Ornamental Grasses in the State of Washington

Identification

• The Washington State University Extension cites trembling grass (Briza media Trembling Hearts), drooping sedge (C. pendula), and Japanese silver grass (M. s. Flamingo) as among the ornamental grasses in Washington State.

Size

• Trembling grass has a mature height of about 2 ½ feet and grows well in full sun. Drooping sedge grows up to 4 feet tall and is well adapted to growing in shade. Japanese silver grass is among the taller ornamental grasses with a height of up to 6 feet.

Uses

• You can use trembling grass as a ground cover for smaller areas. The grass also performs well as an accent plant. Drooping sedge grows on moist stream banks and woods in its natural habitat and is a good plant near ponds or in wet landscape areas. Japanese silver grass serves well as a screen or hedge and may be planted as a background to perennial beds.