Ornamental grasses have been around a long time and are becoming more popular for their variety and decorative attributes.  Most of them begin to show their green growth in the spring.  In the summer they will grow their flowers and seed heads.  In the winter some also turn a tan or beige color to continue their show.  They usually grow in clumps and are often used used as lawn hedges, property line borders, assorted groupings, garden accents and even erosion control.  They have excellent root systems that can help retain soil.  They also come in many different sizes and types.  Birds are also attracted to many of the varieties, especially to those that have seed heads.

Below I have included a list of some of the different types of grasses.  You will see that some have tall stalks with big plumes that grow taller than a normal person.  Some stay close to the ground and are very short.  There are variegated types and others have colors like yellow, red, blue, purple, brown and green.  Most are perennials but there are some that are annuals.  You will want to check your growing zone for your area as, just like flowers and trees, some need more warm or cold temperatures than others.

Here are some of the most popular ornamental grasses (I've included a few pictures for you, you can also see most of these at www.naturehills.com):

• Big Bluestem
• Dwarf Variegated Ribbon
• Elijah Blue Fescue
• Evergold Sedge
• Fairy Tails Fountain Grass
• Feather Reed
• Golden Variegated Hakone
• Golden Variegated Sweet Flag
• Green Sedge
• Ice Dance Sedge
• Indian
• Little Bluestem
• Little Kitten Acanthus
• New Zealand Hair Sedge
• Northern Sea Oats
• Pampas
• Perennial Quaking
• Prairie Dropseed
• Purple Fountain
• Red Bunny Tails Fountain
• Redhead Fountain
• The Blues Little Bluestem
• Variegated Miscanthus
• Variegated Ribbon
• Dallas Blues Switch Grass

     Prairie Dropseed          Redhead Fountain        The Blues Little Bluestem  Golden Variegated Hakone  Green Sedge