Glenn Landscape is a specialty grower of ornamental grasses and perennials which we grow in our very own nursery for your landscape projects. Ornamental grasses and perennials come in virtually every shape and size and add color, texture, and structure to your landscape design.
Using an array of grasses and perennials in your landscape and garden will provide you with countless possibilities to arrange and design your outdoor space.
Here are five examples of ornamental grasses and perennials that you should consider using in your landscape design.
Image by: Jennifer Cheung via Monrovia
Pink Muhly Grass
This ornamental grass features vibrant, pink-purple plumes. Plant muhly grass in groups along a solid wall background to show off its beautiful flowers or next to a pond as its delicate airy plumes will shimmer in the wind. They also make great hillside plantings.
- Plant type: Ornamental grass; Perennial
- Light: Partial sun to full sun
- Water: Water frequently when growing muhly grass, but once mature, you only need to give supplemental water in periods of severe drought.
- Size & Growth: Grows fast in a round shape. Averages around 2 to 3 feet tall with blooms reaching 4 feet tall.
- Blooms: Late summer through fall
- Foliage color: Green
- Flower color: Purple-pink
Image by: Doreen Wynja via Monrovia
Blue Grama Blonde Ambition Grass
Blue grama grass has hardy, blue-green stalks that are weather-resistant and it’s blonde seed heads will remain throughout winter. It is tolerant of many soils, making it a good choice for low-maintenance landscapes.
- Plant type: Ornamental grass
- Light: Partial sun to full sun
- Water: Once established, water occasionally; more in extreme heat or containers.
- Size & Growth: Grows moderately in a round shape. Averages around 3 feet tall and wide.
- Blooms: Mid-summer
- Foliage color: Blue-green
- Flower color: Green
Image via Grimm’s Gardens
Blue Fescue Grass
This short and eye-catching ornamental grass will look great front and center or at the borders of your flower beds. Blue fescue grass can be planted in masses and used as ground cover or dotted around a rock garden, as they are drought-tolerant.
- Plant type: Ornamental grass; Groundcover
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Once established, water occasionally.
- Size & Growth: Grows quickly in dense mounds, reaching 8 to 12 inches tall and wide.
- Blooms: Late summer
- Foliage color: Silver-blue
- Flower color: Brown
Image by: Doreen Wynja via Monrovia
Western Sword Fern
This prehistoric beauty is native to the Pacific Northwest and is prized for its glossy, toothed, dark-green foliage. Ferns add color to your outdoor space year-round and make your landscape design appear more natural. Sword ferns grow best in moist shady conditions; however, as long as there is good drainage, the sword fern can easily adapt.
- Plant type: Fern; Perennial
- Light: Full shade to partial sun
- Water: Water regularly to maintain moist soil; weekly or more.
- Size & Growth: Grows in dense clumps 3 to 6 feet tall and wide. Cut back old, faded fronds when new growth begins in spring.
- Foliage color: Green
Image via Gardenia.net
English Lavender
English lavender, otherwise known as Common Lavender, is a colorful and fragrant perennial that is deer-resistant and perfect for low-maintenance landscapes. Lavender will grow happily on a hillside or looks great planted around garden borders. It will also attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden.
- Plant type: Shrub; Perennial
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Once established, water occasionally
- Size & Growth: Fast growing and typically grows 2 to 3 feet tall.
- Blooms: Summer
- Foliage color: Green
- Flower color: Purple
For more information about ornamental grasses and perennials, contact Glenn Landscape at (541) 461-4375.