Think of any spot in your garden and there’s likely an ornamental grass to fit. This versatile group of plants suits all sorts of uses in landscapes, but it’s not always obvious what you should pair with them. A few details you’ll want to consider are the plants’ light and water needs, as well as their size. Perfect pairings include plants that enjoy the same growing conditions and are proportionate to one another.
Here are ten ornamental grass pairings you might consider for your own landscape.
Graceful Grasses® Vertigo® Pennisetum + Supertunia Vista® Petunias
Matching plants with similar vigor is the primary factor in this pairing. If you’re looking to fill a large space in a short amount of time, this is a beautiful and fairly inexpensive way to go.
Vertigo is an incredibly vigorous ornamental grass that can reach heights of 4-8’ with a similar girth in a single season. North of zone 8, it is grown as an annual and yes, it does get that big in one season! The photo you see here was taken near Detroit, Michigan, zone 5.
Supertunia Vista petunias are equally vigorous, with one plant growing 3-4’ across in a single season. They can easily compete with Vertigo for space in the landscape without getting swallowed up. Supertunia Vista® Bubblegum® is pictured here, and it also comes in four other colors that would pair beautifully with Vertigo.
Vertigo fountain grass and Supertunia Vista petunias enjoy full sun and average moisture conditions. They are both heat tolerant.
Graceful Grasses® Purple Fountain Grass + Señorita Rosalita® Cleome
Add a bright splash of purple that lasts through fall in your landscape by combining annual purple fountain grass with cleome. We chose varieties that grow to similar heights here and interplanted them to form a tapestry of fluffy foxtail plumes and rounded flower clusters. Senorita Rosalita cleome and purple fountain grass both typically max out around 3-4’ tall.
If you’d prefer a more layered look with the cleome planted in front and the grass behind it, choose Señorita Blanca® cleome which stays a little shorter at 18-36”.
Both of these plants will thrive in full sun with average water, and they are very heat tolerant. Since both are annuals, you’ll want to repeat this combination each year.
Graceful Grasses® ‘Sky Rocket’ Pennisetum + Rockin’® Playin’ the Blues® Salvia
Cool color palettes are a welcome sight, especially in warm climates. We love how this pairing gives us the fall feels without the use of the oranges and reds typical of the season. If you garden someplace where it is still tee shirt weather in October, this might be the perfect duo for you.
Fresh green and white striped ‘Sky Rocket’ annual fountain grass is paired with the cool blue spires of Rockin’ Playin’ the Blues salvia here. Blue, green and white is a classic color combination, and interplanting them helps the colors play off one another. You’ll have blue flowers from the time of planting, with fuzzy foxtail plumes joining the party from midsummer through fall.
Both of these plants prefer full sun to light shade, average moisture, and can reach heights of 3-4’. Yes, this is a very big salvia! And if you live in zones 7 or warmer, it should return for you each year.
Graceful Grasses® ‘Sky Rocket’ Pennisetum + Meteor Shower® Verbena
If blue and white is your color palette, then you’ll want to plant the Playin’ the Blues combination you saw above along with this one that features Meteor Shower verbena. Imagine both combinations running down your fence line or lining your driveway. A stunning view for such little effort!
Meteor Shower verbena is a plant that, once you grow it, you’ll want to have it in the garden every year. If you live in zone 7 or warmer, it will return on its own; elsewhere you’ll need to replant. There’s something magically magnetic about its flowers. Nearly every time you pass by, you’ll find bees or butterflies there feeding. There are plenty of blooms to go around, so be sure to pick a few for fresh bouquets.
This combination will thrive in full sun to light shade with average moisture. Both plants will reach heights of about 3’.
Prairie Winds® ‘Totem Pole’ Panicum + Lakota™ Fire Echinacea
With their native roots firmly planted in the prairies of eastern and middle America, you’ll find these two types of perennials are easily able to withstand full sun, heat, drought and less than ideal soils. Bees and butterflies are frequent visitors of coneflowers, while birds use the dried seed panicles of switch grass for nesting materials in spring.
We love how the hot red-orange to deep pink-red flowers of Lakota Fire contrast with the cool bluish foliage of ‘Totem Pole’ switch grass. Since its habit is very upright with a narrow footprint, this grass won’t overcrowd or shade out the coneflowers skirting its base. You could easily adapt this combination to work in a large or small space by adjusting the number of plants.
‘Totem Pole’ switch grass will return each year in zones 4-9 and grows 6’ tall by 2.5’ wide. Lakota Fire coneflowers are perennial in zones 4-8 and are a shorter selection, growing 12-16” tall and wide. They bloom from early summer into early fall.
Prairie Winds® ‘Cheyenne Sky’ Panicum + ‘Tuscan Sun’ Heliopsis
Like the ‘Totem Pole’ + Lakota Fire combination above, the two perennials you see here also share native roots from the Great Plains to the East Coast. They are easy to grow in full sun and average to somewhat dry soil. Bees and butterflies enjoy the daisylike blooms of ‘Tuscan Sun’, and birds enjoy the shelter ‘Cheyenne Sky’ provides in winter.
Since both of these perennials grow about 3’ tall, plant them side by side or near enough that the golden blossoms can play off of the dark red tones in the switch grass. Both will form a dense, non-spreading clump that you can’t see through, so take care not to plant something too short behind them that will get lost.
‘Cheyenne Sky’ switch grass is perennial in zones 4-9. ‘Tuscan Sun’ false sunflowers are a bit hardier, withstanding zones 3-9. Expect the reddish tones to start developing on this grass in early summer and the golden blooms to appear from midsummer through late summer.
Prairie Winds® ‘Apache Rose’ Panicum + Rock ‘N Grow® ‘Pride and Joy’ Sedum
In the perennial garden, autumn flowering sedums are as iconic as garden mums in fall. The start of their bloom means fall has officially arrived. The same could be said for switch grass; both come alive and show their true colors beginning in late summer and lasting well into fall.
We love how the airy panicles of ‘Apache Rose’ switch grass match the rosy pink tones of ‘Pride and Joy’ sedum. Since they bloom at the same time every year, you’ll get to enjoy this pairing for many years to come.
Grow these perennials in full sun and average to dry soils. ‘Apache Rose’ switch grass will grow 4’ tall, so you’ll want to plant the much shorter 10-12” tall ‘Pride and Joy’ sedum in front to bloom at its feet. This grass will return reliably in zones 4-9, while the sedum is a bit hardier in zones 3-9.
Prairie Winds® ‘Desert Plains’ Pennisetum + Low Scape Mound® Aronia
While many ornamental grasses can handle dry soils, fountain grass prefers consistent moisture. You’ll know it isn’t getting enough water if its leaf tips turn brown. Aronia also loves moist soils (though it can handle drier soils too). The perfect spot for this pairing would be an irrigated landscape border or slope in full sun.
We love the rich fall tones these two hardy plants offer; golds, oranges, reds and purples are quintessential fall colors. But there’s another advantage of pairing these two. Early in spring, when the grass is first starting to wake up from its winter nap, the Aronia will be showing off with loads of white flower clusters which attract pollinators. Deep purple-black fruit follows in summer.
‘Desert Plains’ fountain grass is perennial in zones 5-9 and grows 3-4’ tall. Plant it behind the shorter Low Scape Mound Aronia which grows 1-2’ tall in zones 3-9.
Graceful Grasses® ‘Fireworks’ Pennisetum + ‘Miss Violet’ Buddleia
Landscapes come alive when you add the element of movement. The fuzzy foxtail plumes of annual ‘Fireworks’ fountain grass sway in the slightest breeze while the fluttering of butterflies and pollinating bees brings movement to butterfly bush.
The rich jewel tones of variegated red fountain grass complement the purple plumes of ‘Miss Violet’ butterfly bush from midsummer into fall. We love how the arching shape of their flowers is echoed in one another. Since the butterfly bush grows a few feet taller than the grass, plant it behind or beside it. Then, skirt the grass with a white carpet of White Knight® sweet alyssum to get this look.
