Ornamental grasses are a great addition to any yard. They add movement and vertical lines to your gardenscape. Many varieties provide a pop of seasonal color and some even offer year-round interest. Birds and butterflies are often attracted to the shelter that ornamental grasses provide, so they’re also a great choice for enthusiasts hoping to entice winged and feathered friends. Bonus? Most ornamental grasses are extremely low maintenance, so they’re a great way to beautify your garden without committing to a lot of upkeep. Additionally, most varieties are perennial, so you won’t need to plant them year after year, and some even change color along with the seasons! Not sure where to start? We’ve rounded up our favorite ornamental grasses to inspire you! Check out our top 10 picks below.
#1 Pink Muhly Grass

Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) features pink flowers that are followed by purplish seeds, adding welcome color in the fall. This ornamental grass is also surprisingly hardy and able to tolerate heat, humidity, drought, and salt. We recommend planting Pink Muhly Grass en masse for the most dramatic effect. This perennial grass is hardy in Zones 5 – 9.
#2 Blue Oat Grass

Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) offers pretty, blue-green fronds in summer that later fade to brown. It does well in sunny to partly sunny locations and isn’t affected by deer, black walnut, drought, or pollution, making it a hardy, low-maintenance option for yard ornamentation. Blue Oat Grass is hardy in Zones 4 – 8.
#3 Tufted Hair Grass

Tufted Hair Grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) is a host plant for several butterfly species. It also features plenty of greenery and boasts earth-toned flowers in early summer. In fall, this ornamental grass turns golden and keeps its color and shape throughout the winter. Looking for even more impact? The Northern Lights cultivar boasts a stunning pinkish blush in spring paired with vibrant green veins. Tufted Hair Grass does well in full sun to partial shade and is hardy in Zones 4 – 9.
#4 Japanese Forest Grass

Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra) does well in shade and pairs beautifully with coral bells, astilbes, or hostas. The perfect ornamentation for nearly any garden, it is hardy in Zones 4 – 9. Just be sure to give this ornamental grass plenty of moist, well-draining soil to thrive in!
#5 Indiangrass

Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) features blue-green blades that turn golden in the fall. Its gold-bronze seed heads are also quite pretty. Note that Indiangrass does self-seed, so it’s best to use it in areas where there’s room for it to spread. Indiangrass is drought-tolerant, attractive to many birds, and hardy in Zones 3 – 9.
#6 Little Bluestem Grass

Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a beautiful, drought-tolerant choice that’s great for ornamenting your garden. Be sure to grow it in full sun with plenty of well-draining soil. For a truly show-stopping option, consider the Prairie Winds Blue Paradise cultivar, which turns a deep wine-purple hue in fall. Little Bluestem Grass is hardy in Zones 3 – 10.
#7 Switchgrass

This clump-forming ornamental grass can grow up to 6 feet tall, but is available in a variety of cultivars with different sizing, so you can find the perfect addition to your garden. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is also a great way to attract many desirable garden creatures, including finches and Skipper butterflies. It is hardy in Zones 3 – 10 and prefers full sun with moist, well-draining soil.
#8 Purple Fountain Grass

Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum sataceum ‘Rubrum’) offers long, strap-like dark purple leaves that are topped by fluffy flowers mid-season. This ornamental grass is a great way to add visual interest to your yard during fall and winter. It’s also great for adding height and texture, and is a favorite among birds. For best results, be sure to plant yours where it will receive full to partial sun. Purple Fountain Grass is hardy in Zones 9 – 10.
#9 Japanese Silver Grass

Japanese Silver Grass grows 3 – 12 feet tall (or higher) and features wispy heads of reddish to silvery flower clusters that mature into fluffy seeds come fall. In winter, the grasses hold their form, making this ornamental plant a great choice for four-season appeal. Japanese Silver Grass is hardy in Zones 4 – 9.
#10 ColorGrass Spiky Blue Corynephorus

Looking for an attractive groundcover option? ColorGrass Spiky Blue Corynephorus has spiky blue-gray foliage that grows about 1 foot tall and 8 inches wide. It’s hardy in Zones 6 – 9, but can be treated as an annual in other areas.
Looking for more garden inspiration? Check out our favorite winter flowers!