Ornamental Wheat Grasses: Bringing Prairie Beauty to Your Garden

When you think of wheat, a backyard garden probably isn't the first setting that comes to mind. Most of us picture vast golden fields stretching across the Great Plains, not a decorative accent beside a patio or flower bed. Yet ornamental grasses have surged in popularity over the past decade, and wheat grasses have earned their place among them.

Consider blue fescue, a staple in ornamental gardens. It's essentially a refined version of a tough pasture grass. Similarly, certain wheat varieties—botanically classified under Agropyron—have transitioned from prairie to garden with striking success. One standout is Big Bluestem (A. gerardii), also called Turkey Feet for its distinctive three-part seed heads. This statuesque grass reaches four to seven feet tall, making a bold vertical statement. In late summer and early autumn, it sends up purple flower spikes that catch the light beautifully.

Designing with Wheat Grasses

Ornamental grasses bring movement, texture, sound, and year-round structure to a landscape. Once established, they're remarkably low-maintenance. They thrive in two key conditions: rich, well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight—ideally full sun.

When planting, dig a hole deep enough so the root ball sits just below ground level. Backfill with compost-enriched soil, water thoroughly, then firm the soil gently before watering again. Weekly watering during the first growing season helps roots establish. A slow-release fertilizer applied each spring keeps growth vigorous.