Deer-Resistant Decorative Grasses

Japanese Sweet Flag

• Japanese sweet flag is a perennial herbaceous grass that is native to areas like the Philippines and India. The grass has an unpleasant taste to deer, and grows in slender leaves that are about a foot long. Cultivars include the Variegatus, which has a yellow stripe in the center of each medium green leaf, the Ogon, a variety with golden yellow leaves, and the Pusillus, a dwarf version of the Japanese sweet flag that only grows about three inches tall. It will grow in soil that is heavily loamy, and tolerates both full sun and partial shade.

Big Bluestream

• Big bluestream is a deef-proof grass that grows up to 6 feet tall. It is a perennial that grows quickly and sprouts during August and September. During September, the green blades of grass turn bronze or brown. Big bluestream has a deep root system, which equips it for handling considerably warm and arid weather. Moist soil that is drained well and full sun are the best growing conditions for the grass. Big bluestream is also commonly referred to as Turkey Feet, since the seed heads at the top of the blade resemble the foot of a turkey.

Blue Fescue

• Blue fescue is a decorative grass that grows in ball-shaped clusters that are around 10 inches tall in maturity. The leaves are particularly thin and bluish gray, due to a wax that the plant produces to protect the leaves. Blue fescue is native to central Europe, and doesn't do well in extremely hot climates. It can be used as a groundcover, and prefers well-drained soil. The grass can be divided during spring, which should be done every three years. Blue fescue is an evergreen grass that will display color all year long, and should be grown in full sun.

Ravenna Grass

• Ravenna grass is tall and coarse, and is a warm season grass. Ravenna needs soil that is moist but drained well, and can grow up to 15 feet tall. In order to keep your yard neat, it's best to cut the grass back during spring to make way for the new blades. The grass tends to die out in the middle of the blades as it matures so it should be divided every few years. The plume-like flowers of the grass aren't appealing to deer.