Ornamental grasses deliver movement, texture, and year-round structure to gardens, thriving in low-water, sustainable designs across contemporary, cottage, coastal, and native styles. Popular in Australia for over a decade, they avoid past invasives like Pampas Grass while offering native and exotic options for borders, features, ground covers, and pots. This guide details top varieties, design uses, selection tips, and care suited to local climates.
Design Uses and Benefits
Ornamental grasses (true Poaceae plus sedges, rushes) excel as flexible tools for garden design:
- Feature plants: Tall, sculptural types (e.g., Miscanthus) in drifts near entrances or back borders.
- Borders/edging: Compact clumpers (e.g., Mondo Grass) along paths for cohesion.
- Ground covers/mass plantings: Tufting types suppress weeds in modern/coastal beds.
- Naturalistic meadows: Fine foliage as matrix with perennials like Gaura or Echinacea.
- Containers/small spaces: Pots for balconies; erosion control on slopes (e.g., Liriope).
- They soften edges, support biodiversity, and handle drought, wind, sun/shade once established.
Top Ornamental Grasses for Australian Conditions
Select species based on climate, soil, and habit, prioritizing non-invasive clumpers over self-seeders.
Prioritize non-invasive clumpers; check weed risk near bushland.
| Variety | Foliage/Features | Height/Spread | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ | Variegated gold-green arching | 35cm | Sun/shade, dry/wet | Zero-maintenance evergreen; lights shade. |
| Carex comans | Bronze-tan “hairy” sedge | 40cm | Sun/part shade | Meadow partner with pinks/silvers. |
| Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ | Fine leaves, copper plumes | 1-2m | Full sun | Cut winter; dried flowers; low seeding in cool areas. |
| Stipa gigantea | Grey base, golden oat panicles | 1.5m+ | Sun, dry | Non-seeding trials in VIC/NSW. |
| Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass) | Pale green, tan seeds | 50cm | Versatile, drought | Native; fresh/dried appeal. |
| Poa labillardieri ‘Suggan Buggan’ | Blue-grey erect | 1m+ | Sun/shade, frost/dry | Olympic-style native drama. |
| Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon) | Black/green clumper | 25cm | Sun/shade, drought | Lily family; tough edging. |
| Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ | Variegated shade lover | 30-40cm | Part shade | Red Beni Kaz variant. |
| Festuca glauca (Blue Fescue) | Blue-grey clump | 25cm | Full sun, heat/dry | Compact, low-care. |
| Poa sieberiana ‘Mr Curly’ | Curly buff thatch dwarf | 20cm | Sun, rockery | Native; gentle combing. |
| Liriope muscari/spicata | Broad leaves, dense roots | 30-40cm | Sun/shade | Erosion control; border grass. |
| Imperata cylindrica (Blood Grass) | Red tips from green | 40cm | Moist | Container to limit spread. |
Choosing the Right Grass
- Climate/soil: Warm-season for heat (e.g., Themeda); cool for moist (e.g., Carex elata).
- Size/habit: Upright back; mounding front; space by mature spread.
- Sun/seasonal interest: Full sun most; plumes/seeds for winter structure.
- Native vs exotic: Locals for resilience; check invasives (avoid Panicum/Phalaris).
Planting and Care Essentials
- Planting: Well-drained soil; raise beds if heavy; space appropriately.
- Water/feeding: Establish first season; minimal after—light spring fertilizer max.
- Pruning: Annual clip post-flower or “hay off” (buff winter look); comb Carex.
- Dividing: Every 3-5 years for clumps; mulch emulates grasslands.
- Warnings: Gloves for sharp blades; trial seeding in warm areas.
Ideas for Using Ornamental Grasses in Landscaping
Here are a few practical ways to bring ornamental grasses into different styles of garden:
- Contemporary gardens
Combine bold architectural ornamental grasses with simple hard landscaping and a limited plant palette for a clean, modern look. Repetition, straight lines and mass planting work especially well. - Cottage and mixed borders
Thread fine‑textured grasses through flowering perennials and shrubs to add movement and to link different flower colours. Seed heads will catch the light and extend interest into autumn and winter. - Coastal and dry gardens
Choose drought‑tolerant, wind‑resistant species for exposed sites and sandy soils. Their strong root systems help stabilise soil while foliage softens structures such as retaining walls and decks. - Small urban spaces
Use grasses in pots, raised beds and narrow strips along fences to create softness and privacy without taking up too much space. Taller clumps can screen neighbouring windows without feeling heavy.
Wholesale Suppliers Include
DOWNES WHOLESALE NURSERY - Phone: 02 4651 0999
111 Stanhope Road Theresa Park NSW 2570
Offering a variety of sun hardy Australian natives and exotic trees, shrubs, groundcover's and perennials from semi advanced through to super advanced and semi-mature stock.
www.downesnursery.com.au
111 Stanhope Road Theresa Park NSW 2570
Offering a variety of sun hardy Australian natives and exotic trees, shrubs, groundcover's and perennials from semi advanced through to super advanced and semi-mature stock.
www.downesnursery.com.au
PLANTMARK
email ask@plantmark.com.au
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au
email ask@plantmark.com.au
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au
PROVINCIAL PLANTS and LANDSCAPES
Native grasses, sedges, rushes, lilies, wetland plants, ornamental grasses and grass trees. Contract growing. Cells, tubes and pots. Contemporary water wise garden solutions and revegetation specialists. Unique garden decor, pots and original sculptures. Delivery available. www.plantsandlandscapes.com.au
Native grasses, sedges, rushes, lilies, wetland plants, ornamental grasses and grass trees. Contract growing. Cells, tubes and pots. Contemporary water wise garden solutions and revegetation specialists. Unique garden decor, pots and original sculptures. Delivery available. www.plantsandlandscapes.com.au
Depending on grower, Ornamental grasses wholesale are usually available in :
- Seedling Trays – Very cheap however plants are not as large
- Hiko Tubes – Larger plants, cheaper than potted plants
- Strips
- Potted plants – mature larger plants for immediate landscaping impact
