Dried grasses have many decorative uses indoors and out. Grasses can be used as groundcovers, specimen plants, for erosion control, and as transitional elements. This fact sheet presents ornamental grasses adapted to the Rocky Mountain region. Listings are for USDA hardiness zones 5 and lower. Some popular, tender grasses grown as annuals also are listed.
Grasses are useful in different types of landscapes, including native, plains and meadow.
They add variety to many types of Gardens, including water, Japanese, rock, wildlife, craft, xeriscape, container and others. Plant ornamental grasses in the spring. Fall planting generally has proved marginally successful. Most grasses can benefit from mulching and many from cutting back, usually just before new growth begins in the spring. Use hedge shears and wear gloves to prevent cuts from the razor-sharp edges of some species.