The varieties we carry are not aggressive spreaders (known as garden thugs!). You'll find the habit noted for each variety (ex. clump forming or spreading) but know that varieties that do spread can be contained if spreading isn't desired. Yes! Site them to meet their sun requirements, help them get established in their first season and give taller varieties a season or two to reach their full potential. Over time, some seasonal clean-up may be needed, but those recommendations are noted on each ornamental grass variety in our plant care section.

May 24, 2006 - Looking for the perfect gift? Send a Houzz Gift Card! Explore DiscussionsFeatured Home DiscussionsFeatured Garden Discussions ... My dad is interested in planting perennial ornamental grasses under a maple tree. I think Japanese forest grass might work, but I am not sure if they are hardy enough for a 5a zone.

Carex (Sedge) - the toughest of the shade ornamental grasses · Chasmanthium (Northern Sea Oats) – native variegated varieties of ornamental grasses · Most ornamental grasses are well suited for part sun to sun.

March 26, 2010 - Hilaria belangeri (curly-mesquite) would be the perfect grass for your purpose, but like Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss) and Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama) it thrives only in full sun. Here are some suggestions for shade and part shade grasses.

August 12, 2025 - A mounding fountain of ribbon-like white-striped green foliage adds wonderful texture to any dappled sun or shade garden. Forms a neat mound of foliage that arches up from the crown and weeps gracefully. Full shade to partial sun. Up to 15" tall, 24" wide. Zones 5-9. As mentioned, ornamental grasses can serve as privacy screens or tall focal points in your landscape.

October 15, 2025 - This ornamental grass adds a striking deep red colour to any garden, especially those with partial shade that need something to make it pop. Its ability to thrive in both full sun and partial shade makes it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to brighten up north-facing gardens or any positions that don’t receive much sun.

March 10, 2025 - Another ideal option for cool seasons and climates, fine fescue is a fine-textured grass that tolerates low-light conditions well. Fine fescue is a blend of several shade-tolerant grasses, including creeping red fescue, chewings fescue, and ...

October 5, 2025 - While many ornamental grasses prefer full sun, there are some varieties that can grow well in full or partial shade, including Japanese Sedge, Liriope and Shenandoah Switchgrass.

June 26, 2025 - There's a superb range of ornamental grass varieties to grow, with compact types ideal for pots and raised beds, tall slender ones for use as screens or adding strong vertical elements in borders, and moisture-loving grasses for pond edges and boggy soil. While the different types have different growing requirements, most do best in a fertile soil in sun or part shade...

Our bright and colorful grasses come in a variety of shapes and hues, ideal for filling bare spots, creating prairies, or adding texture around your home. Standing ovation grass offers a fall color change that goes with everything, while graceful ...

July 11, 2004 - Varieties of ornamental grasses. Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln') * Hardy in USDA zones 5-9 * Grows 12-24" * Full to partial sun * Prefers moist, well drained soil * Propagate by division or seed * Pinkish white flowers in late summer Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus) * Hardy in USDA zones 6-10 * Grows 6-12" * Full to partial shade * Prefers slightly acid soil (pH 5.5-6.5) * Propagate by division or seed * Light violet colored flowers in spring.

May 16, 2024 - Phalaris arundinacea ‘Feesey’s Form’, Feesey’s ribbon grass ... Stenotaphrum secundatum ‘Variegatum’, Variegated St. Augustinegrass (light shade)

It grows to 3 or 4 feet in height and can thrive in full sun or light shade. 'Northern Lights' is a variegated variety with cream, gold, and pink coloration that doesn't bloom. It's also hardy up to 12,000 feet in elevation. Many gardeners have yet to explore the beauty and versatility of ornamental grasses. Here are a few ideas for incorporating them into your garden, along with some additional varieties to consider:

October 1, 2025 - While many ornamental grasses prefer full sun, some varieties thrive in partial shade. For example, All Gold Japanese Forest Grass and Ice Dance Japanese Sedge are excellent choices for areas that receive a mix of partial sun and partial shade ...

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September 16, 2025 - Choose a bigger selection to add height, wildlife habitat, and that wow factor to shade designs in need of delicate movement from swaying stems. ... This clump-forming grass has fine semievergreen foliage and a soft, airy form. ‘Goldtau’ develops chartreuse-yellow flower heads that emerge in early summer, mature to bronze, and remain attractive into winter.

February 22, 2024 - I have sown shade tolerant grass from the big box stores that has not done well. Some one has suggested sprinkling the bare spots with perennial ryegrass or a fescue. thank you. ... Unfortunately, you are not going to like my answer… A lot of gardening issues are resolved by using “the right plant in the right place.” In your case, the vinca (myrtle) and hostas were probably the right plant for that place.

April 5, 2022 - Certain St. Aug cultivars (Palmetto, Seville) and Zoysia cultivars (Zeon, Zorro) are better at surviving shade than, say, bermuda. However, these warm season types still like ~4 hours of direct sun per day.

February 29, 2024 - This 3’x3′ beauty is a must-have for a drought-tolerant garden. The delicate ‘eyelashes’ (or ‘mustaches,’ as my daughter says) wave in the wind on long, thin stems. In spring through summer, the grass is a blue-green color, slowly turning tan (or ‘blonde’) as fall approaches. It’s stunning, literally glowing across the garden when backlit by the afternoon sun. So many grasses turn shades of gold in the fall, making the red tones of ‘Hameln’ extra special.