Short Ornamental Grasses

Popular Short Ornamental Grass Varieties For Small Gardens

Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)

Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca) is another popular small ornamental grass, known for its striking blue foliage. It forms neat, compact mounds and is an ideal choice for creating color contrast in the garden. Blue Fescue is particularly effective in rock gardens or as edging along pathways.

Dwarf Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln')

This compact fountain grass produces distinctive bottlebrush seed heads and maintains an elegant mounding habit perfect for border plantings.

Dwarf Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanus')

Dwarf Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon spp.): This 4 to 6 inch (10-15 cm) plant is bright green with blue flowers in the summer, making it excellent for groundcover applications.

Japanese Sedge (Carex morrowii)

Available in variegated forms, sedge varieties offer excellent shade tolerance and work well in woodland garden settings.

Landscape Design Ideas with Short Ornamental Grasses

Rock Garden Focal Points

Short ornamental grasses excel in rock garden settings, where their soft textures contrast beautifully with hard stone elements. Plant blue fescue or dwarf fountain grass between boulders for natural-looking accent points.

Pathway and Border Edging

Create defined garden edges using compact grass varieties. Their consistent height and neat growth habit make them ideal for lining walkways and flower bed borders.

Container Gardens and Small Spaces

smaller spaces and containers. Varieties like Dwarf Fountain Grass, Blue Fescue, Little Bluestem, Japanese Forest Grass, Dwarf Mondo Grass, Dwarf Pampas Grass, and various Sedge cultivars offer a range of colors, textures, and forms to enhance urban gardens and patio designs.

Mass Plantings for Erosion Control

When planted in groups, short ornamental grasses create effective groundcover that helps prevent soil erosion while providing attractive landscape coverage.

Mixed Perennial Borders

Combine dwarf grasses with flowering perennials to add textural contrast and movement. Their fine foliage complements bold flower shapes and colors.

Planting and Care Guide For Compact Ornamental Grasses

Site Selection and Soil Requirements

Most short ornamental grasses thrive in full sun to partial shade conditions. While they prefer well-draining soil, many varieties adapt to various soil types, including clay, sandy, and rocky conditions.

Planting Tips:

• Timing: Plant in spring after frost danger passes or in early fall
• Spacing: Allow adequate room for mature spread (typically 12-18 inches apart)
• Soil Preparation: Ensure good drainage; amend heavy clay soils with compost
• Depth: Plant at the same depth as the container

Watering and Maintenance

Initial Care: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish strong root systems.

Established Plants: Most varieties become drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal supplemental watering.

Mulching: Apply 3-4 inches of organic mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Seasonal Care Schedule

Spring: Cut back dormant grasses to 2-3 inches before new growth appears. Divide overcrowded clumps every 3-4 years.

Summer: Minimal care required. Remove spent flower heads if desired, though many provide attractive seed heads.

Fall/Winter: Leave ornamental seed heads for winter interest and bird food. Most varieties provide structural beauty through the winter months.

Best Short Ornamental Grasses For Specific Conditions

Shade-Tolerant Varieties:

• Japanese Sedge (Carex morrowii)
• Dwarf Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)
• Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)

Drought-Tolerant Options:

• Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)
• Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
• Buffalo Grass (Poaceae dactyloides)

Cold Hardy Selections:

• Tufted Hair Grass (Deschampsia cespitosa)
• Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens)
• Feather Reed Grass dwarf varieties

Why Choose Nature Hills Nursery for Your Short Ornamental Grasses

At Nature Hills Nursery, we offer an extensive collection of premium short ornamental grasses selected for their proven performance and garden value. Our container-grown plants arrive ready to plant and establish quickly in your landscape.

Quality Guarantee: Every plant is inspected for health and vigor before shipping.

Expert Selection: Our horticultural team curates varieties for specific growing conditions.

Professional Support: Get planting advice and care guidance from our experienced staff.

Transform your garden with the graceful beauty of short ornamental grasses. These versatile, low-maintenance plants provide year-round interest while requiring minimal care. Perfect for today's busy lifestyles and sustainable gardening practices.

Order your dwarf ornamental grasses online today and discover why these compact beauties are becoming essential elements in modern landscape design!