Consider planting some decorative grasses that do well in full sun if you want to give your garden some texture and movement. These low-maintenance beauties can be used in any landscape design because of their variety of heights, hues, and forms.
All of these 9 choices can withstand direct sunshine and will add a touch of natural beauty to your outdoor area.
Feather Reed Grass
Feather Reed Grass, known for its graceful plumes, requires minimal maintenance and thrives with regular watering and occasional trimming. Best planted in early spring, it quickly establishes itself in most garden settings. This grass prefers well-drained soil and can adapt to a variety of conditions, making it a resilient choice for many landscapes. In autumn, its foliage transitions to shades of gold, adding seasonal interest to the garden.
Blue Fescue
Blue Fescue, a popular ornamental grass, has notable disease resistance, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners. It thrives best when planted in well-drained soil, ensuring healthy growth. Seasonal changes bring a shift in its color, transitioning from blue-green in spring and summer to a more muted tan in fall and winter, adding visual interest throughout the year.
Pampas Grass
Pampas grass is often planted in the spring or autumn when soil temperatures are moderate. It boasts notable disease resistance, which makes it a low-maintenance choice for many gardeners. The plant is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, from sandy to clay, as long as the soil is well-drained. Popular varieties include ‘Pink Feather,’ which has pale pink plumes, and ‘Cortaderia Selloana,’ known for its tall, white feathery blooms.
Little Bluestem
Little Bluestem is known for its striking seasonal changes, with blue-green summer foliage and reddish-brown hues in the fall. It demonstrates exceptional disease resistance, making it a low-maintenance choice for many gardeners. When it comes to soil requirements, this grass is highly adaptable, thriving in well-drained soils, including sandy or clay types. Different popular varieties have slight variations in height and spread, suiting a range of landscape designs.
Muhly Grass
Muhly Grass is best planted in late spring to early summer for optimal growth. It does well with minimal maintenance, requiring only occasional watering and trimming back in early spring. This plant also has good disease resistance, making it a reliable choice for many gardeners. Popular varieties include Pink Muhly Grass, known for its pinkish plumes, and White Cloud, which features white flowering spikes.
Fountain Grass
Fountain grass is often planted in the spring or fall to allow its roots to establish firmly before extreme weather hits. This perennial is known for its moderate growth rate, typically reaching its full height in one growing season. Popular varieties like ‘Moudry’ feature black seed heads and grow about two to three feet tall, while ‘Hameln’ exhibits a more compact form, making it suitable for smaller garden spaces.
Switchgrass
Switchgrass thrives in various soil types, making it adaptable to many environments, including clay, sandy, and loamy soils. It exhibits good disease resistance, reducing the need for frequent treatments or interventions. The plant shows notable seasonal changes, with new green growth emerging in spring and turning golden brown by late fall, adding dynamic visual interest through the seasons.
Maiden Grass
Maiden Grass, known for its fast growth rate, is a popular ornamental grass that can quickly provide height and texture to garden landscapes. It thrives best when planted in the spring or early summer, allowing it ample time to establish roots before the cooler months. This grass is disease-resistant, which makes it an easy choice for gardeners looking for low-maintenance plants that remain healthy throughout the growing season.
Japanese Forest Grass
Japanese Forest Grass grows slowly, typically taking several years to reach its mature size. Planting is best done in early spring when the soil is workable and cool. This grass has good disease resistance, making it a reliable choice for gardeners looking for low-maintenance options. A well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil is ideal for its growth.