The Best Ornamental Grasses in Zone 9

Silver Grass

The most-saved genus here, with 28 varieties in the full catalog. Tall fountains and silvery plumes provide movement and winter presence; choose sterile types.

Sedge

The full catalog includes 88 varieties. Sedges offer an exceptional range of textures for weaving through difficult sites.

Switchgrass

Choose from 16 varieties across the full catalog. Upright native clumps carry airy seed heads and strong autumn color.

Little Bluestem

Catalog-wide, this genus spans 12 varieties. Blue-green prairie blades turn copper and hold sparkling seed heads into winter.

Muhly Grass

This genus has 13 varieties in the full catalog. Airy pink or cream seed heads create a luminous cloud above fine foliage.

Fountain Grass

The full catalog includes 24 varieties. Arching blades and bottlebrush plumes create a soft, fountain-shaped accent.

Feather Reed Grass

Choose from 11 varieties across the full catalog. Early, upright plumes provide structure without the bulk of larger grasses.

Japanese Forest Grass

Catalog-wide, this genus spans 7 varieties. Cascading blades flow down a slope or edge like a shaded waterfall.

Rush

This genus has 13 varieties in the full catalog. Upright or curling stems add clean geometry to rain gardens and wet edges.

Hair Grass

The full catalog includes 3 varieties. A haze of fine flower stems catches backlight above a compact tuft.

Bluestem Grass

Choose from 8 varieties across the full catalog. Tall blue-green blades turn coppery and hold their shape into winter.

Dropseed

Catalog-wide, this genus spans 3 varieties. Fine leaves and fragrant seed panicles form an exceptionally graceful native clump.

Grama Grass

This genus has 4 varieties in the full catalog. Horizontal seed heads hover like tiny flags above this compact prairie grass.

Lovegrass

The full catalog includes 4 varieties. Fine-textured flower clouds lend movement without hiding neighboring plants.

Feather Grass

Choose from 7 varieties across the full catalog. Silky awns catch light and motion, giving dry plantings an airy finish.

Mondo Grass

Catalog-wide, this genus spans 24 varieties. Dark, grassy foliage creates a compact evergreen line in sun or shade.

Fescue

This genus has 6 varieties in the full catalog. Compact blue or green tufts sharpen an edge and stay effective beyond bloom season.

Japanese Blood Grass

The full catalog includes 2 varieties. Upright blades flushed red create a vivid accent, where noninvasive selections are required.

Pampas Grass

Choose from 7 varieties across the full catalog. Enormous silky plumes make a bold screen, though regionally invasive types need care.

Plume Grass

Catalog-wide, this genus spans 1 variety. Its representative is notable for being dry-spell tolerant and usually passed over by deer.