As gardeners, we’re always on the lookout for plants that can add unique texture, color, and visual interest to our outdoor spaces without requiring too much maintenance. Ornamental grasses, from short and spiky edging grasses to show-stopping, tall and wispy fountain grasses, are striking and generally easy to grow. Native grasses, in particular, are the easiest to grow and can add a beautiful, natural look to any garden.
7 Drought-Tolerant Stunning Ornamental Grasses That Thrive in Neglect
Choosing low-maintenance ornamental grasses makes adding unique texture and color simple. But, before we dive into our top picks, it’s essential to consider the most important factor in choosing the easiest grass: matching it to your climate, conditions, and hardiness zone.
Native Grasses: The Easiest to Grow
Native grasses are the easiest to grow because they’re adapted to the local climate and soil conditions. This means they require less care and are more likely to thrive in neglect. Native grasses also tend to be more drought-tolerant and require less watering than non-native grasses.
Why Choose Native Grasses?
According to the USDA, there are over 4,200 species of native grasses in North America. These grasses have evolved over thousands of years to thrive in specific regions, making them the perfect choice for gardeners looking for low-maintenance options.
For example, Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a native grass that’s easy to grow and requires minimal maintenance. It’s a great choice for gardeners in the eastern U.S., where it’s native, and can grow in zones 3 through 9. This grass grows in upright clumps as tall as six feet and turns yellow in fall, providing year-round visual interest.
Switchgrass: A Great Choice for Eastern Gardeners
Switchgrass is a pretty green grass that grows in upright clumps as tall as six feet at maturity. It turns yellow in fall, and, unlike some grasses, won’t slump over in winter, allowing you to use it for dormant season visual interest. Grow switchgrass in zones 3 through 9 in full sun and soil that tends to retain some moisture. Although it prefers moist soil, this grass does have good drought tolerance.
The only real maintenance you need to do is to cut it back in spring to allow new growth to come in. Find ‘Heavy Metal’ switchgrass from Garden Goods Direct for cool, metallic blue foliage. This variety is a bit more unique and adds an extra layer of interest to your garden.
Bottlebrush: A Native Grass for Cold Climates
Like switchgrass, Bottlebrush (Elymus hystrix) is native and can grow even in cold climates. It’s hardy from zone 3 through 8 and is a cool-season grass, thriving in the shoulder seasons and going dormant during the heat of summer. This grass grows up to four feet tall and has unique, bottlebrush-shaped seedheads.
Native bottlebrush is very low-maintenance if grown in the right conditions. It grows naturally in shaded woody areas with soil that drains very well and is even dry at times. It will reseed itself and come back year after year without much effort on your part. Bottlebrush grass can be found at Plant Addicts Nursery and shipped directly to you.
Pink Muhly Grass: A Drought-Tolerant Choice
For both a unique color and texture, choose Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris). As the name suggests, this grass adds a touch of pink to the garden. The feathery tufts of pink or reddish flowers put on a show in fall. It’s a smaller grass, growing only as tall as three feet, and looks nice in rock gardens, beds, and as an edging plant.
Native to North America, you can grow pink muhly grass in zones 5 through 9. It tolerates a variety of soils, even poor, sandy, and rocky soils. It is also drought-tolerant and needs full sun. As with most other native grasses, you won’t need to fertilize this one. For the showiest blooms, trim the grass back while it’s still dormant in winter. Pink muhly grass, available from Fast Growing Trees, can be planted just about anywhere and is sure to make your neighbors jealous!
Little Bluestem: A Great Choice for Most Gardeners
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a great choice for most gardeners, as it’s native throughout most of North America. Growing up to three feet tall, little bluestem has silvery or bluish foliage in spring and summer. It’s a low-maintenance option that thrives in a range of conditions and can tolerate poor soil.
Another advantage of little bluestem is its ability to provide year-round interest. In spring, it produces silvery or bluish foliage, while in fall, it turns a golden brown. This grass is also drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance, making it an ideal choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance option.
Japanese Forest Grass: A Non-Invasive Option
Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra) is a non-invasive option that’s perfect for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance, yet attractive, ornamental grass. This grass grows up to three feet tall and has beautiful, golden foliage that’s striking in any garden.
Japanese forest grass is a slow-growing grass that requires minimal maintenance. It prefers well-draining soil and partial shade, making it an ideal choice for woodland gardens or shaded areas. This grass is also drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering, making it a great choice for gardeners looking to reduce their water usage.
Other Drought-Tolerant Ornamental Grasses
There are many other drought-tolerant ornamental grasses that are perfect for gardeners looking for low-maintenance options. Some other options include:
- Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens): A perennial grass that grows up to three feet tall and has blue-green foliage.
- Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis): A perennial grass that grows up to two feet tall and has blue-green foliage.
- Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans): A perennial grass that grows up to three feet tall and has yellow or orange foliage.
These grasses are all drought-tolerant and require minimal maintenance, making them perfect for gardeners looking for low-maintenance options.
Conclusion
Ornamental grasses are a great way to add unique texture, color, and visual interest to your garden without requiring too much maintenance. By choosing native grasses and matching them to your climate, conditions, and hardiness zone, you can create a beautiful, low-maintenance garden that thrives in neglect.
Remember to choose grasses that are drought-tolerant and require minimal maintenance, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different varieties to find the perfect fit for your garden.
