Graceful Grasses for Autumn Colour

By Veronica

 

Still somewhat underrated, ornamental grasses are a wonderful addition to any garden. Whether your style is Architectural, Wild, Cottage, Japanese, or Woodland, these versatile plants fit right in—adding soft structure, subtle movement, and autumn interest when many flowers begin to fade.

In recent years, their popularity has grown, thanks to their ability to bring year-round appeal and withstand a variety of conditions—even coastal winds, in some cases. It’s no surprise they’ve become cornerstone plants in contemporary garden design.

But with so much variety available, choosing the right ones for your garden can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect grasses for your space—and how to care for them.

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Evergreen Grasses for Year-Round Colour

Low-growing evergreen grasses are perfect for the front of borders and in containers. They’re especially effective in clean, modern designs, offering structure and contrasting texture.

• Ophiopogon nigrescens (black grass) pairs beautifully with the white-variegated foliage of Fatsia japonica ‘Spider’s Web’, or with the lime tones of Heuchera ‘Lime Marmalade’ or Sambucus ‘Aurea’—a striking combination for partial shade.

• For a sun-loving blue and purple scheme, try Festuca glauca ‘Intense Blue’ with Salvia nemorosa and Verbena bonariensis.

• Carex varieties are ideal in Japanese-style gardens. Plant them at the base of Acers to provide colour once the leaves fall.

Carex, Photo (c)2006 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man), licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license

• If you're looking for height, Stipa gigantea (Golden Oats) makes a statement, reaching up to 2 metres with arching flower stems. Leave them standing through winter for continued interest, then cut back in spring.

• For shady areas, consider Liriope muscari. While not a true grass, its strappy leaves and autumn-blooming violet spikes offer a similar visual appeal.

Liriope, Photo by Leonora (Ellie) E, cropped. Licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license.

Growing Tips:
Evergreen grasses—especially Carex—benefit from a light cut once a year to refresh growth. Tidy dead leaves as needed. Ophiopogon thrives in shade, while most others prefer full sun to partial shade. For Festuca glauca, well-drained soil and a full sun position help preserve its striking silvery-blue colour.

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Deciduous Grasses with Outstanding Foliage

Foliage is often overlooked in favour of flowers, but many deciduous grasses offer spectacular colour and texture throughout the seasons.

• Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’ (Japanese Blood Grass) dazzles with fiery red blades. It thrives in sun or partial shade and pairs beautifully with pale green foliage or blue-flowered companions. Alternatively, for an all-grass theme, combine it with Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’—a stunning mix of bold and feathery textures.

Stipa Tenuissima 'Pony Tails', Photo by Benjamin Cheng

• Taller options like Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass) bring drama to the back of borders. ‘Prairie Sky’ starts silvery blue and develops reddish flower spikes, followed by golden autumn foliage. For even more late-season colour, try ‘Warrior’ or ‘Squaw’, which transform into vivid shades of yellow, orange, and red topped with pink or purple plumes.

Panicum, Photo by JIAWEI QIAN

• For lower-growing interest, Hakonechloa macra is a graceful Japanese grass with luminous, cascading foliage. Ideal for underplanting trees or softening border edges, it mixes effortlessly with a range of perennials.
  

Hakonechloa, Photo by Lorenz Hoffmann

Growing Tips:
These grasses thrive in rich, moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Cut back dead growth in spring to promote new shoots.

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Deciduous Grasses with Beautiful Seed Heads

Grasses invite touch, and few do so more than those with soft, feathery flower heads. Many peak in late summer and remain ornamental well into winter.

• Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ is a favourite among designers. Its tall, upright habit and early-summer flowers make it ideal for structural planting. Prefer something variegated? Try ‘Overdam’. Both work well in mass or as focal points.

Calamagrostis inflorescences, Photo by Laura Ohlman

• For a softer touch, Molinia (moor grass) produces delicate, airy flower spikes. Combine it with large, showy plants like Hydrangea paniculata for a modern, layered look.

• For bold colour and movement, Miscanthus varieties deliver with plumes in shades of white, pink, or red. Hardy and tolerant, the compact ‘Pink Cloud’ is a top pick for long-lasting texture in borders.

Miscanthus, Photo by lee seunghyub

In containers, few grasses rival Pennisetum (Fountain Grass). These tufted beauties range in foliage colour from green to deep purple, with soft, brush-like blooms that bring pots to life.

Pennisetum, Photo by Tadeusz Zachwieja 

And finally, the grand statement-maker: Cortaderia selloana (Pampas Grass). With its massive, florist-favourite plumes, it suits large gardens or oversized borders. For smaller spaces, the compact Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila’ offers all the drama in a more manageable form. The Pampa grass is evergreen unlike the other varieties above.

Cortaderia, Photo by bruno neurath-wilson

Growing Tips:
Like most deciduous grasses, these should be cut back (except for the Cortaderia) in early spring to make way for fresh growth.

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Let ornamental grasses bring beauty, texture, and movement to your garden—all with minimal fuss.