There are countless ornamental grasses to choose from, so narrowing down a list of my favorites is tough. However, the following assortment—categorized by their best season of interest—is a good start. Choosing at least one from each season will ensure that your grass-forward garden always has something spectacular going on.

See more:

Get Four-Season Interest Using Ornamental Grasses in the Landscape

How to Divide Large Overgrown Ornamental Grasses

Let’s Argue About Plants Podcast Episode 147: Great Native Grasses

Spring

Red tussock grass

Chionochloa rubra

Zones: 7–10

Size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

Native Range: New Zealand

Mexican feather grass

Nassella tenuissima

Zones: 7–10

Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

Native range: Texas, New Mexico, Mexico, Argentina

Blue oat grass

Helictotrichon sempervirens

Zones: 4–8

Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 2½ feet wide

Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

Native range: Central and southwestern Europe

‘Campo Azul’ autumn moor grass

Sesleria autumnalis ‘Campo Azul’

Zones: 5–8

Size: 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

Native range: Hybrid

Summer

‘Little Miss’ miscanthus

Miscanthus sinensis* ‘Little Miss’

Zones: 5–9

Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

Native range: Eastern Asia

‘Heavy Metal’ switchgrass

Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’

Zones: 5–9

Size: 4 to 5 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist soil

Native range: North America

Purple miscanthus

Miscanthus ‘Purpurascens’

Zones: 5–9

Size: 4 to 5 feet tall and 2½ to 3 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

Native range: Hybrid

‘Skyracer’ purple moor grass

Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea ‘Skyracer’

Zones: 5–8

Size: 6 to 8 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun; moist soil

Native range: Europe, Asia, northern Africa

Fall

‘Blondo’ miscanthus

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Blondo’

Zones: 4–9

Size: 3 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil

Native range: Eastern Asia

Seep muhly grass

Muhlenbergia reverchonii

Zones: 5–9

Size: 1½ to 2 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun; well-drained

Native range: Central Oklahoma to central Texas

‘Fire Dragon’ miscanthus

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Fire Dragon’

Zones: 5–9

Size: 6 to 7 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

Native range: Eastern Asia

‘Shenandoah’ switchgrass

Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’

Zones: 5–9

Size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist soil

Native range: North America

Winter

Orange sedge

Carex testacea*

Zones: 6–10

Size: 18 to 24 inches tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

Native range: New Zealand

*This is technically not a grass.

Crystal Falls® mondo grass

Ophiopogon jaburan ‘HOCF’

Zones: 6–11

Size: 24 to 30 inches tall and wide

Conditions: Partial to full shade; moist soil

Native range: Japan, Korea

‘Fine China’ sedge

Carex ‘Fine China’

Zones: 5–9

Size: 8 to 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

Native range: Hybrid

*This is technically not a grass.

Giant feather grass

Celtica gigantea

Zones: 5–8

Size: 6 to 8 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil

Native range: Iberian Peninsula, northern Africa

*Invasive Alert: Miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis)

This plant is considered invasive in AL, CT, GA, IN, KY, MD, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, SC, TN, and VA.

Please visit invasiveplantatlas.org for more information.

Susan Calhoun is the owner and principal designer of Plantswoman Design in Bainbridge, Washington. She is also a FineGardening.com regional reporter for the Pacific Northwest.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Wagner's 52003 Classic Blend Wild Bird Food, 6-Pound Bag

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Classic wild bird food uses the highest quality grains to attract backyard wild Birds. A high-quality mix containing Millet, milo, cracked corn and Sunflower for a wide range of wild birds to enjoy. Perfect for tube, hopper, or platform feeders. Great to feed in all seasons! Perfect for the winter, when seeds are scarce; spring and summer for hatchlings; and autumn to give energy to migrating birds. This seed will help you fill your yard with birds such as Jays, cardinals, doves, Juncos, finches, goosebeaks, any many more.

Buy at Amazon

The Regenerative Landscaper: Design and Build Landscapes That Repair the Environment

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

2024 Nautilus Award Gold Medal Winner! This awe-inspiring guide weaves together permaculture design, food resiliency, climate adaptation, community organizing, and indigenous wisdom that you can implement in your own backyard.

Buy at Amazon

Alpine Corporation 28" Tall Outdoor Birdbath with Scrollwork Decoration Yard Statue

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

STUNNING BIRDBATH: Quality birdbath is sure to attract feathered friends and create a charismatic ambiance for your garden, patio, deck, yard, or other outdoor space. SHALLOW SHAPE: Shallow and wide bowl assures that multiple small birds can drink and bathe safely at the same time BEAUTIFUL DESIGN: Luxurious and antique styling adds a touch of elegance to your garden or yard. DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Polypropylene material resists rust and damage from the elements while the sturdy base prevents the birdbath from tipping over. IDEAL SIZE: Birdbath measures 20" L x 20"W x 28"H, the perfect size for your yard, and includes a one-year manufacturer's warranty from date of purchase.

Buy at Taunton Store