Ornamental Grasses: Movement, Texture, and Ecology in the Landscape

Ornamental grasses come in many varieties. When native and planted in correct microclimates, they're remarkably low-maintenance. Beyond groundcover and interesting shapes, they add movement and sound in wind. Visit your local botanical garden and independent nursery for recommended varieties.

Rhythmic Planting

Mexican feather grasses at regular intervals create low amber waves beside a patio.

Composition and Lawn Replacement

Bunny Tail grasses mixed with Kangaroo Paw—pure compositional joy. Grasses replacing a traditional front lawn is eco-friendly: fertilizer runoff from lawns is a major non-point pollution source.

Vernacular Meets Modern

Mexican feather grass poking from a crisp rectangle cut into decking—clever move setting the tone for a modern barn-inspired building.

Planters for Structure

Planters scale grasses to create strong lines and screens separating outdoor rooms. Grasslike sedges in planters contrast straight lines while adding vertical punctuation.

Geometry and Color

Rounded mounds and unexpected silver-green: Festuca 'Elijah Blue' foreground, Blue Oat Grass and Berkeley sedge beyond a gravel oval. A container of grasses creates a great aerial view.

Connecting to Surroundings

Marsh grasses inspire a plant palette connecting built landscape to natural surroundings.

Height and Drama

Tall feather reed grasses add height and color without a blade of traditional lawn. Mexican feather grass chosen for architectural simplicity and easy maintenance.

Meadow Integration

The built landscape nestles into undulating grasses and wildflowers. Big wild grasses beyond a low stone wall increase drama—the wall appears as the only barrier between patio and plant takeover.

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