Transform Your Garden with the Best Ornamental Grasses

Grasses are often overlooked when planning a garden, but they might be the secret ingredient that brings it all together. Ornamental grasses are one of the easiest ways to add beauty and structure to your space with very little maintenance. Once you plant them, it quickly becomes hard to imagine your garden without them.

At Arundel Arboretum, we have carefully curated a selection of ornamental grasses that thrive in UK conditions and offer something special for every type of garden. They are chosen for their beauty, resilience and low-maintenance. But before you explore different varieties, there are some things to consider before buying.

What to Consider When Buying Ornamental Grasses

Finding the perfect ornamental grass for your space may feel a bit overwhelming, as there
are so many options to choose from. Here are a few key things to consider before you choose your perfect grass:

How much sun does your garden get?

Most ornamental grasses thrive in full sun. But there are some varieties that are suitable for shadier areas, like Carex morrowii ‘Evergold’ or Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’.

How much space do you have?

Some grasses stay compact and are perfect for small gardens or containers, while others need more space to grow. Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ and Carex testacea are great for small borders or pots. Taller varieties like Stipa gigantea and Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’ need more room to spread.

What’s your goal when planting grasses?

Do you need height and privacy, movement and texture, or colour and contrast? Identifying your garden’s needs will help you choose the right grasses.

Do you want a tidy or wild look?

Most grasses at Arundel Arboretum are clump-forming, which means they grow in tidy, non-invasive mounds. They won’t take over your garden and are easy to manage. Spreading types, like Arundo donax, are best for large, naturalistic areas.

How much maintenance are you happy to do?

Evergreen grasses like Carex need only light tidying. Deciduous types like Miscanthus and Stipa should be cut back once a year in late winter or early spring.

Tips for Growing Ornamental Grasses in the UK

Growing ornamental grasses in the UK comes with its own set of challenges. From coping with wet winters to choosing varieties that thrive in cooler climates, these quick tips will help you get the best results in your garden.

Wet Winters

Many parts of UK, especially in the south and west, experience damp, mild winters that can lead to root rot if the soil is poorly drained. Choose moisture-tolerant grasses like Carex or improve drainage before planting varieties like Miscanthus or Stipa, as they don’t like sitting in water.

Coastal or Exposed Locations

In windy areas, ornamental grasses that are too tall or delicate can get flattened. So choose strong, upright varieties like Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kleine Fontane’ or Stipa gigantea, that are more resistant to wind.
For coastal gardens, consider salt-tolerant and drought-tolerant options like Festuca species. You can also consider Phormium tenax. Though not a true grass, it’s widely used for its grass-like form and exceptional tolerance to wind, salt, and dry conditions.

Regional Hardiness

Most ornamental grasses sold at Arundel Arboretum are hardy throughout the UK. However, in colder regions, especially in northern or upland areas, newly planted grasses may need some winter protection. So we recommend mulching the base in autumn to protect roots from frost.

Compact Spaces and Urban Gardens

With many gardens being small or paved, bear in mind low-growing ornamental grasses like Festuca glauca and Carex morrowii ‘Evergold’ are ideal for patios, containers, and front garden borders.

Support for Wildlife

Ornamental grasses such as Stipa tenuissima and Miscanthus offer shelter and seasonal cover, making them a great addition to wildlife-friendly or pollinator gardens.

Top Ornamental Grasses – Available at Arundel Arboretum

Here’s a simple, friendly guide to help you choose—whether you want height, colour, movement, or something low-maintenance. All these beautiful grasses are available at Arundel Arboretum and suited to UK gardens.

1. Best Tall Grasses for Borders & Screens

If your garden needs some extra height or a bit of privacy, tall ornamental grasses are a great way to go. They add movement, drama, and structure to larger borders and they’re ideal for creating a natural screen without putting up a fence. Their height ranges from 1.5- 2.5 meters.
•    Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’ (Zebra Grass)
•    Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kleine Fontane’
•    Miscanthus sinensis ‘Malepartus’
•    Stipa gigantea (Giant Feather Grass)

Ideal for: large borders, naturalistic planting schemes, creating vertical rhythm and privacy.

