The term ornamental grass is used to include not only true grasses (Poaceae) but close relatives such as sedges (Cyperaceae), rushes (Juncaceae), hardy bamboos (particularly the genus Phyllostachys) and others. This fact sheet presents ornamental grasses and grass-like plants adapted to Oklahoma. Listings are for USDA hardiness zones 6-8. Some popular tender grasses, grown as annuals, also are listed.

• Grasses are adaptable and can grow in poorer soils better than many other garden plants.
• Grasses require little effort to maintain once established.
• Grasses come in many heights, colors, textures and have varying water requirements.
• Grass seed heads and foliage add fall and winter interest.
• Dried grasses have many decorative uses indoors and out.
• Grasses can be used as groundcovers, specimen plants, for erosion control and as vertical design elements.

Figure 1. Ornamental grasses grown in a landscape bed at the Botanic Garden at OSU.

Ornamental grasses and grass-like plants can add a great deal of value to the landscape. Many are easy to grow and have very few pest problems. They have unique form and texture compared to many other landscape plants and provide year-round interest. In addition to the form, texture and colors that many species offer, they also provide movement as they sway back and forth in the gentlest of breezes.

Our Oklahoma native species are considered essential members of the short and tall grass prairies and the crosstimber areas that make up much of Oklahoma. Native species therefore work well in wildflower and prairie gardens and some woodland settings. Native species attract wildlife to the garden. Birds use leaf blades for nesting and seed of some grass species provide food. 

Oklahoma's unique climate and ecoregions provide many opportunities and choices when it comes to grasses and their grass-like relatives. When selecting ornamental grasses consider their function in the landscape. Depending on the species they may be used for an accent, erosion control, as a groundcover, to attract wildlife, as a screen and even as lawn substitutes. Native sedges are finding increased use as lawn alternatives that need much less water, spraying, feeding and mowing. Many of our shortgrass prairie species can be used for lawns too like buffalograss and grama grasses. Many species work well in containers or as part of a container arrangement. There is a tremendous range in sizes from small, petite grasses that only grow a few inches high to large grasses that can reach up to 14 feet. Most grasses are perennial, though there are several annuals as well as tender perennials used as annuals in Oklahoma. Grasses come in a wide variety of color other than green. There are yellow or golden varieties, red to pink, blue to purple and variegated forms. Grasses that go dormant in winter turn natural colors such as brown, tan, and gray, which provide color and interest during the winter months.

Culture and Maintenance

Ornamental grasses can be planted just about any time of year (particularly containerized specimens); however, for establishment purposes cool-season grasses are best planted in the late summer and fall and warm-season grasses in late spring and early summer. Supplemental watering may be necessary the first season after planting.

Beds should be free of unwanted and aggressive weeds like bermudagrass. While there are organic methods to controlling bermudagrass among ornamental grasses, most require diligent, extensive labor. The use of herbicides is generally needed and may need several applications to get complete control. Getting control of existing weeds prior to planting is much easier than controlling them after ornamentals are planted.

Most grasses prefer full sun; a handful of species prefer or tolerate part sun while others need to be in semi-shady areas due the late afternoon sun and heat. Species or cultivars with red or purple foliage will have more vivid color if grown in full sun and may turn green in shade.

Water according to species' needs. Some require very little water once established. Consider watering in winter during long dry periods (more than four weeks without 1 inch of precipitation); water prior to freezing temperatures.

Spacing of grasses is determined on the desired effect of the planting. A general rule for spacing is equal to the mature height of the plant (plants 2 feet tall are spaced 2 feet apart). If the plants are being used as specimens, they can be planted further apart. Species used for groundcovers, screens, or hedges or that spread horizontally can be spaced based on mature widths. Some plants create thick clumps of grass blades coming from the base of the plant and will often stay in that one place but gradually increase in diameter. Other grasses, however, spread through rhizomes and/or stolons, spreading horizontally more quickly.

Grasses are easily propagated through division (digging the plant and cutting it into smaller sections, each with stem and roots). Hybrids or named cultivars can only be propagated by division as they will not come true from seed. Some cultivars produce sterile seed and must also be propagated by division. Seed propagation is often used with native grasses for prairie restoration or for planting large areas. Note that patented selections are illegal to propagate without a licensing and/or royalty agreement.

Division may be needed if the plant has poor vigor and/or is declining, or if more plants are needed. Most grasses benefit from spring division. Large mature grasses may need division when the center of the plant is dead, this is particularly common on clump forming grasses. Digging and cutting large specimens usually require considerable manual labor. When appropriate, mechanical equipment such as a backhoe and a saws-all will save a lot of time and effort. Ornamental grasses are very tough and can handle a lot of abuse during the division process. However, it is important when physically cutting a plant apart to ensure each new division has some roots and crown of the original plant. Depending on the size of the plant and the desired size of the divisions, the original can often be divided into halves or quarters. 

