Skagit County Master Gardener Foundation

Cultivating plants, people and communities since 1977

Grasses mingle well with perennials and shrubs. These selected varieties offer screening, provide texture or create a relaxing atmosphere. Grasses for different growing conditions provide many options to consider.

Ornamental Grasses Plant List

#Botanical NameCultivarCommon NameTreeNative
1Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'variegated maiden grass
2Muhlenbergia rigensdeergrass
3Festuca glauca 'Elijah Bue'blue fescue
4Stipa tenuissimaMexican feather grass
5Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues'little bluestem
6Phalaris arundinacea 'Strawberries & Cream'ribbon grass*
7Carex flagelliferaweeping New Zealand sedge*
8Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'blue switch grass
9Panicum virgatum 'Rotstrahlbusch'red switch grass
10Miscanthus sinensis 'Rotsilber'Japanese silver grass
11Arundo donaxgiant reed grass
12Molinia caerulea 'Strahlenquelle' (source of rays)purple moor grass
13Carex buchananiired rooster, leatherleaf sedge
14Cornus masCornelian cherry
15Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'zebra grass, porcupine grass
16Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldgehaenge'tufted hair grass, tussock grass
17Chasmanthium latifoliumIndian wood oats, northern sea oats
18Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'golden Japanese forest grass
19Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'red switch grass
20Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron', 'Rubra'Japanese blood grass
21Helictotrichon sempervirensblue oat grass*
22Bergenia cordifolia 'Winter Glow'heartleaf bergenia, pigsqueak
23Bergenia stracheyiHimalayan bergenia, dwarf bergenia