Ornamental grasses bring movement, texture and year-round interest to any garden, whether planted in borders, gravel gardens or containers. From compact evergreen varieties to tall architectural grasses, these ten favourites offer something for every style and growing space.
Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’
A tall grass with a slender upright habit. It stands up to the wind right through winter without requiring support. It is really useful planted in rows as a screen. In borders, plant it in groups of three amongst taller flowering perennials such as Perovskia, Helenium and Salvia Amistad. 180 x 60 cm
Carex oshimensis
A group of clump forming evergreen sedges. Carex can be varying shades of green to gold, variegated or bronze in colour. They are perfect for softening the edges of paths or in mixed planters. Most are happy planted in sun or part shade. 50 x 50 cm
Cortaderia
(Pampas grass) plumes are prized as dried/cut flowers. They are great for providing height and structure in coastal or windy places. They can be used equally as standalone statements or in mixed borders. Dwarf varieties are available and perfect for pots. Cortaderia ‘Tiny Pampa’ reaches just 60cm. Up to 1.8 m
Festuca ‘Elijah Blue’
Silvery-blue evergreen foliage and goes really well in Mediterranean and contemporary gardens. Drought tolerant, low maintenance and great in pots, it is a perfect choice for any garden. Just don’t plant it in soil that becomes saturated in winter.
30 x 25 cm
Hakonechloa ‘Aureola’
A lush arching grass that enjoys shade. Perfect for Japanese style gardens or pots where the foliage can cascade over the edge. It is deciduous, but puts on a lovely autumn show before dying back in winter. There is also a darker green version. 35 x 40 cm
Ophiopogon ‘Nigrescens’
Not strictly a grass but looks so much like one, that you will find it in the grass section. This black variety looks stunning in contemporary planting schemes, contrasting dramatically with silver foliage plants like Senecio ‘Angel Wings’. Green varieties are also available. 20 x 30 cm
Panicum ‘Shenandoah’
Stunning in small groups through the middle of a border or through a prairie style garden. Red and orange tipped foliage in summer, with red tinted flower panicles. Team with dahlias and salvias for a late summer show. In autumn the foliage turns a dramatic orange-yellow. The panicles hold on until winter looking beautiful rimed in frost. 90 x 90 cm
Pennisetum
Small to medium-sized grasses with tactile furry plumes. Some are not completely winter hardy. If you are in a frost pocket or soil that sits soggy over winter, grow them in pots and move to a cold greenhouse or conservatory. Some varieties have lovely pink or purple tints in the foliage and plumes. 120 x 90 cm
Stipa gigantea
Although very tall and wide, has such light and airy plumes that it is almost see through. It provides interest without blocking the view. Like pampas grass it can be used as a standalone feature or in a mixed border. 2.5 x 1.2 m
Stipa tenuissima
With its beautiful silky tips in summer, creates a sense of movement and softness. Tolerant of drought and salty air, it works well ribboned through gravel gardens as well as borders and looks beautiful in a planter with a mixture of perennials. 60 x 30 cm
Continue your Gardening Journey
Need a little extra advice? Visit your local Tates of Sussex Garden Centre today, where our friendly knowledgeable, team will be happy to help you choose the right plants and offer expert guidance.
