Popular Ornamental Grasses

Fountain Grass

• Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum) is an attractive ornamental grass considered an annual in colder climates. However, this plant is a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zones 8 through 11. Fountain grass exhibits mounded foliage and plumed flowerheads. The arching flowerheads contrast in color to the foliage, offering visual appeal. The grass reaches 2 to 4 feet high and 2 to 2 1/2 feet wide. Preferring full sun or partial shade, fountain grass needs well-drained soil. Native to Africa, it is deer-resistant. Foliage color can be medium-green or red with violet or pink flowers. Fountain Grass blooms from late spring through early fall. Gardeners enjoy the feathered flowerheads in fresh or dried bouquets.

Little Bluestem

• Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is named for the lavender-blue color on its stems. In poor soil, it only grows 3 to 5 inches high. In rich moist soil, it can grow up to 3 feet tall. This ornamental grass is a bunchgrass because 100 to 300 fine stems grow from each clump. Stems are pink with lavender-blue nodes and leaves are blue-green. During fall, foliage changes to rusty-bronze with purplish tinges. Little bluestem thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9. It survives cold winters best when trimmed down to a height of 3 to 5 inches. Little bluestem flourishes in deep, sandy, clay-loam soil. It does not tolerate shallow soil. Only older plants require fertilizer, making this ornamental grass low-maintenance. Little bluestem enjoys sun or partial shade and prefers dry conditions. Gardeners divide clumps to produce new plants. Little bluestem is appropriate for natural landscapes and as an accent in rock gardens.

Prairie Dropseed

• Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) is a unique ornamental grass with curved leaves that form mounds. This perennial grows 2 to 3 feet tall in a sturdy bunch that even stands up under heavy snow. Fragrant flowers appear above the mounded clump from June to August in shades of pink, yellow, brown and green. In the fall, the green foliage turns tan-bronze with orange hues. Prairie dropseed prefers sandy soil, full sun, and little moisture. This perennial grows slowly and requires 3 seasons to mature. Prairie dropseed is best propagated by seed since clumps are difficult to divide. Although this plant is commercially available, gardeners can collect seeds in October. Prairie dropseed thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9.