Grasses grown for their foliage and plumes can serve as screens, groundcover, drifts or focal points, and the role depends on mature size. ‘Ivory Feathers’ dwarf pampas reaches 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide, with plumes to 10 feet.
Some grasses also turn invasive in certain regions, so check your state’s invasive list before buying.
Year-Round Color and Texture
Pairing two groups of grass stretches the season. Cool-season types emerge in early spring and go dormant in early summer, while warm-season types grow until a hard freeze.
Combine both types for a grassy show of at least six months. Plant cool season types in front of warm season ones.
— Monrovia
Front-row cool-season clumps give way to the warm-season grasses behind them.
‘Regal Mist’ pink muhly (Zones 6–9) looks plain green in spring and summer. Once cooler temperatures arrive, its ruby pink plumes color for 2–3 months.
Leave plumes and seed heads standing through winter for texture and bird shelter, then cut back in early spring.
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🔥 SPECTACULAR FLAME-LIKE FALL COLOR Flame Grass transforms from rich green summer foliage into brilliant shades of orange, scarlet, crimson, and burgundy in autumn, creating a dramatic focal point in any landscape.
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Privacy Screen or Hedge
Grasses taller than 4 feet make a fast screen or hedge, and many need little water once established. ‘Ivory Feathers’ dwarf pampas grows 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide, with plumes reaching 10 feet, in Zones 7–11. ‘Fairy Tails’ reaches 6–7 feet with extra water and about 5 feet in a drier site (Zones 7–10).
For the tallest wall, miscanthus giganteus climbs to 12 feet or more, which suits a property line better than a patio edge.
Screen grasses get cut down every year, so plant something evergreen behind them if you need privacy all year. Divide the clumps every few years to keep them in check.
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[ Quantity & Size]: The package includes 9 stems of large black pampas grass. Our tall fake pompas grass is approx 3.1 feet, 37''/ 95 cm. The feathers plume is about 23'' and the stem is 14''
【Generous Quantity & Practical Size】:36 pcs White faux pampas grass, each 21.6 inches tall. Full elegant plumes; simply fluff up for soft, attractive home decor.
[ Quantity & Size]: The package includes 9 stems of large White faux pampas grass. Our tall fake pompas grass is approx 3.1 feet, 37''/ 95 cm. The feathers plume is about 23'' and the stem is 14''
Groundcover for Slopes and Borders
Short grasses fill slopes, rock gardens, border fronts and path edges, and compact sedge, blue fescue and mondo grass spill over edges, so put the string trimmer away.
Black mondo grass stays 6 inches tall (Zones 5–10). Plant it beside gray or blue foliage so the dark blades don’t vanish. ‘Nana’ tops out at 2–3 inches and fits between pavers.
Taiwan mondo reaches 6 inches tall and 3 feet wide (Zones 7–9). In sun, blue fescue grows 12–18 inches (Zones 4–11) and ‘Little Bunny’ fountain grass stays 12 inches (Zones 4–9). ‘EverColor Everest’ sedge, 15 inches tall and 24 inches wide (Zones 5–9), takes part sun to full shade.
On loose sandy slopes, native grasses with fibrous roots hold the soil in place.
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READY TO PLANT: Includes 6 Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) starter plants in 2.5″ cubes. Each plant is well-rooted and ready to thrive. Natural variations in size, color, or seasonal appearance may occur.
WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE: Pink Muhly Grass live plant, approximately 4 inches tall, ready for planting in your garden or landscape area
Hardy in USDA zones 6-9. Due to varying agricultural regulations, we do not ship to the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA and HI.
Mass Plantings and Drifts
Planting one grass in a single block makes a soft, mounding drift that reads from the street or the back door, which a scatter of single plants never does.
Blue grama ‘Blonde Ambition’ reaches 3 × 3 feet in Zones 4–9, and its blond seedheads last through winter. ‘Hameln’ is also 3 × 3 feet in bloom (Zones 5–9).
For a taller drift, ‘Shenandoah’ switch grass stands 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide in bloom (Zones 4–9), and its leaves turn burgundy in fall.
In Zones 8–10, lomandra works the same way. ‘Lime Tuff’ and ‘Del Sol’ both reach about 2.5 × 2.5 feet, and ‘Breeze’ reaches 3 × 4 feet. Use one variety per drift, because mixing several breaks up the mound.
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This dwarf variety, only half the size of others, creates a lush groundcover of dense, dark green grass-like clumps. Excellent as an edging plant or tucked into rocks for a pleasing contrast. Striking in mass plantings in the landscape. Evergreen.
Stunningly black, shiny, rounded leaves hold their color all season
Eye-catching grass-like perennial with green and silver variegated foliage. A tough and easy to grow edging for pathways and borders. Adds texture and color contrast in mixed beds or containers. Plant in mass for great effect.
Soften Hardscape and Screen Utilities
Grasses take the hard edge off retaining walls, light posts, water features, stone paths, sidewalks, patios and mailboxes. They can also hide an air conditioner or other utility; plant them so the access panel stays clear.
Check the mature height and width before you buy.
A grass that outgrows its spot means cutting it back to fit, and that fight never ends. ‘Overdam’ feather reed grass is a compact choice for tight spots like a mailbox base or a path edge.
It stays about 2 feet tall and wide, with yellow-margined foliage.
Its reddish-brown summer blooms turn golden in fall on stalks that reach 6 feet. It grows in Zones 4–9.
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READY TO PLANT: Includes 3 Deer Grass (Muhlenbergia rigens) starter plants in 2.5″ cubes. Each plant is well-rooted and ready to thrive. Natural variations in size, color,...
