Ornamental Grasses are really a popular plant choice in the landscape these days. They require little maintenance, little water and last well into the winter months. Additionally, the gentle movement of the grass swaying in the breeze adds a peaceful element.

A couple of the more popular varieties of grasses are Miscanthus and Calamagrostis. Each is widely used and each is available in numerous different cultivars.

Calamagrostis Karl Foerster might just be the most popular grass. Its golden brown seed heads rise above a thick clump of grass blades. This variety can be found in both residential landscape as well as commercial settings. The seed heads will reach as high as 4’ tall and add a strong vertical form to plants.

Calamagrostis Eldorado is similar in size and shape to Karl Foerster but its leaves are variegated meaning there are multiple shades of green and gold on each blade. This color variation makes it an interesting specimen.

Looking at Miscanthus grasses, the first observation is it is a much larger species. With some varieties reaching as high as 84” it towers over many other grasses and perennials. Miscanthus Variegatus is one of these taller varieties. Its thick dense, variegated blades make it could for massing many plants together.

Red Silver Miscanthus is sorter than Variegatus but no less impressive. In late summer and fall it sports seed plumes with a silvery-red color and a cotton texture. These also are a very dense clump similar to Variegatus.

The grasses discussed here are just scratching the surface of what is available. Because of the ease of maintaining and the desire for low maintenance landscape ornamental grasses will continue to gain popularity in the landscape