Looking for ornamental grass for your landscape that will give interesting foliage displays? Pampas grass, sea oats, sand cordgrass, and Gulf muhlygrass are all good choices for drought tolerant grass that will make for a great display. All information on planting info, descriptions, and aspects of the plants come from information gathered at Floridata.com.
Pampas Grass
Pampas grass, or Cortaderia selloana, is a fast growing perennial that is easy to grow and is evergreen. It is tough and durable, as well as one of the best known ornamental grasses in commercial production. It grows 12 feet high and 6 feet wide with narrow leaves that grow in a clump. Flowers are white plumes that sprout higher than the foliage. Leaves turn gold-brown in winter.
It's best to plant pampas grass in well-drained soil. It will tolerate drought and sand. They prefer full sun but tolerate partial shade. Propagate by division or seed in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 10. Leaf edges can be sharp and injure.
Gulf Muhlygrass
Gulf muhlygrass, or Muhlenbergia capillaris, is another easy growing ornamental grass that is perennial. It grows 3 feet high and 3 feet wide in a clump form. Leaves are like wires and have purple flower heads. Flower heads appear in late summer and typically last about two months. The seed after flowering give the plant a tan color.
Gulf muhlygrass should be planted in full sun or partial shade in any type of soil. Propagate by clump division or by seed in USDA hardiness zones of 5 though 10.
Sea Oats
Sea oats, also known as Uniola paniculata, is a perennial drought tolerant grass. It grows 6 feet tall with long leaves and flat yellow seedheads. It should be planted in full or partial sun with moist sandy soil (it will tolerate drought).
In the winter, cut back to the ground for spring regrowth. Propagate by rhizome division or by seed in USDA hardiness zones of 6 through 10. It is a protected plant in the states of Georgia and Florida.
Sand Cordgrass
Sand cordgrass, also called Spartina bakeri, is a drought tolerant grass. It grows 4 to 6 feet high with rolled leaves and clusters of stems. It will be green in the warmth of summer and tan in the winter. Leaves feel a bit like sandpaper to the touch. Plant sand cordgrass in full sun in moist sandy soil, however, it is drought tolerant. Propagate by root division in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 10.
These four choices are nice specimens for various types of conditions. They all have interesting foliage features such as color changes and specific textures.
Tina Samuels - Tina Samuels specializes in health, animal, and gardening articles. She authored "A Georgia Native Plant Guide".
