Southern Ornamental Grass

Short Ornamental Grasses

• Short ornamental grass can serve as an effective, striking ground cover, border, accent plant or to soften container or planter edges. Some examples of small ornamental grasses suitable for Southern climates include miniature fountain grass, some varieties of ribbon grass, coastal bluestem, short switchgrasses, little bluestem, mountain oats, hairgrass and certain fescues.

Medium Ornamental Grasses

• Medium-sized ornamental grasses can be used effectively as accent plants, to divide sections or to provide a degree of wind protection. Grasses that reach heights about 4 or 5 feet in the Southern United States include some pampas varieties, lemongrass, fountain grasses, certain Japanese sliver grass and silver grass varieties and zebra grass. Grasses; such as bamboo muhly, big bluestem, switchgrass and sea oats; are medium-sized ornamentals native to parts of the Southern U.S.

Tall Ornamental Grasses

• Use tall ornamental grasses can be used as a strong vertical element that divide sections, fill a transitional zone, create a border or lend fall colors. Examples of fall-growing ornamental grasses include some varieties of pampas grass, zebra grass and vetiver grass. Alamo switchgrass is a native Southern grass that grows 5 to 7 feet. Some maidengrass vareiteis grows up to 8 feet tall. Silver feathergrass is a clumping grass with silver plumes that can reach 6 to 9 feet. Big bluestem, giant reedgrass and sea oats can also be grown as a tall grass in areas throughout the South.

Characteristics to Consider

• In addition to the major considerations of use and height there are several other factors influencing the decision to plant a certain ornamental grass. Some grasses may be annual while others are perennial. Grasses can be evergreen and warm or cool season. Grasses also differ in growth form, flowering timing, shape and color, winter color and form, native or nonnative status and invasive potential.

Caring for Ornamental Grasses

• Ornamental grasses, relative to other ornamental plants, generally require little care once established. For most species, irrigation is only necessary during periods of extreme drought, little or no fertilization is required and plants can be easily pruned and divided in late winter or early spring.