Zebra Grass – Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’
Height: 4 – 5 feet
Width: 3 – 5 feet
Bloom color: Copper Brown to Tan
Flowering season: Late Summer, Fall
USDA minimum zone: 5
Cold hardiness: -10° F
Variegated Society Garlic – Tulbaghia violacea ‘Variegata’
Variegated society garlic is a grassy, clumping groundcover that grows to about a foot tall. Lilac-purple flower clusters top tall stems that stand anywhere from a few inches to a foot above the plant throughout the warm months, especially in spring and summer. Creamy white stripes line the edges of each strappy, blue-green leaf, giving…
Umbrella Plant – Cyperus alternifolius
Height: 2 – 3 feet
Width: 2 – 3 feet (more if moisture is available)
Bloom color: Green-Brown
Flowering season: Summer
USDA minimum zone: 9
Cold hardiness: 20° F
Society Garlic – Tulbaghia violacea
Society garlic is a grassy, clumping groundcover that matures at about a foot tall. Lilac-purple flower clusters top tall flower stems that stand anywhere from a few inches to a foot above the plant throughout the warm months, but are most abundant in the spring and summer. Foliage has a strong garlicky-onion scent when brushed…
Side Oats Grama – Bouteloua curtipendula
Side Oats Grama is a drought-tolerant clumping grass with bluish green leaf blades and unusual flowering stems. Seed spikes hang on just one side of the flowering stem, resembling oats as they dry and turn brown. Foliage turns a warm golden brown in the fall, and the lower foliage may turn shades of red or…
Regal Mist Grass – Muhlenbergia capillaris ‘Regal Mist’
Regal mist is a small clumping grass that sits quietly and unobtrusively in the garden until it explodes with plumes of airy pink flowers that rise well above its finely textured foliage in late summer and early fall. When planted in mass, the colorful autumn display is a stunning sight, but solo specimens are also…
Purple Fountain Grass – Pennisetum setaceum ‘Cupreum’
Purple fountain grass is an eye-catching specimen plant with its green leaf blades tinged with maroon. It has a graceful growth habit that looks elegant in both containers and in the ground. Pinkish purple flower plumes float freely above foliage. This particular variety is sterile, which means that it is not invasive like other members…
Pampas Grass – Cortaderia selloana
Height: 8 – 10 feet
Width: 4 – 5 feet
Bloom color: White; often with pink to purple flush
Flowering season: Late Summer
USDA minimum zone: 7
Cold hardiness: 5° F
Nashville Grass – Muhlenbergia rigida ‘Nashville’
Height: 1 – 2 feet
Width: 1 – 2 feet
Bloom color: Purple to Tan
Flowering season: Late Summer, Fall
USDA minimum zone: 6
Cold hardiness: -10° F