Most ornamental grasses need to be cut back each year. The best time to cut them back is late winter or early spring just before new growth begins. If not cut back, the plant may look unattractive with dead material among the new leaves. Manually cutting grasses back can be done easily with a pair of hedge sheers for small areas (electric hedge trimmers make the job even easier). Many species have serrated leaf margins, so gloves may be necessary to protect your hands. If permitted, large areas may be burned. This may require permits and should be done under close supervision. While cutting grasses back can make a lot of garden debris to remove from the landscape, the material can also be utilized in the landscape or vegetable garden, as straw mulch, in paths, or simply add it to the compost pile.

Soil

Most ornamental grasses will grow in a wide range of soils with a pH range of 5.0 to 8.0. Well-established grasses rarely need fertilization or irrigation except in extreme cases such as drought or very sandy soils. Overfertilization of grasses, especially with fertilizers high in nitrogen, and overwatering, can lead to weak stems resulting in lodging (grasses flopping over). Native grasses prefer unamended soils; rich soils tend to make plants weak and flop over.

Pests

Ornamental grasses have few pest problems. Weeds are generally the biggest problem and are controlled through hand weeding or spot treatments of a contact herbicide for persistent weeds. Care should be taken when applying herbicides to avoid damaging the ornamental grasses as well as other desirable plants in the area. Be sure to choose a product that is listed to control the types of weeds you are dealing with and in the site that they are growing.

Grasses and Grass-like plants for Different Landscape Needs

Grasses and grass-like plants recommended in the next sections are merely examples of what grows well in Oklahoma. Lists provided are not comprehensive but are to assist the homeowner in working with their local horticulturists and professionals. Some plants mentioned may not be suited for all landscape situations but are intended to fill specific needs in the landscape. Sometimes a compromise in plant selection may be necessary for the specific purpose to be realized. 

Plants for Water Gardens, Rain Gardens, Standing Water, and Bogs

Acorus spp., sweet flag
Carex spp., sedge
Chasmanthium latifolium, northern sea oats
Elymus hystrix, eastern bottlebrush
Juncus effusus, common rush
Leymus arenarius, blue lymegrass
Miscanthus 'Purpurascens', red flame miscanthus
Miscanthus sacchariflorus, silver banner grass
Panicum virgatum, switch grass
Phalaris arundinacea, reed canary grass
Spartina pectinata, cordgrass
Spartina pectinata 'Aureomarginata', variegated cordgrass

Plants for Shady Locations

Acorus gramineus, Japanese or grassy-leaved sweet flag

Andropogon gerardii, big bluestem

Andropogon glomeratus, bushy bluestem
Andropogon ternarius, split beard bluestem
Calamagrostis arundinacea var. brachytricha, fall-blooming reed grass
Carex spp., most sedges
Chasmanthium latifolium, northern sea oats
Cyperus spp., papyrus or paper plant
Elymus hystrix, eastern bottlebrush
Equisetum hyemale, scouringrush or horsetailrush
Erianthus contortus, bent awn plume grass
Festuca glauca, blue fescue (light shade)
Hakonechloa macra cultivars, 
Imperata brevifolia, satintail
Juncus spp., rushes
Luzula spp., woodrush
Molinia caerulea subsp. caerulea 'Variegata', variegated moor grass
Panicum virgatum, switch grass
Pennisetum spp., fountain grass (light shade)
Phalaris arundinacea 'Picta', ribbon grass
Phalaris arundinacea var. luteo-picta, yellow ribbon grass
Phalaris arundinacea 'Feesey's Form', Feesey's ribbon grass
Setaria palmifolia, palm grass
Spartina pectinata 'Aureomarginata', golden-edged prairie 
cord grass
Spodiopogon sibiricus, frost grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum 'Variegatum', Variegated St. Augustinegrass (light shade)
Sisyrinchium angustifolium, narrow-leaf blue-eyed-grass
Tripsacum dactyloides, eastern gamagrass
Zoysia spp., zoysiagrass (light shade)

Plants for Dry Shade

Carex leavenworthii, leavenworth's sedge

Carex pensylvanica, Pennsylvania sedge

Erianthus contortus, bent-awn plumegrass
Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue', Elijah Blue fescue (light shade)
Festuca spp., fescue, (light shade)
Helictotrichon sempervirens, blue oat grass (light shade)
Liriope spp., lilyturf
Ophiopogon spp., mondograss
Panicum virgatum, switch grass
Pennisetum spp., fountain grass (light shade
Phalaris arundinacea, 'Picta', ribbon grass
Phalaris arundinacea var. luteo-picta, yellow ribbon grass
Phalaris arundinacea 'Feesey's Form', Feesey's ribbon grass
Phormium tenax, New Zealand flax
Tridens flavus, purpletop

