How 38 Different Borders Use Grasses to Create Movement
Grasses are an amazing way to add movement to borders without having to spend too much money. The other amazing thing with ornamental grasses is just how easy they are to grow. But knowing how to incorporate grasses into your borders can be a challenge.
That’s why I’ve picked out over 35 of the very best border designs that incorporate grasses in some way. Some borders will take a huge pampas grass and use it as a focal point, while others will just have texture and movement with the subtle addition of miscanthus.
How to Plant With Ornamental Grasses
- Blend Grasses with Loose, Flowing Planting: Combine upright grasses like Calamagrostis or Miscanthus with soft perennials such as echinacea, rudbeckia, or salvia. Airier grasses create movement while flowering companions provide color and contrast.
- Let Things Drift and Settle: Ornamental grasses shine in informal groupings. Plant in drifts and repeat them across the space to create rhythm. Leave some room for self-seeders as grasses pair great with verbena bonariensis or poppies that pop up naturally.
- Soften Paths with Grass Edges: Let tufts of grass spill over gravel or bark paths for a gentle, lived-in feel. The sway of tall stems alongside meandering walkways adds a sense of calm and curiosity.
- Anchor with Sculptural Accents: A weathered bench, stone feature, or rusted metal obelisk rising from a sea of grass can create focal points and balance the softness with something solid.
- Stick to Earthy Tones with Gentle Contrast: Think silvers, soft golds, greens, and dusky purples. Use bolder hues sparingly—perhaps a cluster of deep burgundy echinacea or fiery heleniums—to add seasonal sparks without overpowering the serene mood.
My Top Borders With Grasses
I’ve pulled together an extensive collection of ideas for you to take a look at below. If you see one you love, make sure you save it to Pinterest. And if you have any questions about any of the designs below then don’t forget to leave a comment at the end of the page:
1) Miscanthus and Panicum Backdrop
This garden shines with graceful Miscanthus sinensis and striking Panicum virgatum, creating a lush backdrop of soft greens and vibrant reds. For a similar look, mix tall grasses with colorful perennials and ensure good drainage for healthy growth.
2) Ornamental Grass and Perennial Pathway
The garden features graceful ornamental grasses like Miscanthus and Pennisetum, creating a soft, textured pathway that invites exploration. Pair these with colorful perennials for contrast and plant in drifts for a natural look.
3) Mediterranean Pathway with Ornamental Grasses
The garden features graceful Miscanthus sinensis and Festuca glauca, adding soft textures and movement along the pathway. For a similar look, mix these grasses with native plants and create cozy seating for relaxation.
4) Seating Surrounded By Grasses
Tall ornamental grasses like Miscanthus sinensis and Blue Fescue add texture and movement, creating a soft, inviting space. Pair these with low-maintenance plants and gravel for a clean, modern look that’s easy to care for.
5) Vibrant Ornamental Grass Garden Border
This garden features graceful Miscanthus sinensis and Pennisetum alopecuroides, creating a soft, flowing border that dances with the breeze. To replicate this look, mix these grasses with vibrant flowers like Verbena bonariensis for color and texture throughout the seasons.
6) Pampas Corner Accent
Tall pampas grass stands out beautifully, adding height and texture to the garden. Pair it with colorful perennials and low-maintenance shrubs for a vibrant, layered look.
7) Woodland Ornamental Grasses Pathway
Ornamental grasses like Carex and Festuca create a soft, flowing pathway that invites exploration while adding texture and movement. To replicate this look, mix different grass species and use stepping stones to guide the eye through your garden.
8) Colorful Ornamental Grass Border
This garden beautifully showcases Miscanthus sinensis and Pennisetum alopecuroides, creating a lush, textured look with vibrant greens and soft golden hues. To replicate this style, mix ornamental grasses with colorful perennials for year-round interest and easy maintenance.
9) Tranquil Grass-Lined Pathway
The soft textures of Miscanthus sinensis and Calamagrostis acutiflora create a relaxing vibe, perfectly complementing the sleek pathway. For a similar look, mix these grasses with colorful perennials and ensure a clear walking path through your garden.
10) Colorful Blooms On Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses like Pennisetum setaceum add height and movement, while vivid Impatiens create a stunning contrast with their bright blooms. For a similar look, mix textures and colors, layering grasses with vibrant flowers and ground covers.
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11) Ornamental Grass Ground Cover
This garden beautifully combines the soft textures of Pennisetum alopecuroides and the vibrant colors of flowering plants like Sedum and Echinacea. To achieve a similar look, mix ornamental grasses with colorful perennials for year-round interest and a natural feel.
12) Ornamental Grasses With an Urn
Ornamental grasses like Miscanthus and Panicum bring soft textures and movement, creating a serene atmosphere around a classic garden urn. For a similar look, mix different grass heights and add a few stone or terracotta accents for warmth.
13) Wild Ornamental Grass Garden Bed
The garden showcases stunning Miscanthus sinensis with its graceful plumes, offering a soft, flowing texture that dances in the breeze. Pair these with colorful perennials like Verbena bonariensis for added height and a vibrant splash, creating a lively yet serene space.
14) Suburban Patio With Grasses
Ornamental grasses like Blue Fescue and Japanese Blood Grass add soft textures and vibrant colors to the garden, creating a calming atmosphere. To achieve this look, mix different heights and colors of grasses with cozy seating and natural accessories for an inviting space.
