Ornamental Grasses

Graceful and fluid, ornamental grasses not only offer year-round appeal, they add a sense of movement and soothing sound to a landscape as well. Beautiful in the spring, summer, and fall, many believe they are at their best when providing seasonal interest and beauty in the winter garden. Ornamental grasses are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they are suitable for specimen plants or can also be used as screens and hedges.  

Below is a list of Missouri Botanical Garden staff favorites for a St. Louis landscape. These have been identified to be the lowest maintenance and the most ornamental of their respective groups. 

Annual

 

Perennial

 

Cymbopogon citratus
lemon grass

Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Height: 2.00 to 4.00 feet

 

Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition'
blue grama

Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Height: 0.75 to 2.50 feet

Melinus nerviglumus 'Savannah'
ruby grass​

Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Height: 0.50 to 1.50 feet

 

Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Avalanche'
feather reed grass 

Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium to wet
Height: 3.00 to 5.00 feet

Melinis nerviglumis 'Pink Crystals'
ruby grass​

Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Height: 1.50 to 2.00 feet

 

Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
feather reed grass 

Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium to wet
Height: 3.00 to 5.00 feet

Pennisetum 'First Knight'
fountain grass

Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 4.00 to 5.00 feet

 

Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Overdam'
feather reed grass 

Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium to wet
Height: 2.50 to 3.00 feet

Pennisetum setaceum 'Fireworks'
fountain grass

Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet

 

Eragrostis spectabilis
purple lovegrass

Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Height: 1.00 to 2.00 feet

   
 

Juncus 'Blue Dart'
rush

Rush

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet

   

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'
Japanese forest grass​

Ornamental grass

Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet

   

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Ginger Love'
fountain grass
Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet

   

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'
fountain grass
Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Height: 1.50 to 2.50 feet

   

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Rocket'
fountain grass
Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 2.50 to 3.00 feet

   

Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues'
little bluestem​
Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Height: 2.00 to 4.00 feet

   

Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation'
little bluestem​
Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Height: 2.00 to 4.00 feet

   

Sporobolus heterolepis
prairie dropseed 
Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet

 
 

Muhlenbergia capillaris
pink muhlygrass​ 
Ornamental grass

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet