Arisitida purpurea
Purple Three Awn
This is a fine-textured, ornamental grass that grows in a clumping form, adding interest during the summer and fall months. If possible, locate where it will be backlit by the sun to best enjoy the dramatic colors of the seedheads. Photo courtesy of Mountain States Wholesale Nursery. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Bouteloua curtipendula
Sideoats Grama
Sideoats Grama is an upright, clumping grass. Leaves are blue-green then turn tan in winter. Tolerates heat and drought. The large seeds develop on one side of the stalk and are loved by birds. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Bouteloua gracilis
Blue Grama Grass
As the green leaves of Blue Grama Grass go dormant in fall, they turn a tan color. The delicate seedheads on tall spikes look like eyelashes. Accepts some shade. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Buchloe dactyloides
Buffalograss
Buffalograss is an unusual ornamental grass in that it typically takes on the role of a grass lawn substitute. It takes a while to establish from either seed or plugs—small sections of sod. If planting as sod, look for female selections such as 'Prestige' for a more uniform appearance. Drought tolerant once it is established. Canopy coverage is dependent on amount planted.
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Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
Feather Reed Grass
Feather Reed Grass displays something of interest practically year-round, with flowering seedheads that remain on the plant late into the year. This popular grass provides strong vertical element in the landscape. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Carex divulsa
European Gray Sedge, Berkeley Sedge
This mounding, fine-textured plant fills in nicely in a partially shaded location. It is not a grass, but a sedge, a grasslike plant. It grows to 1-1/2 feet high and can become a lawn substitute with time, accepting moist, boggy soils. Provide with more moisture in hot-summer regions. Will reseed where there is moisture. Remove seedheads as they turn brown to prevent. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Chasmanthium latifolium
Sea Oats, Bamboo Grass
Sea Oats is an ornamental grass with large dramatic seedheads. Looking similar to oat seed clusters, they turn from a silvery green to copper and then tan in winter. They made a wonderful addition to floral arrangements. Accepting of most soils but prefer moist soil. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Dasylirion longissimum
Mexican Grass Tree
Consider Mexican Grass Tree a memorable accent due to its color, texture and intricate globe-shaped form. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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Dianella tasmanica
Tasman Flax Lily
A grasslike perennial. Plants can become invasive if located near well-irrigated planting beds. ‘Variegata’ (see photo) is often a preferred choice with leaves that feature wide white stripes along its margins, adding brightness to shady corners. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Elymus condensatus 'Canyon Prince'
Canyon Prince Wild Rye
This is an ornamental grass that prefers some afternoon shade. The foliage rather than flowers is its primary attraction. Canopy coverage: 1 square feet.
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Festuca glauca
Blue Fescue
Its rounded shape makes Blue Fescue appealing as a border or pattern planting. 'Elijah Blue', single plant shown in photos, is a popular selection. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Festuca idahoensis
Idaho Fescue Grass
Idaho Fescue Grass is an attractive grass with a symmetrical, globe-shaped form and fine-textured leaves. Seedheads appear several inches above the foliage in midsummer. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Helictotrichon sempervirens
Blue Oat Grass
The growth habit of Blue Oat Grass is clumping and symmetrical. Attractive features include striking blue-green foliage (more blue than green) and seedheads on tall stems that rise well above the leaves. Foliage turns tan color in cold-winter regions. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra'
Japanese Blood Grass
This is an improved selection that spreads by underground runners. Leaves of 'Rubra' emerge green in spring and redden as the weather warms. The species, Imperata cylindrica, should not be grown: it is considered one of the world's worst weeds and is highly invasive. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Lygeum spartum
False Esparto Grass, Albardin
This ornamental grass is upright in form and spreads by rhizomes. Flowers are unique and grow on top of tall stems. Accepts poor rocky soils. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Miscanthus 'Giganteus'
Giant Chinese Silvergrass
Massive and dramatic are two words that describe Giant Chinese Silvergrass. Not a plant for a small garden, it is versatile, serving as a background, screen or specimen. Cut back to 6 to 12 inches above plant crown in early spring to renew growth. Seedheads are definitely eye-catching. In hot summer regions locate plants where they will receive some afternoon shade. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Miscanthus sinensis
Japanese Silver Grass
Many selections of Japanese Silver Grass are available. 'Variegata' has attractive variegated leaves (shown). In hot summer regions locate plants where they will receive some afternoon shade. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Muhlenbergia capillaris
Pink Muhly
Seedheads are the attraction of Pink Muhly. 'Regal Mist' is an improved selection with fine-textured seedheads that present an airy "mist" of deep pink. Plants may be semievergreen. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Muhlenbergia dubia
Pine Muhly, Mexican Deergrass
Pine Muhly grows in a dense, clumping form to about 2 feet high, but seedheads in summer and fall add an additional 3 feet in height. Similar to Deergrass but it presents as a smaller version, useful for today's smaller lots. Drought tolerant; best planted in well draining soil. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Muhlenbergia dumosa
Bamboo Muhly
The clumping form of Bamboo Muhly is casual. It does remind one of bamboo, with thin, airy, bamboolike stems. Provide with extra water during summer for better appearance. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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Muhlenbergia emersleyi
Bull Grass
The flowers and seedheads of Bull Grass are borne on tall spikes up to 3 feet above leaves. The selection 'El Toro' has striking, rose-purple flower spikes. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet. Photo bottom left courtesy Mountain States Wholesale Nursery.
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