Grow this combination in full sun with average moisture and well-drained soil. ‘Miss Violet’ butterfly bush will return each year in zones 5-9 and grow 4-5’ tall. You’ll need to plant the 24-30” tall variegated red fountain grass and sweet alyssum annually.
Prairie Winds® ‘Cheyenne Sky’ Panicum + Winterberry Holly
Here’s a combination that goes the distance, delivering sumptuous red color from fall through winter in zones 4-9. ‘Cheyenne Sky’ switch grass colors up early and intensifies as the season progresses, reaching its peak when the winterberry holly turns red in fall. Though the grass will turn tan for winter, it continues to provide a beautiful backdrop for the bright red berries which persist through winter (or until the birds eat them!)
Another reason these plants make a great match is they both thrive in moist to wet soils. Switch grass is not fussy about soil; it can grow in almost any conditions as long as sunshine is plentiful. But winterberry holly does not like to dry out, so make sure to plant this duo where the hose or sprinklers reach.
Winterberry holly comes in different sizes, ranging from just a few feet to 8’ tall. ‘Cheyenne Sky’ switch grass stands three feet tall. If you’d like to plant a winterberry holly along the back of the border, choose a taller variety like Berry Heavy® or Berry Heavy® Gold. If you’d prefer to grow these two plants side by side, choose a shorter variety like Berry Poppins® or Little Goblin® Red. Remember, you’ll need to plant one compatible male holly for every five females to get the berries.
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Ornamental Grasses Care
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FAQs
Ornamental grasses are classic autumn stars, and they're usually combined with other great fall bloomers, such as Joe Pye weeds (Eupatorium spp. and cvs., USDA Hardiness Zones 3–11), black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia spp. and cvs., Zones 3–11), and sedums (Sedum spp. and cvs., Zones 3–11).
How do you place ornamental grasses in landscape? ›
Ornamental grasses are very versatile when it comes to where to plant them. They can be used to anchor a landscape along with evergreens or trees. Another way to plant them is by using them continuously mixed in around a landscape to help achieve a cohesive look.
Can you plant different ornamental grasses together? ›
One each, of many different kinds of grass creates a hodge-podge design with no visual focal points on which the eye can rest. Use shorter types masses around groups of larger growers. It is also permissible to include groupings of larger growing perennial flowers to provide color and contrast.
What two other plant families would fall into the ornamental grass category? ›
The grasslikes generally fall into one of two plant families; the Rushes, which represent the plant family Juncaceae, and the Sedges, which represent the Cyperaceae family. All three plant families contain plants adapted to a wide variety of habitats and planting conditions.
What plant looks good with fountain grass? ›
Vertigo fountain grass and Supertunia Vista petunias enjoy full sun and average moisture conditions. They are both heat tolerant. Add a bright splash of purple that lasts through fall in your landscape by combining annual purple fountain grass with cleome.
What looks good with fountain grass? ›
Add a Garden Accent
Here, a clump of fountaingrass subtly complements bold black-eyed Susans, canna, coleus, and petunia along a deck. Test Garden Tip: Use the same grass in several different parts of your yard to help tie your garden together and give your landscape a cohesive look.
How far apart should I plant ornamental grasses? ›
Spacing: Space ornamental grass 1 to 3 feet apart depending on the variety. If you want your grasses to form a solid wall of greenery, plant them closer together. Spreading grasses will fill in faster than clumping-type grasses, so they can be planted further apart.
Should you mulch around ornamental grasses? ›
Should I Mulch My Ornamental Grass Plants? Yes, applying 1 to 2 inches of mulch a bit farther out than the root zone extends when planting is a great option to keep weeds at bay as well as reduce watering needs by allowing the soil to better retain moisture.
What happens if you don't cut back ornamental grasses? ›
If you do not cut back ornamental grasses it is likely that your plant will begin to look untidy and take a poor form, lowering the overall look and appeal of your garden. New growth will become tangled in the old, dead leaves that will eventually begin to rot, damaging your gardens aesthetic appeal.
