Ornamental grasses are one of the most beautiful additions to any garden or landscaping project. They add texture, movement, and a touch of elegance to outdoor spaces. While many different types of ornamental grasses exist, this article will focus on the ten best short varieties perfect for smaller gardens or adding accents to larger landscapes. Whether you are looking for a pop of color, interesting foliage, or graceful sway, these grasses will enhance your outdoor space’s beauty.
10 Best Short Ornamental Grass Varieties
Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)
This compact grass is characterized by its fine, needle-like blue-gray foliage, adding elegance and beauty to any garden or landscape. Blue Fescue is a low-maintenance grass that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Blue Fescue grows to about 6 to 12 inches, making it an ideal choice for borders, rock gardens, or as a ground cover. Its compact size and attractive blue color make it a popular option for adding texture and contrast to garden beds. In addition, Blue Fescue is drought-tolerant, making it a great option for dry climates.
Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)
Japanese Forest Grass, scientifically known as Hakonechloa macra. This grass is known for its graceful, arching foliage that resembles cascading water. It adds a sense of tranquility and beauty to any garden or landscape. Japanese Forest Grass grows to a height of about 12 to 18 inches, making it perfect for borders, woodland gardens, or as a ground cover.
It grows well in partial shade or filtered sunlight and prefers moist, well-drained soil. The vibrant green foliage of Japanese Forest Grass adds a pop of color to shady areas, making it a popular option for adding visual interest and softness to the garden.
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a popular choice for those seeking a short ornamental grass variety. With its compact shape and attractive foliage, it adds visual interest to any landscape. The average height of Switchgrass is around 3 to 4 feet, making it an ideal option for smaller gardens as a border plant.
This low-maintenance grass is known for its tolerance to a wide range of soil conditions and its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions. Its narrow leaves turn a beautiful shade of golden brown in the fall, adding warmth and texture to the garden. Switchgrass is also a great choice for providing habitat and food for birds and other small wildlife.
Dwarf Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’)
The Dwarf Fountain Grass, scientifically known as Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln,’ is a fantastic short ornamental grass variety. This grass is characterized by its compact size, attractive arching foliage, and fluffy, bottlebrush-like plumes that emerge in late summer.
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Dwarf Fountain Grass grows to a height of about 2 to 3 feet, making it perfect for borders, containers, or as a focal point in the garden. It grows well in well-drained soil and full sun. The soft, feathery plumes of Dwarf Fountain Grass add texture and movement to the garden, creating a stunning visual display.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a native grass commonly found in prairies and meadows. It grows to a height of around 2 to 4 feet, making it an ideal choice for smaller gardens or as a border plant. Little Bluestem’s slender, upright stems are adorned with delicate blue-green foliage that turns a stunning reddish-orange in the fall. This grass variety is known for its ability to provide year-round interest, as it retains its reddish color throughout winter. Little Bluestem is also highly resilient and can tolerate various soil conditions, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners.
Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima)
Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima) is a graceful and airy ornamental grass that adds a touch of elegance to any garden. It forms compact clumps of fine-textured, emerald-green foliage that sway gracefully in the breeze. Mexican Feather Grass reaches a height of around 1 to 2 feet, making it perfect for borders, rock gardens, or as a groundcover. Feathery golden seed heads emerge in the summer, creating a stunning display. This grass variety is drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping or water-wise gardening.
Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’)
Japanese Silver Grass is a stunning ornamental grass that adds a touch of elegance to any garden. ‘Gracillimus’ is one of the most popular cultivars of Japanese Silver Grass due to its compact size and graceful appearance. Typically, it grows to 4 to 6 feet, making it a perfect choice for adding vertical interest without overwhelming the space. The narrow, silver-green leaves create a soft, feathery texture, and in late summer, the plant produces beautiful plumes that sway gracefully in the breeze.
Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum)
Fountain Grass is a versatile and eye-catching ornamental grass well-suited for formal and informal gardens. It is a relatively short grass, reaching around 2 to 3 feet. One of the most popular cultivars of Fountain Grass is ‘Rubrum,’ which features deep purple-red foliage that adds vibrant color to the landscape. In late summer and early fall, it produces captivating fluffy, bottlebrush-like flowers.
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Fountain Grass is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Fountain Grass is also drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making it an ideal choice for those with busy lifestyles. Whether planted in containers or borders, this versatile grass will surely enhance any outdoor space’s beauty.
Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens)
Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) is a popular ornamental variety due to its short stature and striking blue-gray foliage. With a maximum height of only 2 feet, it is a perfect choice for small gardens or border plantings. This grass is known for its long, slender blades that create a graceful, cascading effect.
In late spring to early summer, it produces tall, narrow flower spikes that add an interesting vertical element to the landscape. Blue Oat Grass is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a beautiful yet fuss-free addition to their garden.
Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis)
Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) is a popular short ornamental grass variety. With its graceful arching blades and feathery plumes, it adds elegance to any garden or landscape. This versatile grass can be used as a focal point or border plant. It is drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance, making it a great choice for busy gardeners. Maiden Grass also provides year-round interest, with its attractive foliage turning golden in the fall. Its compact shape makes it suitable for small spaces or container gardening.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, these 10 best short ornamental grass varieties offer a range of colors, textures, and forms to enhance the beauty of your outdoor space. Whether you prefer compact varieties for smaller gardens or want to add accents to larger landscapes, these grasses will bring visual interest and elegance to your garden. Select the ones based on your preferences and enjoy the beauty they bring to your outdoor environment.
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