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Ornamental grasses can add a compact blue accent, brighten a partly shaded bed, or bring red foliage and seasonal plumes into a landscape. The six options below are chosen for distinct visual effects—not as a one-size-fits-all planting list. Before choosing, check your local climate, sunlight, soil drainage, mature size, and invasive-plant rules.
Compare the six grasses by the effect they create
| Grass | Visual effect | Reported mature size | Light and habit | Regional note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue fescue (Festuca glauca; also listed as Festuca ovina ‘Glauca’) | Blue to blue-gray foliage | About 8–10 inches tall (Arkansas); Maryland lists 6–10 inches. Width not stated by these sources. | Full sun; compact, clump-forming | Well suited to sunny edges and foregrounds. Sources: Arkansas Extension and Maryland Extension. |
| Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra, especially ‘Aureola’) | Colorful, cascading foliage | Not stated in the cited sources | Tolerates partial shade; low-growing grass | A candidate for brightening a partly shaded area. Sources: Iowa State Extension and Clemson Extension. |
| Japanese bloodgrass (Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’ / ‘Red Baron’) | Red foliage, strongest in full sun | Not stated in the cited sources | Spreads by rhizomes; not a reliably contained clump | Check local status and whether spreading plants suit the site before planting. Sources: Arkansas Extension and Iowa State Extension. |
| Pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) | Fine pink flowerheads | About 2–3 feet tall (UF/IFAS); width not stated | Sun to partial shade; compact, tuft-forming | Choose it for seasonal plume color; timing varies with location and weather. Sources: UF/IFAS and Maryland Extension. |
| Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) | Vertical emphasis; some cultivars develop red or burgundy fall color | About 3–6 feet tall (Maryland); width not stated | Full sun to part shade; clump-forming | Native across Maryland, but do not assume every cultivar is native or performs the same throughout the United States. Sources: Maryland Extension and Iowa State Extension. |
| Fountain grass (Cenchrus alopecuroides, synonym Pennisetum alopecuroides) | Bottlebrush-like flower plumes | Arkansas lists clumps about 18–24 inches tall; width not stated | Clump-forming; cultivars include ‘Hameln’ and ‘Moudry’ | Maryland lists this species as prohibited there because it is invasive. Check local regulations and omit it where restricted. Sources: Arkansas Extension and Maryland Extension. |
Choose a focal point that fits the site
For a small blue foreground accent: blue fescue
Blue fescue is a compact choice for a sunny bed edge or foreground, where its blue-gray leaves can contrast with green foliage or flowering plants. Arkansas Extension names ‘Elijah Blue’ and ‘Boulder Blue’ as selections for stronger blue color. Its small stature makes it easier to place near paths than taller grasses, but allow space for the mature clump rather than crowding it against paving.
For a bright, partly shaded area: Japanese forest grass
Japanese forest grass offers a cascading form and is one of the more useful choices in this group for partial shade. Iowa State includes it among grasses that tolerate partial shade, and Clemson Extension describes ‘Aureola’ as a colorful groundcover for brightening shade. Confirm that the site is bright enough for the selected plant and does not remain waterlogged.
For red foliage: Japanese bloodgrass, with a spread check
Japanese bloodgrass can provide a stronger red accent in full sun. Its rhizomes spread, however, and Iowa State lists it among aggressive spreaders. Use it only where its growth can be managed and local rules allow it; where spread is unsuitable, select a non-spreading alternative rather than relying on an edging barrier to make it harmless.
#1 Best Overall
- Sow Mar-May or Aug, Oct to the flowering location.
- The soil needs to be finely prepared and well-draining as the variety prefers drier conditions.
- Sow thinly no more than 3-5mm deep. Simply lightly rake over the seed
- Late summer sowing's will produce seed heads the following summer.
For pink seasonal plumes: pink muhly grass
Pink muhly grass forms a compact tuft, reported by UF/IFAS at about 2–3 feet tall, and is valued for its fine pink flowerheads. Maryland Extension describes clouds of pink seedheads. It can create a seasonal focal point in sun or partial shade, but the show is not a fixed calendar event: weather and location affect when the plumes appear and how long they last.
For height and fall color: switchgrass
Switchgrass brings a taller vertical element, with Maryland Extension listing a height of 3–6 feet and full sun to part shade. Iowa State notes red- and burgundy-fall-color cultivars. Choose a named cultivar for the color effect you want, and verify its mature dimensions and regional suitability; the species’ native range and cultivar traits should not be generalized to every planting location.
Rank #2
- Pampas grass is ornamental. Fresh green foliage reaches 8 to 12 feet tall, topped by long, thick silky "featherdusters"
- Pampas ornamental grass grows fairly fast making it an ideal choice for filling in large, barren landscapes
- It will grow in most soils with hardly any work. Low to no maintenance. You can shear ornamental grasses each winter so that new growth comes out clean in Spring
- Cortaderia selloana Pampas Grass has long, graceful blades and fluffy panicles that are beautiful
- Pampas Grass for wind protection and disguising unwanted scenery
For bottlebrush plumes: fountain grass only where permitted
Fountain grass has ornamental, bottlebrush-like plumes and Arkansas Extension lists compact clumps of about 18–24 inches, including cultivars such as ‘Hameln’ and ‘Moudry’. Its invasive status makes a local check essential: Maryland lists the species as prohibited. Do not plant it where restricted, and do not assume an attractive cultivar is exempt from local rules without confirming that point with an authoritative local source.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- High Germination Rate: Evergreen dwarf grass seed show reliable germination in optimal conditions. This dwarf fescue grass seed thrives in USDA zones 4–8, ideal for gardens, containers, and ornamental borders. Perfect evergreen dwarf grass seed for four seasons for florida.