Are there any ornamental grasses that should not be cut back? ›
Ornamental grasses are grouped into three categories: warm season, cool season, and evergreen. Some evergreen "grasses," including seges and carex, aren't really in the grass family, and these don't need pruning (though they can be divided if they get unruly).
Once established, ornamental grasses have few needs. “The big thing with grasses is cutting them back once a year and dividing them once every four or five years,” Dori says. Most gardeners leave their native grasses in place for winter interest and to provide food for birds.
What is the hardiest ornamental grass? ›
1. Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca) This robust perennial grass has been a garden staple across the nation for some time. It's a cool-season grass, evergreen in zone 5, hardy to zone 4, and some varieties can withstand zone 3.
What kind of ornamental grass grows back every year? ›
Perennial ornamental grasses are an incredible addition to your landscaping for many reasons. They provide visual interest, many grow large and can fill empty spaces, and they return year after year. Perennial ornamental grasses include Miscanthus, Pink Muhly Grass, and Pampas Grass, just to name a few.
What is the green and white ornamental grass called? ›
Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus' is a large ornamental grass with longitudinally white and green striped foliage that inclines to sag with adverse weather conditions which may cause this plant to require staking. In warmer climates this plant can be quite weedy however, mulch will assist in preventing re-seeding.
Where is it best to plant ornamental grass? ›
Most ornamental grasses must have well-drained soil and full sun. Well-established sun loving grasses are drought tolerant. Planting them in raised beds will help to ensure good drainage. Ordinary garden soil is adequate for most grasses.
What are the cons of fountain grass? ›
Despite, or rather because of its popularity, fountain- grass is not without its problems . The main problem is its prolific production of viable seed that is easily shed at maturity . The seed will begin to ripen and drop in August on Long Island and some of this seed will start to germinate and grow right away .
What is the most popular fountain grass? ›
Purple Fountain Grass
A favorite of gardeners everywhere because of its burgundy-red foliage all season long, this tender perennial is often used in container gardens.
How do you pair plants together? ›
When growing different varieties of plants side by side, try to group them together by water needs. Deep-rooted vegetables like tomatoes and asparagus should be placed in the same bed, as they will thrive with less frequent (but more thorough) watering that soaks deep into the soil.
What to do with fountain grass in the fall? ›
You can cut the top now, but the grass will be less stressed if you wait until it is dormant. Fountain grass is a warm season grass that is dormant during the winter and begins growth after the coolest weather is past. You can trim the top any time from fall until growth resumes in the spring.
How do you winterize fountain grass? ›
Keep the plants in a cool, not freezing, dark location with slightly moist soil. The goal is to keep the fountain grass dormant, not growing and not shriveling up, throughout the winter. In mid March, move the plants to a warm sunny location to get them started growing.
How to Feed Ornamental Grasses. A month after planting, give your new ornamental grasses a nutritious meal of Miracle-Gro® Shake 'n Feed® All Purpose Plant Food to keep them growing strong. Shake evenly onto the soil, work into the top 1 to 3 inches of soil, then water well.
How short should I cut my ornamental grasses? ›
Warm-season grasses that are taller than three feet should be cut back to four to six inches from ground level. Shorter mature plants can be cut back to about three inches. Prune cool-season grasses back by two-thirds.
How far down do you cut ornamental grass in the fall? ›
You should cut the grass 6-10 inches off the ground. We recommend using gloves, and in some case eye protection. Some grasses can have sharp edges, so some people will also wear long sleeved shirts to protect their arms.
Are coffee grounds good for ornamental grasses? ›
It isn't the caffeine that stimulates healthy grass growth, but rather the nitrogen, phosphorus and trace minerals that coffee grounds contain. These nutrients are released slowly, which is a big benefit over quick release synthetic fertilizers.
What is the best fertilizer for ornamental grass? ›
Best Fertilizer For Ornamental Grass
You can add compost each year around the base of the plant, especially one grown in a container. If you want to fertilize ornamental grass, use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer like Osmocote 14-14-14. You can avoid fertilizers designed to encourage flowering.
