Xeriscape: Ornamental Grasses

asses are one of the dominant plants native to the Colorado plains. Native and adapted grasses have recently become a valued addition to Gardens. Ornamental grasses add two important elements to Gardens that no other group of plants can. With the slightest breeze, a Garden with grasses comes alive with movement and sound.

Grasses are adaptable to new areas because they grow better in poorer soils than many other Garden plants. They are available in a variety of heights, colors, textures and water requirements. Grasses are useful in many different types of landscapes and add variety to many sorts of Gardens including rock, wildlife and xeriscape.

Colorado Garden centers and nurseries have increased the availability of xeriscape grasses that grow with little or no supplemental water. Among the shorter types, blue fescue is very popular for its mounds of bright green and blue grass. Native sideoats grama, sand love grass and June grass are also good Garden grasses.

Medium-tall prairie dropseed has a sweet smell and is gold to orange-red in the fall. Little bluestem is a good choice for mountain Gardens because of its hardiness. It turns an orange to russet-red color in the fall that lasts well into winter. Other medium-height grasses include Indian ricegrass and blue oat grass.

Two tall xeriscape grasses can be recommended. Big bluestem has seedheads resembling birds feet in the fall, and then produces a desirable orange fall color. Indian grass has delicate seedheads that are excellent for fresh or dried arrangements.

For "Ornamental grasses" refer to message 1002.

For more information, see the following Colorado State Extension fact sheet(s).  http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/1906.html