2. Best Compact Grasses for Small Gardens & Patios

Tight on space but you still want your garden to stand out? These compact ornamental grasses are perfect for pots, patios, and smaller UK gardens. They’re easy to care for and full of texture, ideal for adding a bit of life and movement.
•    Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’
•    Carex morrowii ‘Evergold’
•    Miscanthus sinensis ‘Little Zebra’
•    Carex oshimensis ‘Ice Dance’

Ideal for: Patios, courtyard gardens, edging pathways, and modern container displays.

3. Best Colourful Grasses for Borders & Beds

3. Best Colourful Grasses for Borders & Beds
Not all grasses are green and these vibrant varieties prove it. Some have bold stripes, golden tones, or fiery red tips, and can bring colour and contrast to your beds and borders, especially through the summer and autumn months.
•    Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’ (Japanese Blood Grass)
•    Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’
•    Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’
•    Carex morrowii ‘Evergold’
•    Carex testacea (Orange New Zealand Sedge)

Ideal for: Perennial beds or mixed borders, adding colour and contrast, especially in summer and autumn.

4. Best Soft Grasses for Movement and Texture

4. Best Soft Grasses for Movement and Texture
There’s something magical about plants that sway in the wind. These grasses are all about texture and flow, bringing a soft, natural look to your garden that changes with the seasons. They’re especially lovely in sunny, open spaces.
•    Stipa gigantea
•    Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kleine Fontane’
•    Miscanthus sinensis ‘Malepartus’
•    Miscanthus sinensis ‘Silberfeder’

Ideal for: Softening hard landscapes, adding movement, and seasonal drama in sunny, open spaces.

5. Best Low-Maintenance Ground Cover Grasses

If you want to cover bare spots or edge paths without too much fuss, these ground-covering grasses are a great choice. Tough, tidy, and evergreen, they’ll fill out tricky areas and keep your garden looking fresh all year round.
•    Carex morrowii ‘Evergold’
•    Carex oshimensis ‘Ice Dance’
•    Carex testacea
•    Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’

Ideal for: Underplanting, difficult dry areas, low borders, and year-round evergreen texture.

How to Plant and Care for Ornamental Grasses UK

Planting and caring for ornamental grasses is simple once you know the basics. Follow these easy tips to help your grasses thrive in the UK climate:

Planting Tips:

•    When to plant: 
In spring or early autumn, to establish the roots before extreme weather.
•    Where to plant: 
Most grasses love sun but a few can tolerate partial shade.
•    How to prepare soil:
Make sure the soil is free-draining, as most ornamental grasses don’t like sitting in water. If your soil is heavy or clay-based, mix in horticultural grit or garden compost to improve structure and drainage.
•    Spacing: 
Check the label to see how big the plant will get. Leave enough room so it can grow to its full size.
•    Watering:
Water thoroughly after planting and during the first growing season.

Care Tips:

•    Watering:
Once established, most grasses are drought-tolerant. However, water during dry spells in summer or if you grow them in pots.
•    Feeding:
Grasses usually don’t need feeding. Apply general-purpose fertilizer in spring if you think the growth is too slow.
•    Cutting back:
Deciduous grasses should be cut back in late winter or early spring before the new growth. As for evergreen grasses, just remove dead or messy leaves.
•    Dividing:
Every few years, divide clump-forming grasses in spring to keep them healthy and stop them from becoming overcrowded.
•    Mulching:
In colder regions, mulch to protect the roots from frost.

How to Use Ornamental Grasses in Garden Design

Now that you know everything you need about planting and caring for ornamental grasses, here are a few tips on how to use them in your garden design:
•    Plant in groups of 3 or 5 to get natural look
•    Use tall grasses at the back of borders for height
•    Use low grasses to edge paths or soften hard lines
•    Mix them with perennials for texture and contrast
•    Pair with gravel, rocks, or water features in modern designs
•    Use them to connect different planting areas
•    Mix grasses with varied textures and colours for more interest
•    Let grasses spill over walls or containers for a soft, relaxed feel
Ornamental grasses offer endless design possibilities and just a few well-placed plants can completely transform your garden.

Conclusion

There is no doubt -  ornamental grasses can elevate any garden with minimal effort. Whether you're aiming for a modern, wildlife-friendly, or cottage-style garden, grasses can tie your planting together.
If you are thinking about buying ornamental grasses, visit us at Arundel Arboretum, Chichester, West Sussex, to explore a full range we offer. Or, order online from the comfort of your home. Our friendly team is always ready to help you make the perfect choice. Transform your garden, one beautiful grass at a time.