US except the West Coast |
| Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) | Native to most of the US |
| Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans) | Native to the central and eastern US |
| Gulf Muhly (Muhlenbergia filipes) | Southeastern US, particularly coastal regions |
| Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) | Native to the central and eastern US |
| Eastern Gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides) | Native to the central and eastern US |
| Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) | Native to the central US |
| Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) | Native to the central and southern US |
Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)
Fountain Grass, with its elegant, feathery plumes and slender green foliage, adds grace to any garden. This non-native beauty from Asia thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
It grows quickly, reaching maturity in one season. Pair it with Echinacea and Rudbeckia for a stunning display.
Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’)
Purple Fountain Grass offers striking burgundy foliage and fluffy, purplish plumes. Hailing from Africa, it loves full sun and well-drained soil. It’s a fast grower, filling out in one season.
Combine it with Lamb’s Ear and Salvia for a bold contrast.
Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’)
Feather Reed Grass features tall, slender stems topped with feathery plumes that sway gracefully. This European native thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. It matures in one season.
Pair it with Hostas and Astilbes for a lush, layered look.
Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)
Japanese Forest Grass, with its cascading green or variegated leaves, brings a touch of elegance. Native to Japan, it prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil.
It grows steadily, reaching maturity in two seasons. Combine it with Ferns and Heuchera for a serene, shaded garden.
Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens)
Blue Oat Grass boasts striking blue-gray foliage and tall, oat-like flower spikes. This European native thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
It matures in one season. Pair it with Lavender and Russian Sage for a Mediterranean-inspired garden.
Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis)
Maiden Grass, with its tall, arching stems and feathery plumes, is a garden favorite. Native to Asia, it prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
It grows quickly, reaching maturity in one season. Combine it with Sedum and Ornamental Onions for a dynamic display.
Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Muhly Grass is a showstopper with its airy, pink plumes that float above slender green blades. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, perfect for southeastern US gardens.
It’s a fast grower, reaching maturity in one season. Pair it with Lantana and Black-eyed Susan for a vibrant display.
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Switchgrass offers upright, feathery panicles and lush green foliage that turns golden in fall. This native grass loves sunny spots and can handle moist to dry soils.
It’s quick to establish, taking just a year. Partner it with Coneflowers and Asters for a prairie-like garden.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Little Bluestem shines with blue-green stems that blaze orange-red in autumn. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils across the US.
This grass matures in one season. Combine it with Butterfly Weed and Coreopsis for a dynamic mix.
Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
Indian Grass, with its tall, golden plumes and blue-green foliage, is a standout. It prefers sunny, well-drained sites in the central and eastern US.
Quick to grow, it matures in one season. Mix it with Blazing Star and Prairie Dock for a striking effect.
Gulf Muhly (Muhlenbergia filipes)
Gulf Muhly, also known as Sweetgrass, has delicate, wispy pink blooms. It loves coastal regions with full sun and sandy soils.
It grows swiftly, filling out in a season. Pair it with Sea Oats and Beach Sunflower for a coastal charm.
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Big Bluestem, known as the “king of the prairie,” features tall, blue-green stalks turning copper in fall. It thrives in sunny, well-drained areas of the central and eastern US.
This grass matures in one season. Combine it with Goldenrod and Joe Pye Weed for height and color.
Eastern Gamagrass
Eastern Gamagrass has thick, arching leaves and tassel-like flower spikes. It prefers sunny, moist to wet soils in the central and eastern US. Fast-growing, it matures in one season.
Pair it with Blue Flag Iris and Swamp Milkweed for a lush, wetland garden.
Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)
Prairie Dropseed’s fine, arching leaves and fragrant, airy blooms make it a favorite. It thrives in sunny, well-drained sites in the central US.
This grass takes a bit longer to establish, usually maturing in two seasons. Mix it with Purple Coneflower and Little Bluestem for a textural contrast.
Sideoats Grama
Sideoats Grama boasts unique oat-like seed heads dangling from wiry stems. It loves full sun and dry soils in the central and southern US. Quick to grow, it matures in one season. Combine it with Yucca and Agave for a desert-inspired look.