Gardeners beware though, because this plant can be invasive and will crowd out some of the less aggressive perennials. In the perennial border there are all sizes and shapes of ornamental grasses which are suitable. The flower heads are beautiful in late summer and the foliage is impressive in the fall. Grasses will work well in specialty gardens such as rock gardens, Japanese gardens or cutting gardens. It is best grown in groups of 12 or more and forms a scarlet band about 12 inches high.
Annual grasses are easy to grow from seed and are excellent components for the cutting garden.
The variability in growth habit must be considered when selecting ornamental grasses. Clump forming grasses will look peculiar if used in groups since they will never form a dense ground cover. These are best used as specimens or planted amongst spreading plants. Spreading varieties will tend to out compete their neighbours unless they are kept in check. For the natural garden, native grasses are becoming increasingly available.