Giant Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental Grasses

• The term "ornamental grasses," according to Colorado State University Extension service, refers to not only native grasses, but to sedges, rushes and even bamboos. These grasses originate in many parts of the world and grow well in formal landscapes as well as xeriscapes and water gardens. They come in both annual and perennial types. Giant cultivars need large spaces to grow as they expand.

Ornamental Grass Care

• Planted best in spring, giant ornamental grasses need three to five hours of sunlight a day to produce their feathery plumes. Their resistance to pests and disease further make ornamental grasses advantageous additions to a landscape. Other than the occasional watering, cut back grasses anytime from late fall to early spring.

Maiden Grass

• Among the most popular giant ornamental grasses, Maiden grass (Miscanthus sinesis 'Gracillimus') grows 6 to 8 feet tall. It produces copper-colored flowers in the fall that stretch an additional foot above its thin leaves that arch, giving it a rounded shape. Drought tolerant, it grows well in a variety of soils.

Plume Grass

• An eye-catching specimen, plume grass, also called Mvenra grass (Erianthus ravennae), offers an impressive addition to landscaping. Gray-green foliage reaches 4 to 5 feet tall and its plumes another 8 to 10 feet above that. The silvery flowers turn cream in the fall, while the leaves turn varying shades of purple and orange. Works well in dried arrangements.

Pampas Grass

• This clumping grass reaches 6 to 10 feet tall with showy, silver-white plumes that have a pinkish tinge and long, narrow green leaves that arch over as they grow. A hardy plant in many zones, pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) tolerates drought-like conditions and coastal regions well. Female plants produce better blooms than male plants and all have sharp-edged foliage.

Giant Reed Grass

• Giant reed grass (Arundo donax) grows a massive 10 to 20 feet tall with upright stems and coarse foliage of a gray-green hue. Its 1- to 2-foot puffy flowers first bloom a reddish color and turn silver as they age and dry. This grass grows the tallest of all ornamental grasses, writes North Carolina State University, and looks similar to bamboo. This grass also comes in a variegated cultivar with white to yellow stripes on the leaves that turn a yellow green as they mature.