Best Ornamental Grasses for Part Sun (3-4 Hours) Under 5 Feet

A gardener wants ornamental grasses for 3-4 hours of sun, under 5 ft, to complement red sedge grass.

Top Picks for Part Shade

• Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (Japanese Forest Grass) – 12-18", gold-striped, cascading. Best shade grass.
• Carex oshimensis 'Evergold' / 'Ice Dance' – 12", variegated sedges. Evergreen.
• Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern Sea Oats) – 2-3 ft, bamboo-like, flat seed heads. Self-sows.
• Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Kitten' / 'Adagio' – 3-4 ft, fine texture, fall plumes. Needs more sun for best bloom.
• Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' / 'Cheyenne Sky' – 3-4 ft, red-tipped foliage, airy panicles.
• Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' – 4-5 ft, upright, early plumes. Tolerates part shade.
• Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldtau' (Tufted Hair Grass) – 2-3 ft, cloud-like seed heads.

Sources

Shady Oaks Nursery (specializes in hostas & grasses), Bluestone Perennials, White Flower Farm, Wayside Gardens, Hoffman Nursery (wholesale/retail).

Design Tip

Mix textures: fine (Hakonechloa), bold (Miscanthus), airy (Deschampsia). Repeat in drifts.