Ornamental Grasses for Pacific Northwest Gardens

Yes, summer is still in high gear in the Pacific Northwest. However, it does feel as if we’re seeing the back side of the hot weather’s last hurrah. As I write this, cloud cover has returned and that blazing orb we've become sooooo familiar with has retreated—for the time being. As the angle of light settles lower, a sense of the changing seasons is setting in. Routines are on track to shift as schools ease back into session and thoughts of fall garden projects percolate into our consciousness.

Thankfully, if previous years can be a guide, we’ve got many days in store of pleasant temps and ample opportunity to continue enjoying the garden enchantments of the season. So as we steer a course for fall, I’d like to take a moment to revel in some ornamental grasses—fantastic contributors that will continue to decorate the upcoming autumnal scenes—that are taking center stage in gardens now.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, I've found that ornamental grasses are a wonderful way to extend the season. There are many selections that offer a low-maintenance, easy-care means of bringing life, beauty, and movement into the late summer garden.

Some grasses are especially wonderful for introducing a dynamic quality to the garden. They flow and move, catching the light and the breeze. For example, Nassela tenuissima, Miscanthus sinensis 'Adagio', and variegated purple moor grass are particularly showy in late summer and into fall. But all pale in comparison when held up against the pièce de résistance featured in the video above: Stipa gigantea, giant feather grass.

Inspiring Images of Ornamental Grasses in Gorgeous Gardens

Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' (feather reed grass) flowers relatively early in the summer and ripens to this satisfying tawny tone. It maintains its upright habit for an extended time and mingles beautifully with other late blooming perennials.

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Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' (feather reed grass) flowers relatively early in the summer and ripens to this satisfying tawny tone. It maintains its upright habit for an extended time and mingles beautifully with other late blooming perennials.

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This climate-adapted combination includes Mexican feather grass (Nasella tennuissima). It flows and moves beautifully in the breeze (video).

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This climate-adapted combination includes Mexican feather grass (Nasella tennuissima). It flows and moves beautifully in the breeze (video).

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Helictotrichon sempervirens 'Sapphire' (blue oat grass) braces a medley of lively, pollinator-friendly perennials.

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Helictotrichon sempervirens 'Sapphire' (blue oat grass) braces a medley of lively, pollinator-friendly perennials.

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Purple fountain grass (left) in its late summer glory—even though it's a one-season show, this annual grass is well worth growing!

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Purple fountain grass (left) in its late summer glory—even though it's a one-season show, this annual grass is well worth growing!

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Flowing and wispy—Mexican feather grass creating this painterly scene in combination with summer blooming perennials.

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Flowing and wispy—Mexican feather grass creating this painterly scene in combination with summer blooming perennials.

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As a warm season grass, switch grass (Panicum v. 'Shenandoah') really gets rolling from summer onward.

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As a warm season grass, switch grass (Panicum v. 'Shenandoah') really gets rolling from summer onward.

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Stipa gigantea, paired with robust perennials creating a tall but transparent division of space.

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Stipa gigantea, paired with robust perennials creating a tall but transparent division of space.

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Big blowzy grasses (Miscanthus s. 'Morning Light' in center, and M. 'Adagio at left) in combination with a sun-tolerant panicle hydrangea and a slow-growing conifer, create a lush but tough planted boundary.

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Big blowzy grasses (Miscanthus s. 'Morning Light' in center, and M. 'Adagio at left) in combination with a sun-tolerant panicle hydrangea and a slow-growing conifer, create a lush but tough planted boundary.

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Chocolate Cosmos mingling with Deschampsia 'Northern Light'.

Chocolate Cosmos mingling with Deschampsia 'Northern Light'.
Stipa gigantea is a late-season start in this drought-tolerant mixed border.

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Stipa gigantea is a late-season start in this drought-tolerant mixed border.

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Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' (feather reed grass) is accompanied by dahlia and helenium in this flower-filled plant combination in late summer.

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Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' (feather reed grass) is accompanied by dahlia and helenium in this flower-filled plant combination in late summer.

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My Top Picks: Ornamental Grasses for the Pacific Northwest

It was really hard to pick just a few, but these are some of my current favorites. If you follow the individual links, you can learn more about them and get ideas for planting combinations that incorporate them. To browse all the ornamental grasses on the eGardenGo site, follow this link.

Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Avalanche'

Avalanche Feather Reed Grass

Type: Grass / Grass-Like
Exposure: Full Sun, Full Sun, Part Sun, Afternoon Sun
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

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Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights'

Northern Lights Tufted Hair Grass

Type: Grass / Grass-Like, Perennial
Exposure: Full Sun, Full Sun, Part Sun
Zone: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

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Miscanthus sinensis 'Adagio'

Dwarf Maiden Grass

Type: Grass / Grass-Like
Exposure: Full Sun, Full Sun, Afternoon Sun
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

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Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'

Japanese Silver Grass

Type: Grass / Grass-Like
Exposure: Full Sun, Full Sun, Afternoon Sun
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

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Molinia caerulea ssp. caerulea 'Moorflamme'

Purple Moor Grass

Type: Grass / Grass-Like, Perennial
Exposure: Full Sun, Full Sun, Afternoon Sun
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

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Molinia caerulea ssp. caerulea 'Variegata'

Variegated Purple Moor Grass

Type: Grass / Grass-Like, Perennial
Exposure: Afternoon Sun, Full Sun, Part Sun
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

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Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Burgundy Bunny'

Burgundy Bunny Fountain Grass

Type: Grass / Grass-Like, Groundcover
Exposure: Full Sun, Full Sun, Part Sun, Afternoon Sun, Reflected Heat
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

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Stipa gigantea

Giant Feather Grass

Type: Grass / Grass-Like
Exposure: Full Sun, Full Sun, Afternoon Sun, Reflected Heat
Zone: 7, 8, 9, 10

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Plant Combinations that Feature Gorgeous Grasses

These drought-tolerant plant combinations really shine in late summer. They incorporate ornamental grasses and companion plants. Follow the links below to learn more about the individual plants included in each of the featured plant combinations. To explore even more combos that include fall grasses, follow this link.