Plants for Containers

Acorus calamus 'Variegatus', variegated sweet flag

Acorus gramineus 'Ogon', golden variegated sweet flag

Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Overdam', Overdam feather reed grass
Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Avalanche', Avalanche feather reed grass
Carex spp. and cultivars, sedges
Chasmanthium latifolium, northern sea oats
Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue', Elijah Blue fescue
Hakonechloa spp. and cultivars, Japanese forest grass
Helictotrichon sempervirens, blue oat grass
Imperata 'Red Baron', bloodgrass
Melinus nerviglumis 'Pink Crystals', ruby grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegata', variegated miscanthus
Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus 'Caberet', Caberet miscanthus
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny', dwarf fountain grass
Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Majesty', Purple Majesty millet
Pennisteum setaceum, crimson fountain grass 
Pennisteum setaceum 'Rubrum', purple fountain grass

Plants for Screens

Screens over 5' tall:

Andropogon gerardii, big bluestem

Cortaderia selloana, pampas grass (not as cold hardy in northern OK)

Miscanthus spp. and cultivars, maidenhair grass
Panicum virgatum cultivars, switch grass
Sorghastrum nutans 'Sioux Blue', Indian grass

See-through screens:

Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea 'Skyracer', purple moore grass
Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea 'Transparent', purple moore grass
Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea 'Windspiel', purple moore grass

Screens 4-5' tall:

Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster', feather reed grass
Mischanthus sinensis 'Graziella', maidenhair grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Klein Fontane', maidenhair grass
Panicum virgatum 'Northwind', switch grass
Spodiopogon sibiricus, silver spikegrass

Plants for Erosion Control

Andropogon ternarius, split beard bluestem

Carex flacca, blue sedge

Eragrostis trichodes, sand lovegrass
Leymus arenarius, blue lymegrass
Liriope spp., lilyturf
Miscanthus sacchariflorus, silver banner grass
Molinia caerulea, purple moor grass
Phalaris arundinacea, ribbon grass
Sorghastrum nutans, Indian grass
Spartina pectinata, cordgrass

Plants that Self-seed

Andropogon spp., bluestem

Bouteloua hirsuta, hairy grama grass

Carex spp. (some), sedges
Chasmanthium latifolium, northern sea oats
Eragrostis spectabilis, purple lovegrass
Eragrostis trichodes, sand lovegrass
Festuca spp., blue fescue
Elymus hystrix, eastern bottlebrush
Melinis nerviglumis, ruby grass (annual)
Miscanthus sinensis cultivars, maiden grass: two or more cultivars can cross-pollinate and set seed
Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea, tall purple moorgrass
Nasella tenuissima, Mexican feather grass
Panicum virgatum, switchgrass
Pennisetum alopecuroides, fountain grass
Elymus canadensis, Canada wildrye
Schizachyrium scoparium, little bluestem
Sorghastrum nutans, Indian grass
Sporobolus heterolepis, prairie drop seed
Tripsacum dactyloides, eastern gamagrass

Plants for Hot and Dry Locations

Andropogon gerardii, big bluestem

Bouteloua curtipendula, side oats grama

Bouteloua gracilis, blue grama
Carex, sedges (certain spp.)
Elymus hystrix, bottlebrush grass
Eragrostis spp., lovegrass
Festuca glauca, blue fescue, most cultivars
Helictotrichon sempervirens, blue oat grass
Helictotrichon sempervirens 'Saphiresprudel', Saphiresprudel oat grass
Hordeum jubatum, foxtail barley, squirrel-tail grass
Imperata 'Red Baron', bloodgrass
Leymus arenarius, blue lyme grass
Melinis nerviglumis, ruby grass (annual)
Muhlenbergia capillaris 'Lenca', Regal MistTM, pink muhly
Nassella tenuissima, Mexican feathergrass
Panicum virgatum, switch grass
Pennisetum orientale, oriental fountain grass (annual)
Pennisteum setaceum, fountain grass (annual)
Pennisetum villosum, feathertop (annual)
Phalaris arundinacea 'Picta', ribbon grass, reed canary grass
Tridens flavus, purpletop

