Here’s a list of the best ornamental grasses for your landscape:

1. Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora)

• Height: 3-5 feet
• Features: Upright, clump-forming grass with feathery, purplish plumes that turn golden as they mature.
• Best For: Adding vertical interest and structure to garden beds.

2. Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)

• Height: 2-4 feet
• Features: Graceful, arching foliage with fluffy, bottlebrush-like flower spikes that change color through the seasons.
• Best For: Softening hard edges and adding movement to the garden.

3. Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis)

• Height: 4-8 feet
• Features: Tall, arching blades with silvery-white flower plumes that persist into winter.
• Best For: Creating privacy screens or serving as a backdrop for shorter plants.

4. Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)

• Height: 6-12 inches
• Features: Compact, mounding grass with fine, blue-gray foliage.
• Best For: Edging pathways, rock gardens, and small spaces.

5. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

• Height: 3-6 feet
• Features: Upright, clumping grass with airy, pinkish-red seed heads that turn golden in the fall.
• Best For: Erosion control, naturalizing, and adding texture to mixed borders.

6. Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)

• Height: 12-24 inches
• Features: Low-growing, cascading grass with bright green, gold, or variegated foliage.
• Best For: Shaded areas, woodland gardens, and containers.

7. Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’)

• Height: 3-5 feet
• Features: Deep burgundy foliage and striking purple flower spikes.
• Best For: Adding color contrast and drama to garden beds and containers.

8. Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)

• Height: 2-3 feet
• Features: Fine-textured, green foliage with airy, pinkish-purple flower plumes in fall.
• Best For: Mass plantings, borders, and providing a splash of late-season color.

9. Silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’)

• Height: 4-7 feet
• Features: Narrow, arching leaves with silver midribs and delicate, fan-shaped flower plumes.
• Best For: Adding height and texture to landscapes, especially in the fall.

10. Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens)

• Height: 2-3 feet
• Features: Steel-blue foliage with spiky, upright growth and tall flower stalks in summer.
• Best For: Coastal gardens, rock gardens, and adding cool tones to plantings.

These ornamental grasses are versatile, easy to care for, and add year-round interest to any landscape.