Today, ornamental grasses are a popular, diverse group of plants.
One nursery in Florida lists more than 60 cultivars in its
catalog.

Most people know pampas grass, a South American import that’s a
mainstay in the nursery industry. However, its large size and
coarse texture may be overpowering in small spaces.

Dwarf pampas grass is a popular alternative. It grows 4 to 5 feet
tall and has narrower leaves and a finer texture than its
full-size cousin.

In late summer, creamy white, silky flowers (up to 24 inches
long) emerge on strong spikes above the foliage. It makes a
dramatic statement just when the rest of the landscape is in a
lull.

Variegated Forms

Nurserymen also have introduced variegated forms of pampas grass,
such as Silver Comet and Sun Stripe, which have creamy white leaf
margins, and Gold Band, with a yellow-gold band along its
margins.

Miscanthus is one of the most popular groups of ornamental
grasses on the market today. More than 20 cultivars can be found
in the trade with foliage that’s plain green, variegated or
banded with golden yellow bars along each leaf.

Many have a finer leaf texture than pampas grass and aren’t
quite as bold and domineering in the landscape. One of the
popular variegated cultivars is Morning Light, with white-edged
variegation giving it a silvery look.

Variegated Japanese silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis
‘Variegatus’) is one of the oldest and most widely available
cultivars. It’s a knockout when used adjacent to plants with dark
foliage, such as pigmy crimson barberry or burgundy
loropetalum.

Zebra Grass

Zebra grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’) conjures up
thoughts of the Serengeti Plain in Tanzania with its gold bands
along each leaf. It makes a bold statement in the landscape,
reaching up to 7 feet by late summer. It’s best used as a
background plant.

Porcupine grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’) has
similar foliage, but grows more upright and erect than zebra
grass, making it a better choice for small spaces.

Switch grass (Panicum virgatum) is a native American
prairie grass becoming increasingly popular in the landscape
trade, thanks to the introduction of new cultivars such as Heavy
Metal and Prairie Sky. They have powder-blue foliage with silvery
gray flowers on loose, open stalks in late summer. On the UGA
campus, switch grass is used on banks and areas that are hard to
mow.

Fountain Grasses

Fountain grasses (Pennisetum spp.), with their foxtail
flowers that appear to cascade above the foliage like sprays from
a fountain, are among the most ornamental of all the ornamental
grasses.

Some are annuals and some are perennials. You need to know which
you’re buying so you won’t be disappointed if they don’t come
back the following year.

Crimson fountain grass (Pennisetum macrostachyum) has
burgundy foliage and flowers. It’s a popular bedding plant. Not
reliably hardy throughout most of the state, it’s grown as an
annual bedding plant.

On the other hand, oriental fountain grass (Pennisetum
orientale) is cold-hardy. It’s also one of the most striking
of all the fountain grasses, with glossy, green foliage and
silky, violet-pink, foxtail-like flowers.

Many Uses

The list of ornamental grasses is extensive and the foliage
colors and plant forms diverse. Use them:

• In groups of three, five or seven as foundation plants or in
  perennial borders.
• On slopes and other hard-to-mow areas.
• In patio pots and as nonshedding poolside plants.
• To screen utility boxes or other unsightly features.

For more information on ornamental grasses, contact your county
extension agent or visit this Web site: pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/horticulture/orngrass.html.