Drought Tolerant Mixed Border for a Hot Spot

Zone: 7, 8
Exposure: Afternoon Sun, Full Sun, Reflected Heat

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Drought Tolerant Perennial Combo for Full Sun

Zone: 8, 9, 10
Exposure: Afternoon Sun, Full Sun, Reflected Heat, Full Sun

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Drought Tolerant Trio with Multi Season Appeal

Zone: 7, 8, 9
Exposure: Afternoon Sun, Full Sun

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Dry Garden Foliage Tapesty in Subdued Tones

Zone: 7, 8
Exposure: Afternoon Sun, Full Sun

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Fab Foursome for Fall Blooms

Zone: 7, 8, 9
Exposure: Afternoon Sun, Full Sun, Reflected Heat, Full Sun

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Late Summer Blooms with Clever Late Season Color Echo

Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8
Exposure: Afternoon Sun, Full Sun, Reflected Heat, Full Sun

view combo

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Grasses I've Got My Eye On

I've added a few grasses to my "watch list" over the last several weeks. I'm always on the lookout for plants that I'm not growing and/or don't feel adequately knowledgeable about. I spotted these visiting gardens, garden centers, and most recently the Farwest Show.

I've seen Pennisetum spathiolatum around and admired it for a number of years. I ran into it again a couple weeks ago at a friend's open garden. Isn't it wonderful? Granted, I think it needs room to be at its best vs. being crowded by neighboring plants. That'll be my biggest struggle if I try to incorporate it in my garden here at home.

I've seen Pennisetum spathiolatum around and admired it for a number of years. I ran into it again a couple weeks ago at a friend's open garden. Isn't it wonderful? Granted, I think it needs room to be at its best vs. being crowded by neighboring plants. That'll be my biggest struggle if I try to incorporate it in my garden here at home.
Festuca arundinacea 'Glow Sticks' was on display at the New Varieties Showcase at this week's Farwest Show here in Portland. This display features new introductions that aren't usually out on the market and available for sale yet. So if it looks like something you'd like to try you'll need to wait a bit before it's out in the local retail garden centers.

Festuca arundinacea 'Glow Sticks' was on display at the New Varieties Showcase at this week's Farwest Show here in Portland. This display features new introductions that aren't usually out on the market and available for sale yet. So if it looks like something you'd like to try you'll need to wait a bit before it's out in the local retail garden centers.
Miscanthus sinensis 'Gentle Breeze' is a compact maiden grass that was also shown in the New Varieties Showcase. This display features new introductions that aren't usually out on the market and available for sale yet. So if it looks like something you'd like to try you'll need to wait a bit before it's out in the local retail garden centers. This looks like it will be a nice option for adding sought-after texture and movement in a smaller plant. So many of the very popular maiden grasses can get really, really big and can be hard to work around in small gardens.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Gentle Breeze' is a compact maiden grass that was also shown in the New Varieties Showcase. This display features new introductions that aren't usually out on the market and available for sale yet. So if it looks like something you'd like to try you'll need to wait a bit before it's out in the local retail garden centers. This looks like it will be a nice option for adding sought-after texture and movement in a smaller plant. So many of the very popular maiden grasses can get really, really big and can be hard to work around in small gardens.
Panicum virgatum Prairie Winds® 'Totem Pole' is a Proven Winners selection included in the New Varieties Showcase. It's another grass that looks like it'll be valued for its unique and useful form. I expect that its strictly upright growth habit would be useful for creating a 3-season hedge or division of space.

Panicum virgatum Prairie Winds® 'Totem Pole' is a Proven Winners selection included in the New Varieties Showcase. It's another grass that looks like it'll be valued for its unique and useful form. I expect that its strictly upright growth habit would be useful for creating a 3-season hedge or division of space.
I picked up several of these autumn moor grass at Xera Plants a retail shop a couple of weeks ago. I don't have this grass in my personal garden yet and I'm anxious to give it a try. This particular variety is called Sesleria autumnalis 'Campo Verde'.

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I picked up several of these autumn moor grass at Xera Plants a retail shop a couple of weeks ago. I don't have this grass in my personal garden yet and I'm anxious to give it a try. This particular variety is called Sesleria autumnalis 'Campo Verde'.

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Autumn moor grass (Sesleria autumnalis) in combination with Hebe pinguifolia 'Sutherlandii' carpet the ground in evergreen foliage. Together, their dense foliage creates a weed-suppressing, low-maintenance, drought-tolerant mulch.

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Autumn moor grass (Sesleria autumnalis) in combination with Hebe pinguifolia 'Sutherlandii' carpet the ground in evergreen foliage. Together, their dense foliage creates a weed-suppressing, low-maintenance, drought-tolerant mulch.

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