Dwarf Shade Grasses

Hystrix Patula

• Hystrix patula, a cool-season dwarf ornamental grass, is nicknamed "bottlebrush grass" for its spiky flower stems. Growing from 2 to 3 feet in height, Hystrix patula is a native American grass and ideal for the woodland garden or under an oak tree. An olive-green grass, H. patula blooms in July and August. It prefers dry soil and grows best in zones 3 through 7 on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Hakonegrass

• Hakonegrass (Hakonechloa macra) grows in a weeping form, from 1 to 2 feet in height. The "Aureola" variety is a striking variegated grass -- yellow with green streaks. Hakonegrass grows best in moist soil. A versatile ornamental grass, hakonegrass is grown as a ground cover, in containers and in the front of borders in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9.

Liriope

• Commonly known as lily turf, liriope is not an actual grass, but very grass-like. Liriope has variegated green-with-cream foliage and bears purple flowers in spring. It thrives in even deep shade and is attractive in mass plantings under trees. Although it provides an ornamental ground covering, it is not tolerant of foot traffic. Mow liriope as you do grass, with a lawn mower -- it comes back with new growth. Depending upon variety, liriope is hardy from zones 5 to 10a on the USDA Zone Map.

Maiden Grass

• There are several varieties of dwarf maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis) suited to the shade garden. "Little Kitten" is compact and bears thin, silvery blades with small flower plumes. Growing to a height of 24 to 30 inches, it is ideal for shade gardens in zones 5 through 9. The "Little Zebra" variety grows to the same height, but a bit wider. It has reddish-purple plumes that turn tan in winter and variegated foliage. "Yaku Jima," named after a Japanese island, is well-suited to the partial-shade garden. It offers thin plumes of silvery flowers over a compact bushy grass plant.