Ornamental grasses have several uses as functional landscape plants. Most ornamental grasses can stand alone when used as an accent plant or focal point, especially when plumes of several species are abundant. Plant 12 to 15 inches on center either as a mass planting or as a border. A native of Argentina and southern Brazil, Pampas grass was introduced to the United States in 1848. This showy, reed-like perennial plant belongs to the grass family, Graminaea.
Pampas grass is damaged all across the state by single-digit temperatures.
Plants grow upright in clumps of dense tufts with numerous long, narrow strap-like leaves. Pampas grass often reaches 20 ft in height. When viewed from a distance, the plant has a fountain-like appearance. These appear in late summer and early autumn. Pampas grass can grow on a wide variety of soils.