#ProPlantTips, Best Plant Picks, Gardening Questions, Ornamental Grass Care, Perennial Care

7 Popular Ornamental Grass Types

Charlotte Weidner | February 14, 2026

Graceful flowing and cascading perennials, Ornamental Grasses are must-haves for the garden and there’s a Grass for any sized garden and any soil type! They add sound and motion, creating white noise that helps block unwanted sound while screening off undesirable sights and prying eyes!

Drought and deer-resistant, heat and chill-tolerant, hard-to-kill Grasses are incredibly adaptable and versatile backbones of the landscape!

Top 7 Most Popular Grass Types

Fountain Grass (Pennisetum)

Graceful fountains of fine-textured grassy blades, aptly named Fountain Grasses, are colorful grasses that offer beautiful form and motion as they wave in the slightest breeze! These warm-season Grasses can handle the heat. Some great examples include:

Purple Fountain Grass - Hot climate ornamental & cold climate annual accent
Graceful Grasses® Fireworks Pennisetum - Colorful hot growing zone specimens
Dwarf Fountain Grass - Space-saving, lovely bunches
Little Bunny - Cute fluffy bunny tails & pint-size

Maiden Grass

Miscanthus Grass is another arching, graceful, and finely-textured grass with many size options available. The fluffy tasseled plumes in the late summer and fall add interest, and these warm-season grasses are cold-resistant and heat-tolerant. These Perennial Grasses often have incredible fall color, in fact. It’s so gorgeous that it’s earned the name Flame Grass because of the flame-red color in fall.

Huron Sunrise Maiden Grass - Reddish silky tassels
Maiden Grass - Soft green and shiny foliage
Morning Light Miscanthus - Silvery sheen & slender bi-color leaves
Little Miss Maiden Grass - Dwarf size!

Switch Grass

Also called Switchgrass, Panicum Grasses are elegant, more upright Perennial grasses that handle snow load and coastal gardens. Switchgrasses handle some drought, but also are fantastic in occasional wet soils and work great in Rain Gardens and along stream banks. These warm-season fast-growing Grasses have it all!

Heavy Metal Switch Grass - Metallic green and purple coloration and airy texture
Northwind Switch Grass - Very cold-hardy, warm-season grass
Dallas Blues Switch Grass - Highly adaptable blue-green ornamental
Shenandoah Switch Grass - Pinkish seed heads and vibrant red/burgundy fall color

Feather Reed

Vertical fine-textured and summer blooms, cold-hardy Calamagrostis have a wide variety of sizes and color options for you! As adaptable in clay, wet conditions, and drought, Feather Reed Grasses can also handle snow.

Karl Foerster Feather Reed - Upright architectural grasses with tan seedheads
Lightning Strike® Feather Reed Grass - Dramatic, white & green two-tone leaves
Overdam Feather Reed - White blades with a green center stripe
Avalanche Feather Reed - Pinkish purple plumes, autumn color, and bi-color foliage

Bluestem

Both Little and Big Bluestems are gorgeous varieties of the native Prairie Grasses, well-known for their tolerance, endurance, adaptability, and versatility! Colorful spring and summer foliage, Andropogon is a vertical fountain-textured grass that is incredibly cold-hardy! Showing off the family's blueish to purple fall color.

Blackhawks Big Bluestem - Dark purple metallic color and purple tasseled seed heads
Little Bluestem Grass - Space-saving little native with incredible adaptability
The Blues Little Bluestem - Showy blue-green foliage and coppery orange fall color
Red October Andropogon - Blue-green foliage and red fall color

Sedges

Moisture-loving Sedges are not true Grasses, but warm-season Carex have arching, graceful blades of foliage that are vividly colored! These smaller-sized grasses even handle more shade than other grassy perennials! Great for erosion and en masse plantings, plus they are fantastic for wildlife and birds!

Cappuccino Sedge - Coffee-colored blades in the fall for warm climates
Palm Sedge - A cold-hardy, whorled, bright green perennial
Evercolor® Everillo Carex - Bright golden green arching leaves!
Blue Zinger Sedge - Blue-green foliage and lively foliage

Rushes

Similar to Sedges, Rushes are also moisture-loving perennial grasses. However, Juncus has unique, round leaves instead of flat ones. Featuring spikey and upright growth, these water garden plants are highly tolerant of heat and chill and have space-saving, showy options. Best in hot climates, but also works great as annual accents.

Corkscrew Rush Spiralis - Unique curly spiraled green round leaves that resemble stems
Elk Blue California Gray Rush - Vertical, round foliage and yellow seedheads
Blue Arrows Rush - Striking blue-green evergreen foliage
Soft Rush - Evergreen to perennial cold-hardy native with lush green foliage

So Many Grasses To Choose From!

With versatility and diversity, the gorgeous forms and functions of perennial Ornamental Grasses will lend a flowing, magical effect to the garden!

