Grasses Galore
Discover the beauty and benefits of native ornamental grasses in the landscape. From stunning seasonal colors and graceful movement to supporting wildlife and improving soil health, these adaptable plants bring both style and sustainability to your garden.
Dive Into the World of Grasses!
Ornamental grasses are a powerful design element in any landscape, offering year-round interest, movement, texture, and ecological value. Native grasses provide both aesthetic appeal and environmental benefits. Their versatility allows them to thrive in a wide range of conditions, from full sun prairies to woodland edges and transitional zones. Many species feature dramatic seasonal color shifts, showy seedheads, and upright forms that add vertical structure to garden designs. In addition to their ornamental beauty, these grasses support wildlife by providing food, shelter, and habitat for birds, insects, and pollinators. Their deep root systems improve soil health, prevent erosion, and enhance drought tolerance, making them valuable choices for sustainable and low-maintenance landscapes.
Consider These Favs!
Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’
‘Blackhawks’ is a bold, dark-foliaged cultivar of Big Bluestem bred by Brent Horvath of Intrinsic Perennial Gardens. It stands out for its rich color and early transformation, turning purple-red by August and deepening to near-black by mid-September. Its strong, upright habit and dramatic foliage make it a striking vertical accent. Drought-tolerant and wildlife-friendly, ‘Blackhawks’ adds late-season depth and texture to any sunny garden or meadow planting. Like other Big Bluestems, it is drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and valuable for supporting wildlife, particularly as a host plant for various skipper butterflies.
Andropogon virginicus
Andropogon virginicus is a hardy, clump-forming warm-season grass known for its striking golden-copper fall color and upright straw-like foliage that lasts through winter. Native to the eastern and southern U.S., it thrives in poor soils, making it ideal for restoration and erosion control. Its fibrous roots stabilize soil, while its seeds support wildlife and contribute to native grassland ecosystems.
Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’
A compact, cool-season grass valued for its fine texture, rich green clumps, and delicate golden-yellow flower panicles that float above the foliage from early to mid-summer. Unlike many grasses, it thrives in cooler climates and partial shade, making it ideal for transitional zones between sun and shade. ‘Goldtau’ provides year-round interest, with seed heads that catch light beautifully and foliage that holds its form well into winter. It's also low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and supports biodiversity by offering habitat and shelter for pollinators and small wildlife. Perfect for naturalistic plantings, woodland edges, or moisture-retentive soils.
Panicum ‘Cape Breeze’
‘Cape Breeze’ is a compact switchgrass reaching 24–30" tall, with upright green foliage that stays fresh through fall. Soft pink plumes appear in late summer, maturing into airy seedheads that glow beautifully in sunlight. Ideal for borders or small spaces, it adds texture, movement, and year-round interest. Drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and beneficial for wildlife, ‘Cape Breeze’ is also fire-adapted, with deep roots that ensure its resilience and longevity in managed meadow or restoration plantings. A standout choice for sustainable, low-maintenance landscapes.
Sorghastrum nutans Golden Sunset®
A standout cultivar of Indiangrass, prized for its upright habit, vibrant color, and year-round presence. This clump-forming, warm-season native grows 3–8’ tall and 1–2’ wide, with slender blue-green foliage that turns a glowing golden-yellow to rich copper in fall. Unlike many tall grasses, Golden Sunset® stays reliably upright without flopping, even in heavy rain or snow. Vigorous yet refined, it’s ideal for meadows, pollinator gardens, and naturalized plantings. Its deep roots make it drought-tolerant, and the flowers provide food and shelter for birds and beneficial insects. A tough, beautiful performer that brings height, structure, and seasonal color to the landscape.
In the End…
Incorporating native grasses into the garden is not just a design choice, it’s a commitment to ecological stewardship and long-term landscape resilience. Selections like ‘Blackhawks’, ‘Cape Breeze’, Golden Sunset®, and ‘Goldtau’ offer unique combinations of beauty and adaptability, fitting seamlessly into both formal and naturalistic settings. Whether planted in drifts, used as accents, or integrated into meadows and restoration projects, these grasses enrich the landscape with movement, seasonal transitions, and valuable habitat. Their ability to withstand tough conditions while contributing to biodiversity makes them indispensable in modern planting design. With thoughtful placement and minimal upkeep, native ornamental grasses can transform any space into a dynamic, ecologically functional landscape.