Plants for Prairie Restoration

Andropogon gerardii*, big bluestem; moderately to wet soils

Bouteloua curtipendula, side oats grama; dry to moderately moist soils

Bouteloua gracilis, blue grama; dry soil
Buchloe dactyloides, buffalograss; dry soil
Elymus canadensis, Canada wildrye; moderately moist soil
Koeleria macrantha, june grass; dry to moderately moist soils
Panicum virgatum*, switchgrass; wet to moderately moist soils
Schizachyrium scoparium*, little bluestem; dry to moderately moist soils
Sorghastrum nutans*, Indian grass; moderately moist soil
Spartina pectinata, cord grass; wet to moderately moist soils
Sporobolus heterolepis, prairie dropseed; dry soil
Tripsacum dactyloides, eastern gamagrass
*Dominant in the Tall Grass Prairie

Alternative Plants for Lawn Grasses in Sunny Locations

Bouteloua curtipendula, side oats grama; 1-2'

Bouteloua gracilis, blue grama; 12-18"

Buchloe dactyloides, buffalograss; 6-12"
Carex pensylvanica, sun sedge; 12-18"
Carex flacca, blue sedge; 6-18"
Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue', blue fescue; 6-12"
Koeleria macrantha, June grass; 12"
Sporobolus heterolepis, prairie dropseed; 2-3' 

Alternative Plants for Lawn Grasses in Shady Locations

Carex spp., most sedges; 6"–2'

Hakonechloa macra, hakone grass; 6-18"

Hakonechloa macra 'Albo-Striata', striped hakone grass; 6-12"
Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola', golden hakone grass; 6-12"

Plants with Fall Color* and Winter Interest

Andropogon gerardii, big bluestem 'Blackhawks'- deep purple in fall, 'Red October' – deep red in fall

Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster', feather reed grass - tan foliage, upright form

Calamagrostis brachytricha, fall blooming reed grass - pink- green fall flowers, tan foliage
Chasmanthium latifolium, northern sea oats - yellow fall color, brown seedheads last all winter
Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue', Elijah Blue fescue - almost evergreen
Helictotrichon sempervirens, blue oat grass - almost evergreen
Miscanthus x 'Giganteus', giant miscanthus - tan foliage, winter sound and movement
Miscanthus sinensis, most cultivars - yellow or orange fall color, showy flowers in fall and all winter, usually upright in 
winter; 'Autumn Light', 'Gracillimus', and 'Morning Light' are the stiffest cultivars
Miscanthus sacchariflorus, silver banner grass - good orange fall color, showy white flowers fall apart in December
Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea, 'Skyracer', and 'Windspiel', tall purple moorgrass - all tall cultivars are similar in fall: yellow stems and foliage, usually become prostrate with snow
Panicum virgatum, switchgrass - tan foliage, upright form in winter
Schizachyrium scoparium, little bluestem - orange fall and winter color, silvery fall flowers
Sorghastrum nutans, Indian grass - yellow and orange fall color, upright attractive flowers in winter
Spartina pectinata, cordgrass - yellow fall color
Spartina pectinata 'Aureomarginata', variegated cordgrass - yellow fall color
Spodiopogon sibiricus, silver spike grass - orange, red and bronze fall color; prostrate in winter
Sporobolus heterolepis, prairie dropseed - orange fall color
*Fall color can wane in winter months. See tables for additional cultivar listings.

Table 1. Perennial Grasses:

Table 1. Perennial Grasses:

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Table 1. Perennial Grasses:

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Table 1. Perennial Grasses:

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Table 1. Perennial Grasses:

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Table 2. Annual or Tender Perennial Grasses:

Table 2. Annual or Tender Perennial Grasses:

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Table 3. Grass-Like Species:

Table 3. Grass-Like Species:

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Table 3. Grass-Like Species:

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Table 4. Miscanthus Species/Cultivar List

Table 4. Miscanthus Species/Cultivar List 

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Table 4. Miscanthus Species/Cultivar List 

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* Miscanthus trials have indicated that cultivars marked with an asterisk are the better cultivars for being sterile or less weedy in nature.

Table 5. Carex Species and Cultivars

Table 5. Carex Species and Cultivars 

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Table 5. Carex Species and Cultivars 

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Table 6. Bamboo Species:

Running types require forethought and ultimately neoprene or concrete barriers. The consumer would be best served by mainly limiting bamboo selections to the clumper/clumping types; green industry professionals can help with environmentally appropriate bamboo species.

Table 6. Bamboo Species:

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Table 6. Bamboo Species:

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Table 6. Bamboo Species:

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Resources:

• The Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses, John Greenlee, Rodale Press.
• Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/plantfinder/plantfindersearch.aspx 
• Oklahoma Native Plants, Connie Scothorn, Brian Patric, The Roadrunner Press.
• Ornamental Grasses – 7.232, Colorado State University Extension
• Ornamental Grasses for Cold Climates, M. Hockenberry Meyer, Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota
• Ornamental Grasses, Bamboos, Rushes & Sedges, Nigel Taylor