So incredibly easy to grow and very low-maintenance, check out all the information on Ornamental grasses in our #ProPlantTips for care! Learn all you need about Grass maintenance and Planting techniques so you can enjoy these gorgeous foliage plants for their long life!

Order these incredible plants for your landscapes today from Nature Hills!

Happy Planting

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are ornamental grasses perennials or annuals?

Most ornamental grasses are perennials that return year after year, though some tropical varieties like Purple Fountain Grass grow as annuals in colder climates (zones 6 and below). Warm-season grasses such as Miscanthus and Switch Grass are hardy perennials that can handle both heat and cold temperatures across multiple growing zones. Cool-season grasses typically go dormant in winter but regenerate from their root systems each spring. Check the hardiness zone rating for your specific grass variety to determine if it will be perennial in your location.

When should I cut back my ornamental grasses?

Cut back warm-season ornamental grasses like Fountain Grass, Maiden Grass, and Switch Grass in late winter to early spring, typically February through March in most zones. Leave the dried foliage and seed heads throughout winter as they provide winter interest and shelter for beneficial wildlife. Cut the entire clump back to 4-6 inches above ground level before new growth begins. Use sharp hedge shears or a chainsaw for larger clumps, and always wear gloves as grass blades can be razor-sharp.

What is the best time to plant ornamental grasses?

The best time to plant ornamental grasses is in spring after the last frost date, typically April through June in most zones. This timing allows warm-season grasses like Fountain Grass and Miscanthus to establish strong root systems during the growing season before winter dormancy. Cool-season grasses can also be planted in early fall, 6-8 weeks before the first hard frost. Plant when soil temperatures consistently reach 60°F for optimal root development and establishment success.

How much sun do popular ornamental grasses like Miscanthus or Pennisetum need?

Most popular ornamental grasses like Miscanthus and Pennisetum thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and flowering. These warm-season grasses can tolerate partial shade but may produce fewer plumes and have a more open, less dense habit in lower light conditions. Plant them in your sunniest garden spots for the best foliage color, sturdy stems, and abundant late-summer plumes.

Can ornamental grasses grow in shade, and which types?

While most ornamental grasses prefer full sun, several varieties tolerate partial shade conditions. Sedges (Carex species) and some Fountain Grass cultivars can handle 4-6 hours of sunlight daily, though they may produce fewer blooms and have a more relaxed growth habit in shadier spots. Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa) thrives in partial to full shade and works beautifully as a groundcover in zones 5-9. Choose shade-tolerant varieties and plant them where they'll receive morning sun for best results.

What soil types work best for switchgrass or fountain grass?

Both switchgrass and fountain grass are remarkably adaptable to various soil conditions. Switchgrass (Panicum) thrives in everything from well-draining soils to occasionally wet areas, making it perfect for rain gardens and stream banks. Fountain grass (Pennisetum) prefers well-draining soils but tolerates poor, sandy, or clay soils once established. Plant either grass in spring after soil warms to 60°F for best establishment in your specific soil type.

How do I water ornamental grasses after planting?

Water newly planted ornamental grasses deeply 2-3 times per week for the first 4-6 weeks, providing approximately 1 inch of water weekly to establish strong root systems. Once established (typically after 6-8 weeks), most ornamental grasses become quite drought tolerant and only need supplemental watering during extended dry periods. Switch grasses can handle occasional wet conditions, while fountain grasses and maiden grasses prefer well-draining soil after establishment. Check soil moisture 2-3 inches deep and water when dry rather than following a strict schedule.

Are ornamental grasses drought-tolerant once established?

Yes, most ornamental grasses are exceptionally drought-tolerant once established, typically after their first growing season. Warm-season varieties like Fountain Grass (Pennisetum) and Maiden Grass (Miscanthus) thrive in hot, dry conditions, while Switch Grass (Panicum) handles both drought periods and occasional wet soils. Water regularly the first year to establish deep roots, then reduce watering frequency as these low-maintenance perennials can survive on rainfall alone in most climates.

How do I divide clumps of mature ornamental grasses like maiden grass?

Divide mature maiden grass and other ornamental grasses in early spring (March-April) before new growth begins, using a sharp spade to cut through the crown and root system. For large clumps, dig up the entire plant and use a saw or axe to split it into sections, ensuring each division has both roots and shoots. Replant divisions immediately at the same depth they were growing, spacing them 3-4 feet apart depending on the variety's mature size. Water thoroughly after planting and expect new growth within 2-3 weeks.

Will ornamental grasses like feather reed grass survive harsh winters in zones 5-9?

Yes, feather reed grass (Calamagrostis) is exceptionally winter hardy and thrives in zones 4-9, making it an excellent choice for harsh winter climates. This cool-season perennial grass actually prefers cooler temperatures and goes dormant naturally in winter, then rebounds vigorously each spring. Unlike warm-season grasses that may struggle in northern zones, feather reed grass handles snow load beautifully and requires minimal winter protection. Leave the dried foliage standing through winter for structure, then cut back to 4-6 inches in early spring before new growth emerges.