Gorgeous Grasses for the Late Season Garden

Yes, summer is still in high gear in the Pacific Northwest, but it does feel as if we’re seeing the back side of the hot weather’s last hurrah. As the angle of light settles lower, a sense of the changing seasons is setting in; routines are on track for a big shift as schools ease back into session and thoughts of fall garden projects percolate into our consciousness.

But if previous years can be a guide, we’ve got many days in store of pleasant temps and many opportunities 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 to autumnal scenes, that are taking center stage in gardens now.

Mexican Feather Grass Flowing in the Breeze

Some grasses are especially wonderful for introducing a dynamic quality as they flow and move, catching the light and the breeze. Two examples: Nassela tenuissima (above) and Miscanthus sinensis 'Adagio' (our featured image) are particularly showy in late summer and into fall.

Inspiring Images of Grasses in Gorgeous Gardens

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.

Visit Link

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.

Visit Link
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.

Visit Link

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

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

Visit Link

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

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

Visit Link

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

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

Visit Link

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

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

Visit Link

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

Visit Link

Top Picks for Late Summer Grasses

These are some of my current favorites. Follow the individual links to learn more about them and to get ideas for planting combinations that incorporate them. To browse all the ornamental grasses on the 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

view plant

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

view plant

Miscanthus sinensis 'Adagio'

Dwarf Maiden Grass

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

view plant

Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'

Japanese Silver Grass

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

view plant

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

view plant

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

view plant

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

view plant

Stipa gigantea

Giant Feather Grass

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

view plant

Drought-tolerant Combos in Which Late-season Grasses Shine

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.