Cultivars of both native and ornamental grass species are available in the majority of plant nurseries. Little Bluestem grows up to 3 feet tall and a foot in girth. Space each grass about 18 to 24 inches apart to highlight the seed heads. To learn more about native plants, please refer to the page, What is a Native Plant? While some native grass species self-seed freely, non-native grass species that spread too easily are considered invasive to our ecosystem. Hardy Pampas Grass, or Ravenna Grass, makes an excellent specimen plant all year. Northern Oat Grass – 3-4 feet tall grass that produces flat oat seed heads in the fall that make a sound in a breeze. Many gardeners hack ornamental grasses like Pennisetum setaceum into all sorts of curious configurations so that they resemble tumbleweeds. Grows 2-5 ft. tall, it produces large ornamental seed heads that turn from green to bronze in the fall. Big bluestem has an extensive root system that can reach down 10 feet or more. Indian grass is a warm-season, clump-forming grass and is one of North America's most attractive native grasses. Cool season, warm season. Common cultivars: ‘Northwind’, ‘Shenandoah’, ‘Heavy Metal’, *Prairie Dropseed - Sporobolus heterolopsis, Native grass that tolerates a variety of soil types, from heavy clay to dry, rocky soil. Indian grass has leaves that are about 3/8 inch wide and 18 inches long with attenuate tips and glabrous surfaces. Size: 1 – 3 feet. It grows well in full sun, too, but may need supplemental water in periods of drought. Requires full sun. Each flower spike has tiny, bright yellow pollen sacs that stand out in the dark seed heads. Northern Sea Oats  (Chasmanthium latifolium) 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. Learn which size and type of native and ornamental grass varieties are appropriate for your garden. Fluffy fronds. Fish & Wildlife Service. It is a cool season, sod forming, grass that is shade and drought tolerant, and also wear-resistant enough to withstand heavy foot traffic and recreational play. Can demonstrate dominant habit in a meadow, out-competing other species. The deep roots of native grasses stabilize soil, increase water infiltration, and recycle nutrients. REC, Western Maryland Effective when planted en masse or along borders.Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) 'Standing Ovation.' Great to use as a groundcover or along walkways. Native grasses add striking fall color and visual interest well into winter; they provide food, nesting materials and habitat cover for birds; and they serve as host plants for numerous butterfly and moth species, as well. They also provide multi-season interest. ‘Ornamental’ is a term used to describe plants that are propagated and grown primarily for aesthetic, rather than functional qualities. A widely used ornamental grass with tall (3-5 ft.), upright habit. What we Love:  It looks great in all seasons. in length, matures earlier than warm-season grasses. Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) This tough prairie grass is adaptable and tolerant to harsh conditions and poor soils. A tall clumping grass often planted in a seed mix with conservation or right-of-way landscapes. Switchgrasses are native, clump-forming grasses with a strongly upright habit. One of the most common grasses, maiden grass is big, beautiful, and easy to grow. The leaves can be multi colored in late summer, and the panicled seedheads present an airy picture. Because they originated in a particular ecoregion, these species are adapted to growing conditions and have co-evolved with other native species. *Tufted hair grass - Deschampsia cespitosa. Most native ornamental grasses prefer lots of sun and will be tolerant of drought once they’re established. Beloved for its interesting seed heads, this is one of the most ornamental native grasses. Self-seeds and may spread aggressively. Tough soil? However, many species improve their appearance with occasional water during dry periods. What we Love:  It’s a good grass for partial shade. The horizontal eyelash-like chartreuse flowers appear in mid-summer and age to blonde seed heads by fall. Common cultivars: ‘Indian Steel’, ‘Sioux Blue’. Spring foliage starts out blue-green, slowly turns green, and changes gradually to reddish bronze in the fall. Adaptable to a variety of soils; best used as habitat or conservation restoration as they are quite tall for the home landscape. Native Grasses – from Short to Tall – The Native Plant Herald Grows in average to wet soils and is one of the more shade-tolerant grasses. Liriope. Takes several years to reach a mature height of 6-8 ft. Because they originated in a particular ecoregion, these species are adapted to growing conditions and have co-evolved with other native species. May be considered too tall for the landscape. While some native grass species self-seed freely, non-native grass species that spread too easily are considered. Happy in just about any, average soil. Grasses that mature early in the growing season and grow while the soil is still cool are referred to as “cool season” grasses. They form light, airy panicles of silvery-red bloom in late summer and adapt well to poor soil once established. The term ‘native’ refers to a plant species that occurs naturally in an ecoregion and habitat over the course of evolutionary time. Lime green in the summer, the seedheads mature to a golden bronze. Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra' or Japanese blood grass is a colorful red, … Common cultivars: ‘Elijah Blue’, ‘Blue Whiskers’, ‘Beyond Blue’, Foerster’s Feather Reed Grass - Calamogrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, A widely used ornamental grass with tall (3-5 ft.), upright habit. Very adaptable, it thrives in sun or shade, while the bobbing flat seedheads add interest, giving the plant its nickname: “fish on a line.” (They do look like little fish!) It is on the smaller side and a good choice for shade. And fantastic color and texture in fall. Chinese silvergrass - Miscanthus sinensis, Fountaingrass - Pennisetum alopecuroides (also known as Cenchrus alopecuroides), Chinese fountaingrass - Pennisetum purpurascens (also known as Cenchrus purpurascens), Hardy Pampas grass - Saccharum ravennae (formerly known as Erianthus ravennae), Japanese bloodgrass - Imperata cylindrica, Steely blue color in summer, red-orange color in fall, Low grass with airy clouds of purple seed, Large ornamental seed heads; spreads aggressively, Shade and drought tolerant; woodland gardens, Attractive purple foliage and large seed head, Tall, upright habit; yellow-orange plumes in fall, * M=Mountain, P=Piedmont, C=Coast (Learn what region you are in: http://www.nativeplantcenter.net/glossary/), Author: Mikaela Boley, Senior Agent Associate in Home Horticulture, University of Maryland Extension, 2/2020, Understand the term “native” versus “ornamental.”. Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) This warm season grass can be incorporated easily into mixed borders, meadows, and wild gardens. Sedges are also cool season growers. These have been identified to be the lowest maintenance and the most ornamental of their respective groups.