15) Ornamental Grasses and Lavender
This garden features stunning ornamental grasses like Miscanthus and Panicum, paired beautifully with fragrant lavender for a soft, serene vibe. To recreate this look, mix textured grasses with low-maintenance perennials and consider adding a gravel pathway for a clean finish.
16) Sedum and Pampas
Tall pampas grass adds a striking vertical element, while the rich red blooms of Sedum provide vibrant color and texture at the base. To recreate this look, plant ornamental grasses like Cortaderia selloana alongside low-growing flowers for a balanced, eye-catching display.
17) Spears of Calamagrostis
Ornamental grasses like Calamagrostis acutiflora add height and movement, contrasting beautifully with colorful blooms like Rudbeckia and vibrant roses. For a similar look, mix textures and choose plants that thrive in your local climate for a lively garden scene.
18) Formal Grasses
The garden features striking Miscanthus sinensis and Pennisetum alopecuroides, adding texture and movement to the lush greenery. To achieve a similar look, mix these grasses with low-maintenance shrubs and colorful perennials for visual interest.
19) Lively Ornamental Grasses
This garden features stunning ornamental grasses like Miscanthus sinensis and Calamagrostis acutiflora, creating a beautiful texture contrast with vibrant flowering plants. To achieve a similar look, mix grasses with colorful perennials and ensure they have plenty of sunlight and space to thrive.
20) Modern Rock Garden with Grasses
This garden features elegant ornamental grasses like Calamagrostis acutiflora and Miscanthus sinensis, adding texture and movement. To achieve a similar look, mix these grasses with colorful ground covers and natural stone for a modern touch.
21) Pathway Through Ornamental Grasses
The soft, flowing textures of the ornamental grasses like Calamagrostis acutiflora and Muhlenbergia rigens create a serene pathway that invites exploration. Pair these with vibrant California poppies for a pop of color and use natural stone for a rustic touch.
22) Ornamental Grasses with Purple Blooms
Ornamental grasses like Calamagrostis acutiflora add texture and movement, while vibrant purple blooms from Nepeta create a stunning contrast. For a similar look, mix low-maintenance grasses with colorful perennials and use mulch for a clean finish.
23) Ornamental Grasses and Wildflowers
Ornamental grasses like Miscanthus sinensis and Panicum virgatum create a soft, flowing texture, perfectly paired with vibrant wildflowers such as Lobelia and Veronica. For a similar look, mix grasses with native wildflowers to attract pollinators and add seasonal interest.
24) Grass-Lined Gravel Trail
Ornamental grasses like Miscanthus sinensis create a lush border that adds texture and movement to your garden path. To achieve this look, plant in clusters and mix in some native shrubs for added depth and interest.
25) Ornamental Grass Garden Retreat
Tall Miscanthus sinensis and graceful Calamagrostis acutiflora create a serene retreat, blending soft textures with lush greenery. For a similar look, mix these grasses with colorful perennials and add cozy seating for relaxation.
26) Ornamental Grasses and Succulents
Ornamental grasses like Pennisetum alopecuroides add soft movement and texture, perfectly complementing the vibrant succulents and cheerful yellow blooms. To achieve this look, mix various heights and shapes of plants for visual interest and choose drought-tolerant species for easy care.
29) Naturalistic Ornamental Grass Meadow
The lush mix of Miscanthus sinensis and Panicum virgatum creates a soft, flowing texture that dances in the breeze. To replicate this look, plant in clusters for a natural feel and add pops of color with wildflowers.
34) Lush Lawn with Pampas Borders
The lush lawn paired with elegant Pampas grass creates a serene and inviting space, perfect for relaxation. To achieve this look, plant Cortaderia selloana in clusters along the edges, and keep the lawn well-maintained for a vibrant green backdrop.
35) Grass and Shrub Combo
This garden features elegant Miscanthus sinensis and Calamagrostis acutiflora, adding movement and texture with their soft, feathery plumes. Pair these with colorful shrubs like Berberis thunbergii for a vibrant contrast and easy care.
36) Ornamental Grasses with Boulders
Tall, fluffy fountain grasses add a soft touch, while warm boulders create a natural feel in the garden. To replicate this look, mix Pennisetum alopecuroides with decorative stones for texture and contrast.
37) Flowing Pathway
This garden features elegant Miscanthus sinensis and Calamagrostis acutiflora, creating a soft, flowing path that draws you in. To achieve this look, mix different heights and textures of ornamental grasses with gravel for a natural, inviting walkway.
38) Ornamental Grasses by Water Feature
Tall, graceful cattails add a lovely vertical element near the water feature, creating a serene and natural vibe. Pair them with ornamental grasses like blue fescue for contrasting textures and colors, ensuring a balanced and inviting space.
FAQs
Some favorites include fountain grass, blue fescue, feather reed grass, and switchgrass. These grasses are attractive, easy to grow, and come in a variety of heights and colors. Choose based on your climate, sunlight, and how tall you want them to grow.
Not really—they’re usually low-maintenance once established. Most just need a yearly trim in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. They’re also generally drought-tolerant and resistant to pests.
Some grasses can handle partial shade, like Japanese forest grass or tufted hair grass. However, many ornamental grasses prefer full sun. Check the plant label or description to make sure you’re choosing the right variety for your light conditions.