- Compact Ornamental Growth: Blue fescue ornamental grass forms dense clumps 8–12 inches tall with striking blue foliage. Grass seed fescue perfect for edging, rock gardens, and decorative ornamental grasses live plants perennial ideal for landscapes.
- Sun Loving Perennial: Evergreen dwarf grass seed performs best in full sun with well-drained soil. This perennial ornamental grass seed maintains evergreen color through cool seasons. Fine fescue seed became a popular ornamental garden seed choice in gardens for its compact, tidy mounding habit.
- Container Friendly Variety: Fine fescue grass seed adapts well to pots and raised beds. Dwarf fescue grass seeds for lawn grows evenly, making live plants outdoor suitable for patios, balconies, and small outdoor spaces needing texture and color. Drought tolerant grass seed.
- Low Maintenance Lawn Accent: Fescue grass seed requires moderate watering once established. Blue fescue grass plants mature in about 115 days, bluegrass seed offers long-lasting ornamental value with minimal care in home gardens.
Rank #4
- Eragrostis spectabilis is commonly called Purple Love Grass. It is native to the United States both in the east and Midwest. It grows well on sandy infertile soils, and it prefers a location in full sun. Purple Love Grass forms clumps of coarse grass blades. The grass transforms in late summer when the purple colored flowers form.
- Purple love grass grows as a perennial ornamental grass in USDA zones 5 - 10 reaching a height of 20 inches.
- It becomes are haze of rosy purple and dances in the summer breezes making an attractive addition to any landscape. In the fall the foliage turns to a bronze color.
- Uses include naturalizing a landscape or wildlife garden. Purple Love Grass provides cover for ground birds and attracts butterflies. Start the seed indoors 4 – 6 weeks before the end of frost season, or directly sow seed outdoors after frosts have passed
- Sowing Rate: 3 seeds per plant. Press the seed into the soil but do not cover it. Germination is usually in 21 days with temperature ranging from 68 – 72F. This perennial ornamental spreads slowly by rhizomes, and it also will re-seed itself.
Rank #3
- NATIVE PRAIRIE INDIANGRASS SEEDS: Heirloom, non-GMO open-pollinated North American native grass seeds with high germination rates; adapted to USDA zones 4-9
- POLLINATOR PARADISE: Highly ornamental bunchgrass supports native bees, butterflies, and birds; drought-tolerant perennial with extensive root system for erosion control, creates essential tallgrass prairie habitat with low water needs once established
- STRIKING 6-FOOT GOLDEN BRONZE PLUMES and blue-green foliage and orange to purple fall color; thrives in full sun with natural deer resistance; perfect for prairie restoration, xeriscaping, bioswales, and pollinator meadows; self-seeds readily
- DETAILED GROWING INFORMATION: Paper seed packets include clear planting instructions, germination tips, and seed-saving info, great for beginner or experienced gardeners growing vegetables, herbs, flowers, or native plants
- FAMILY OWNED USA SMALL BUSINESS – Heirloom non-GMO seeds from Survival Garden Seeds, a trusted American brand; always open-pollinated, untreated, and quality tested for garden success
Place grasses by scale, season, and role
- Use short grasses such as blue fescue near the front of a border or along an edge; place taller switchgrass where it will not hide shorter plants.
- Repeat a grass in a small drift for a stronger visual rhythm, or use one distinctive clump as an accent. The right arrangement depends on the bed’s scale and sightlines.
- A grass can be a focal point itself or a backdrop that makes a separate centerpiece stand out. NC State Extension notes both uses, including colorful plumes as centerpiece plants: NC State Extension.
- Account for seasonal behavior. Iowa State notes that warm-season grasses emerge later in spring and may brown after frost, so a planting can look different across the year: Iowa State Extension.
- Leave winter structure standing where it suits the design, then follow local cleanup recommendations and fire-safety guidance for the site.
Check before planting
- Light: Match the plant to the actual hours and intensity of sun; Japanese forest grass is a stronger partial-shade candidate than most ornamental grasses.
- Drainage: Confirm the soil drains appropriately for the chosen species instead of assuming all grasses tolerate wet or dry conditions alike.
- Mature dimensions: Use reported heights as a starting point, and check the particular cultivar’s mature spread before placing it beside a walk, foundation, or other plants.
- Spread and regulation: Verify invasive status with a local extension service or relevant state authority, especially for Japanese bloodgrass and fountain grass.
- Seasonal expectations: Foliage color, plume timing, and winter appearance depend on species, cultivar, location, and weather.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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