Best Ornamental Grasses

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Best 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
	Cymbopogon citratus lemon grass Ornamental grass Sun: Full sun Water: Medium Height: 2.00 to 4.00 feet
	Melinus nerviglumus 'Savannah' ruby grass Ornamental grass Sun: Full sun Water: Medium Height: 0.50 to 1.50 feet
	Melinis nerviglumis 'Pink Crystals' ruby grass Ornamental grass Sun: Full sun Water: Medium Height: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
	Pennisetum purpureum 'Prince' elephant grass Annual Sun: Full sun Water: Medium Height: 4.00 to 6.00 feet
	Pennisetum 'First Knight' fountain grass Ornamental grass Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Height: 4.00 to 5.00 feet
	Pennisetum setaceum 'Fireworks' fountain grass Ornamental grass Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet
Perennials
	Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition' blue grama Ornamental grass Sun: Full sun Water: Dry to medium Height: 0.75 to 2.50 feet
	Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Avalanche' feather reed grass Ornamental grass Sun: Full sun Water: Medium to wet Height: 3.00 to 5.00 feet
	Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' feather reed grass Ornamental grass Sun: Full sun Water: Medium to wet Height: 3.00 to 5.00 feet
	Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Overdam' feather reed grass Ornamental grass Sun: Full sun Water: Medium to wet Height: 2.50 to 3.00 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 fee