What kills ornamental grass roots? ›
Herbicides are an effective way of removing ornamental grasses, grassy weeds and other problem plants. Glyphosate is a particularly effective herbicide, and careful application in a spray will concentrate the chemicals onto just the ornamental grasses.
Is Epsom salt good for ornamental grasses? ›
Iron in Epsom salt, for example, helps grasses to grow healthy and strong. Meanwhile, the magnesium in Epsom salt balances the PH level in your grasses so that it doesn't become too acidic.
How do you keep tall ornamental grasses from spreading? ›
Ornamental Grass Management
Plants that spread through rhizomes are easy to manage by trenching. Either create a barrier around the plant so the rhizomes don't spread or cut around the root zone of the plant in the summer so the rhizomes are confined and don't create offshoots.
Why is my ornamental grass flopping over? ›
One is lack of sunlight. Tall ornamental grasses stretch for the light and get "leggy" in shaded sites, making them more likely to flop apart. Most grasses do best in full sun. A second possibility is soil that's too rich, especially with an over abundance of nitrogen.
Do you have to divide ornamental grasses? ›
Most ornamental grasses grow easily and quickly from just a small start. A hollow center indicates when to divide ornamental grasses. Usually division every two to three years is appropriate. Dividing ornamental grasses is best done in late winter or early spring before growth starts.
Even though some ornamental grasses readily reseed and spread in the garden, other varieties may need assistance. As with any plant in the landscape, collecting ornamental grass seeds requires patience.
What is the ornamental grass that doesn't grow tall? ›
One of the prettiest low-growing ornamental grasses, tufted hair grass features fine, hair-like blue-green grass that emerges in clumps — later in the growing season, it turns a golden color. It typically stays around a foot tall, so it's ideal for less spacious gardens; it can even grow in containers.
What is a good substitute for blue fescue? ›
Some of the sedges (botanical name Carex) or wire grasses (botanical name Juncus) are quite durable and may be good substitutes. A giant ryegrass called Canyon Prince has striking blue-gray foliage, though it is a larger and coarser grass.
Should you burn or cut ornamental grasses? ›
Answer: The dead foliage of warm-season ornamental grasses can be burned to remove it and make way for new growth. It's the same reason why you would cut off the dead foliage, just a different means to the end. Wait until late winter or early spring to burn the foliage.
How do I know if my ornamental grass is dormant or dead? ›
The simplest way to determine dead vs. dormant grass is to grab a fistful of the brown grass and give it a pull. If the grass comes up roots and all with no resistance, it's dead.
Does ornamental grass multiply? ›
Unlike the tidy growth habit of clump-forming grasses, ornamental grasses that increase by rhizomes will spread, or run, throughout a garden bed and can quickly take over. Their growth habit is a lot like turf grass.
How do you manage ornamental grasses? ›
Ornamental grass is drought-resistant, so you don't have to water it much, and most pests don't find it appetizing. You only have to cut them back occasionally to eliminate the brown grass and keep it from dying. Additionally, you will have to divide it every few years.
What decorative grass survives winter? ›
Miscanthus Grass. Miscanthus is a versatile grass that turns from a silvery green in the warmer months to a rich, dramatic burgundy come winter. This favorite of birds offers up shelter and habitat during the winter months and looks effortlessly elegant in snow and ice.
What ornamental grass grows the fastest? ›
GROWING FAST:Pampas ornamental grass grows fairly fast, so is an ideal choice for filling in large, barren landscapes. It will also grow thick creating an effective privacy screen, wind break or sound barrier. UNIQUE LOOK:White pampas grass is an ornamental which grows as a perennial in USDA Zones 6 - 9.
Is there a short ornamental grass? ›
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny'
This is a miniature fountain grass which maintains a compact 8”-12” habit. The foliage is dark green and blooms with bottle brush-type seed heads from mid-summer throughout the fall. It grows in normal or sandy or rocky soil, preferring mostly-to-full sun.
Some people prefer to cut these grasses back in the fall, as they don't care for the floppy look throughout the winter, but the foliage actually helps to insulate the crown of the plant. Thus, we recommend you wait until late winter or very early spring to cut them down.
Do ornamental grasses freeze? ›
Fall Clean-up Tip: GRASSES: Cutting back ornamental grasses in fall can be harmful to them since freezing temperatures and cold snow lying on the crown on the plant can “hollow” them out. Grasses should be cut back in late March/early April once the threat of frost is gone and before new growth appears.
Should ornamental grass be planted in the fall or spring? ›
Ornamental grasses can be planted in the spring or the fall. The advantage of spring planting is to give the plants adequate time to develop a good root system before winter. Fall planting is often not as reliable without some additional precautions, particularly in years with early or severe winters.
What ornamental grass turns purple? ›
Purple fountain grass is aptly named for the arcing spikes of nodding purplish flowers that gracefully spray out of its mass of long, slender, burgundy-colored leaves. It has a fast growth rate and is best planted in spring.
What ornamental grass turns orange? ›
Orange Sedge is a moderate growing ornamental grass and perennial plant that can be grown in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5A through 9A. It matures to an average height of 1 foot to 2 feet and an average width of 1 foot to 2 feet, depending on climate and other environmental factors.
What is the smelly ornamental grass? ›
Eragrostis cilianensis (Stink Grass)
Can you mix two different grasses? ›
You can mix turfgrass varieties as long as they are of the same species. But perhaps the better question is “should I?” If you mix turfgrass varieties, you may end up with a lawn that is less than ideal. This is because each type of turfgrass has different requirements in terms of sunlight, water, and nutrients.
How far apart should you plant ornamental grasses? ›
Spacing: Space ornamental grass 1 to 3 feet apart depending on the variety. If you want your grasses to form a solid wall of greenery, plant them closer together. Spreading grasses will fill in faster than clumping-type grasses, so they can be planted further apart.
What is a good grass to mix? ›
Best fast-growing grass seed for semi-shade
For a sunny lawn with some trees, go for a mix of 40-60% Kentucky bluegrass, 30-40 % fine fescues, and 10-20% perennial ryegrass. 'The Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass will predominate in the sunny areas, and the fine fescues do well in the shade,' explains Peter.
What time of year do you divide ornamental grasses? ›
Divide warm season grasses anytime spring through mid-summer. All ornamental grasses should be divided when they are actively growing but not while they are flowering. If the plants are dormant when they are transplanted they won't establish a good root system.
Usually division every two to three years is appropriate. Dividing ornamental grasses is best done in late winter or early spring before growth starts. Divide even a small plant if you want to grow more. As long as roots are present, you can expect a nice clump by autumn.
Should ornamental grasses be cut back every year? ›
Once established, ornamental grasses have few needs. “The big thing with grasses is cutting them back once a year and dividing them once every four or five years,” Dori says. Most gardeners leave their native grasses in place for winter interest and to provide food for birds.
Is Miracle Grow good for ornamental grasses? ›
How to Feed Ornamental Grasses. A month after planting, give your new ornamental grasses a nutritious meal of Miracle-Gro® Shake 'n Feed® All Purpose Plant Food to keep them growing strong. Shake evenly onto the soil, work into the top 1 to 3 inches of soil, then water well.
What is the lifespan of ornamental grasses? ›
Most ornamental grasses are perennials, living for two or more years. Annual grasses live for only one growing season because of their natural growth habit or they are not hardy in our climate. Grasses have growth habits that are either clumping or spreading.
What is the best fertilizer for decorative grasses? ›
Best Fertilizer For Ornamental Grass
You can add compost each year around the base of the plant, especially one grown in a container. If you want to fertilize ornamental grass, use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer like Osmocote 14-14-14. You can avoid fertilizers designed to encourage flowering.
Should you fertilize ornamental grasses? ›
Most ornamental grasses do not need to be fertilized. Container plants need occasional feeding because they are in a closed environment, but in-ground plants usually do better without extra nitrogen, which can make leaves floppy and cause excess growth and limp plants.
