Non-Invasive Grasses
Non-Invasive High-Impact Grasses
Most ornamental grasses are prime in summer and a perfect fit for our region. But before you start shopping, read through our list below for commonly-known invasive grasses, along with our recommendations for substitutes. Our suggestions are typically low maintenance, water-wise and deer resistant. In addition, we've provided more grass options that just look great in any landscape. Nothing here suits your style? Take a stroll through our nursery, where you'll find many more varieties, sizes, colors, and shapes to choose from.
Invasive: Green Fountain Grass
Non-Invasive: Red Fountain Grass
- Deciduous grass with a full, clumping habit
- Graceful, deep purple leaves
- Feathery dark pink flower heads rise above foliage in summer, and become tan with age
- Use in a container or as a landscape plant
- 4’-5’ tall | 3’-4’ spread
- Full sun
- Water-wise, Deer resistant
A good alternative to invasive Green Fountain Grass.
Invasive: Mexican Feather Grass
Non-Invasive: Maiden Grass
- Perennial grass with a broadly arching habit moves with the breeze
- Soft, feathery plumes appear from summer into fall
- Use in large containers or in the landscape
- 4’-6’ tall | 3'-4'’ spread
- Full sun to partial shade
A bit taller, but a good alternative to invasive Mexican Feather Grass.
Invasive: Pampas Grass
Non-Invasive: Deer Grass
- Native, perennial grass
- Bright green leaves form a dense, tight clump
- Upright, slender yellow or purplish flower spikes in fall rise two feet above foliage
- Great container plant
- 2’-4’ tall | 2’-4’ spread
- Full sun
- Water-wise, deer resistant
A good alternative to invasive Pampas Grass.
More Noteworthy Non-Invasive Grasses to Add Interest
Feather Reed Grass ‘Karl Foerster’
- Perennial grass with an erect, arching, clumping habit
- Bright green, narrow leaves
- In late spring, purple-tinted flower emerge on six-foot stalks, turning golden in fall
- Use as fillers for texture contrast
- 3’-5’ tall | 2’-3’ spread
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water-wise, deer resistant
Mat Rush ‘Platinum Beauty’
- Evergreen, grass-like plant with an arching, clumping habit
- Graceful leaves are mint green with vertical cream striping
- Use as a border plant, in a container, or as a mass planting
- 2’-3’ tall | 2’-3’ spread
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water-wise, deer resistant
Orange Sedge
- Evergreen perennial with a weeping, clumping habit
- Fine foliage of green to coppery brown with hints of orange in fall and winter
- Insignificant brown flower spikes in summer
- Use in containers, rock gardens, borders, edging, groundcover
- 2’ tall | 3’ spread
- Full sun to partial shade
- Moderate water, deer resistant
Pink Muhly Grass
- Perennial grass with a tall, mounding habit
- Dark pink feathery plumes rise above foliage in late summer
- Commonly known as "cotton candy grass”
- Use in containers, massed or individually in the landscape
- 3’ tall | 6’ spread
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water-wise, deer resistant
