7 Ways to Use Ornamental Grasses in Garden Design

1. Soften Pathways & Hardscapes

One of the easiest, most logical ways to incorporate ornamental grasses into a new or existing landscape is to bring them right up against pathways, patios, and exterior walls. The softer textures of grasses provides a good visual contrast to harder materials like stone and concrete.

2. Tucked into Drought-Tolerant, Pacific Northwest Gardens

The deep roots and fine textures of ornamental grasses give them a real advantage when it comes to drought-tolerant landscapes. Once established, so many varieties of ornamental grasses thrive with minimal water, making them must-have plants for low-maintenance, water-wise gardens.

Drought-tolerant gardens are spaces that should be intentionally designed to use less water, and one excellent way to do that is by following a classic Pacific Northwest Design aesthetic, incorporating boulders and dry creek beds to add visual interest without increasing the need for water. Planting ornamental grasses next to these more rugged hardscaping elements will make the space look natural and will also reduce the need to water the grasses, as the stone provides natural protection from hot, baking sun and reduces evapotranspiration. This style is a natural fit for front landscapes that aim to reduce or remove lawns altogether, and for coastal gardens.

Varieties of ornamental grasses that are drought-tolerant include Blue Fescue, Blue Oat Grass, Fountain Grasses, Leatherleaf and Narrowleaf Sedges, Little Bluestem, Mexican Feather Grass, Muhly Grass, Northern Sea Oats, and Pampas Grass. Visit our blog for more information on how to design a drought-tolerant landscape, and download our Pacific Northwest Design Guide.

3. Alongside Perennials & Bulbs in Bohemian Gardens

If you love grasses for the way they facilitate a relaxed, easygoing aesthetic, lean into a Bohemian landscape design approach. Here, ornamental grasses are planted right alongside perennials, bulbs, and even larger shrubs for a free-flowing and layered Bohemian aesthetic. This is a dense planting style where grasses grow right up against plants of varying textures, heights, and types to create a modern meadow.

The best way to plant grasses in Bohemian, modern meadows is by co-planting them with Spring flowering bulbs like Tulips and Narcissus. Spring-flowering bulbs fill the critical spaces that grasses occupy when herbaceous grasses are cut back in early Spring, and later the grass growth will neatly hide fading bulb foliage. This approach allows the garden to stay consistently full while shifting with the seasons.

When selecting grasses for a Bohemian look, choose varieties with attractive flowers that range from feathery tassels to fluffy plumes, which will add interest in the garden and also make stunning fresh or dried cut flowers. Grasses with attractive flower plumes include Fountain Grass, Maiden Grass, Millet, Muhly Grass, Sea Oats Grass, and Switchgrass. For more suggestions and a full illustration of how to use herbaceous grasses in a relaxed, layered way alongside perennials, bulbs, and flowering shrubs, download 7 Dees Bohemian Landscape Design Guide.

4. As Mass Plantings with Straight Lines in Modern Gardens

The loose structures of grasses might make them an odd choice for the organized approach of a Modern garden at first blush, but it is exactly that dichotomy that makes grasses such a fantastic fit for a Modern landscape design. There is something so satisfying about seeing grasses used in a linear way that both echoes and softens the angular shapes of hardscapes and beds in modern landscape. The informal structure of grasses repeated in ordered rows achieves a balance that makes a space feel serene and engaging at the same time.

To best use ornamental grasses in Modern landscape designs, plant them flanking walkways, in long linear rows in front of more structural plants, or in large swaths en masse. Repeating the same grass throughout helps achieve organization while still introducing soft, organic shapes.

Virtually any grass can be used for a repeat planting in a Modern garden, but be sure to take into consideration the plant's mature height to balance it with other landscape elements. Our Modern Landscape Design Guide shows you exactly how grasses are used to achieve organization and soften edges of the clean, architectural lines that are the hallmark of a modern garden.

5. In Container Gardens, Especially with an Autumnal Bent

Container gardens are instantly elevated by the use of ornamental grasses, which bring phenomenal texture, color, and movement to pots next to patios, entryways, and seating areas. Grasses are a versatile choice for containers, providing year-round interest and a dramatic, unique look—especially during Summer and Fall. They're also low-maintenance and adapt well to pots, making them an easy way to add height and seasonal charm to any potted combination.

Evergreen grasses are the best choice for pots and containers, where they will keep their shape, structure, and color all year long for many years on end. They can remain in the pot while annual flowers are rotated each season. Herbaceous grasses tend to grow aggressively and dominate container combinations after 2–3 years. Many faster-growing herbaceous grasses also rely on extensive root networks to establish drought-tolerance, so they may quickly fill available container space and deplete soil faster than evergreen options. However, herbaceous grasses are a perfect choice for Fall container plantings, so consider using them for short periods of time before transplanting them into the garden.

The varied textures available across species, graceful movement, and seasonal colors make ornamental grasses excellent for creating dynamic, layered displays. For more ideas on how to incorporate grasses into container gardens, visit our Fall Container Gardening blog.

6. As a Relaxed Privacy Screen

While ornamental grasses may not be the first thing that comes to mind when creating a privacy, we think these are a fantastic choice for helping to define zones within a garden. Larger hedging plants may be preferred for screening off the perimeter of the garden, but grasses are an excellent fit when it comes to enclosing seating areas within the landscape.

Tall ornamental grasses can be planted around patios and seating areas, or along pathways to obscure the surrounding views with soft, airy foliage. This creates a natural barrier that lends the garden a sense of mystery and privacy. When using tall herbaceous grasses like Feather Reed Grass or Maiden Grass to create privacy, keep in mind that the impact will be strongest in Summer and Fall, and that these plants should be cut back hard in January to allow for next year’s growth to emerge. Evergreen grasses like Pampas Grass or Clumping Bamboo are also excellent at enclosing spaces in the landscape, especially if their full mature width is considered at the time of planting.

If the goal of your privacy planting is help delineate areas and introduce height and texture into the garden, then ornamental grasses might be the perfect fit for your garden!

7. Along the Edges of Water Features & in Bioswales

Wet, boggy areas of the garden can often mystify even the savviest gardener. One of the best ways to manage a naturally wet area in the garden is to lean into its characteristics rather than trying to fight against them. Rain gardens, bioswales, and water features all make use of naturally wet, low-laying areas in the garden by giving the water somewhere to go and turning it into a feature rather than an eye-sore. Fortunately, there are many plants that are well adapted to having their roots in wet, poorly draining soil, including several grass species.

When introducing ornamental grasses into wet areas like rain gardens and bioswales, consider the height, texture, and overall aesthetic you’re hoping to achieve. In a modern garden, repeat the use of our native Rush, or Juncus, to create something that looks organized and intentional. In gardens that lean towards a more naturalistic, Pacific Northwest feature, use many grasses, especially right next to stone elements in these settings. Some of our favorite ornamental grasses for wet soils include Rush, Black Mondo Grass, Slough Sedge, Sweet Flag, Maiden Grass, and Tufted Hair Grass.