Layer by Height
Plant the bed in three tiers, shortest at the front, so each grass stays visible from the path or patio.
| Tier | Height | Grasses | Job |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 6–12 inches | Blue fescue | Edging the bed |
| Middle | 2–4 feet | ‘Hameln’, river oats | Fullness between other plants |
| Back | Upwards of 4 feet | ‘Fairy Tails’, miscanthus | Backbone of the bed |
On a small budget, buy the middle tier first.
Those grasses fill gaps between other plantings, and they also work alone as a focal point. Add the tall back row when you have a wall, fence, or bed edge to anchor it.
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Details:The artificial ivy privacy fence is 120 inches long and 40 inches wide,with green faux ivy leaves.It can be disassembled into small pieces (12pcs 20x20 in), freely assembled to your desired size. 100 cable ties are included to assist with installation. The patio privacy screen Vine is textured and look real. Privacy fence leaves are dense, which can effectively block strong light,ultraviolet rays.
Focal Point or Centerpiece
A grass with colorful plumes can carry a bed alone, planted in the middle of it or in a large pot where a patio needs a focal point.
‘Regal Mist’ pink muhly suits a small yard. It reaches 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide in Zones 6–9, and its airy pinkish-red flowers glow when the sun is behind them. ‘Ivory Feathers’ dwarf pampas is the bolder pick for Zones 7–11.
The clump grows up to 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide, and its fall plumes rise to 10 feet.
Choose by mature size, not by the size of the nursery pot.
Leave open ground at least as wide as the grass will spread: 3 feet for the muhly, 6 for the pampas. The muhly is the safer choice for a container.
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Backdrop for Accent Plants
River oats makes a quiet backdrop.
It grows 2–4 feet tall, and its drooping seed heads turn ivory in mid-summer, giving a pale, fine-textured screen behind a bolder plant. ‘Shenandoah’ switch grass works the same way at 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide in bloom.
Its green leaves with red tips in spring darken through summer and turn burgundy in fall, and it is hardy in Zones 4–9.
Check the neighbors before you plant.
A dark centerpiece disappears against a dark backdrop, and burgundy ‘Shenandoah’ behind a deep-colored plant will blur it. Black mondo grass, only 6 inches tall, keeps its color best near gray, blue, or lighter green foliage.
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Muhly Grass grows well in well-draining soil and can adapt to sandy, or rocky planting areas
Live Pink Muhly Grass Plant: Includes muhly grass in a 3 gallon container; features upright growth suitable for landscape borders, garden beds, or outdoor spaces
READY TO PLANT: Includes 3 Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) starter plants in 2.5″ cubes. Each plant is well-rooted and ready to thrive. Natural variations in size, color, or seasonal appearance may occur.
Planting and Care Basics
- Give new plants at least 1 inch of supplemental water during the first few weeks. In sandy soil, which drains fast, water more often.
- Once established, many grasses handle heat and drought, and some tolerate wet ground for long stretches. Cut back on watering, and consider them for a spot that stays soggy.
- In late spring, apply 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer. For ground-cover grasses, use 2–3 pounds per 100 square feet of bed.
- In late winter, cut the clumps back to 6–8 inches above the ground. This gives a healthy flush of spring growth.
- Divide grasses used as screens every few years.
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Shade-Loving Native Plant – Thrives in partial to full shade; ideal for woodland gardens and low-light areas.
Shade-Loving Native Plant – Thrives in partial to full shade; ideal for woodland gardens and low-light areas.
Shade-Loving Native Plant – Thrives in partial to full shade; ideal for woodland gardens and low-light areas.
Invasive Risk and Wildlife Value
Invasiveness depends on where you garden. Mexican feather grass and northern sea oats became invasive in a zone 9 garden, and Amur silvergrass is invasive in Iowa.
Miscanthus is the one to watch where beds get regular water, because its seed heads are what make it spread. Very few miscanthus are truly sterile; ‘Cabaret’ and giganteus are two that are.
Check your state’s invasive list or ask a local independent garden center before you buy, since a grass that behaves in one region can run wild in another.
Native grasses earn their space for wildlife.
Their seed feeds birds, the clumps give nesting sites, and some species feed butterfly caterpillars. Some grasses also resist browsing, which helps where animals nibble everything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use ornamental grasses in a landscape design instead of shrubs and perennials?
Grasses add texture, move in even a light breeze, and keep a garden interesting across much of the year.
Pairing cool-season and warm-season types gives a show of at least 6 months, and many need little water once established. Native grasses also feed birds and give them nesting sites.
What ornamental grasses are easy to care for and stay tidy without trimming?
Compact sedge, blue fescue and mondo grass are good choices because they spill over edges, so you can skip the string trimmer.
Blue fescue grows 12–18 inches tall in sun (Zones 4–11), and black mondo grass stays 6 inches tall (Zones 5–10). ‘EverColor Everest’ sedge reaches 15 inches tall and 24 inches wide (Zones 5–9) and handles part sun to full shade.
What grasses soften retaining walls, patios, paths and mailboxes?
Grasses can take the hard edge off retaining walls, light posts, water features, stone paths, sidewalks, patios and mailboxes.
Match the plant’s mature height and width to the space before you buy, or you will be cutting it back all the time. ‘Overdam’ feather reed grass is a compact option at about 2 feet tall and wide (Zones 4–9), and it fits a mailbox base or path edge.
What types of ornamental grass are available?
Ornamental grasses range from 6-inch black mondo grass to miscanthus giganteus at 12 feet or more. Mid-size picks include river oats at 2–4 feet and ‘Hameln’ fountain grass at 3 feet in bloom.
Pink muhly, white muhly and little bluestem are also popular. Check the mature size and your hardiness zone before choosing.
