Upright Ornamental Grasses for Narrow Borders

Ornamental grasses are a beautiful addition to your flower borders. They help other perennials stand out, make a border look more airy, and add movement to the garden. Many grasses are also ideal for adding height.

Many ornamental grasses grow quite large. They’re ideal for larger gardens, but less suitable for small gardens or narrow flower beds.

Which ornamental grass is suitable for a small garden?

The height of ornamental grasses isn’t usually a problem in a small garden. But taller ornamental grasses also tend to spread out quite widely. Just think of the man-high pampas grass. It’s beautiful, of course, with those large plumes, but a few years after planting, it will quickly spread to a meter or more in width.

In a small garden, it’s therefore best to choose ornamental grasses that grow upright and don’t hang over as much. This allows these ornamental grasses to look their best even in a narrow border.

Upright Ornamental Grasses (that require little space)

Calamagrostis (feather grass)

Calamagrostis is widely used in prairie gardens and sunny perennial borders. Its distinctive upright growth adds structure to your border. It blooms with long but narrow plumes.

• Calamagrostis acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (125 cm)

• Calamagrostis acutiflora ‘Overdam’ (125 cm)

• Calamagrostis acutiflora ‘Waldenbuch’ (150 cm)

Miscanthus (ornamental reed)

Miscanthus is one of the most elegant grasses available. Many varieties have a fairly upright growth habit. Starting in late summer, the characteristic and beautiful open plumes begin to form. Most Miscanthus varieties require a sunny spot. Be careful when choosing a variety, as Miscanthus can grow very tall (and large).

• Miscanthus sinensis ‘Afrika’ (125 cm)

• Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’ (125 cm)

• Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kleine Silberspinne’ (150 cm)

• Miscanthus sinensis ‘Malepartus’ (200 cm)

• Miscanthus sinensis ‘Malepartus Little’ (100 cm)

• Miscanthus sinensis ‘Red Chief’ (100 cm)

Molinia (purple moor grass)

• Molinia caerulea ‘Heidebraut’ (100 cm)

• Molinia caerulea ‘Moorhexe’ (100 cm)

Imperata cylindrica (Japanese bloodgrass)

Japanese blood grass is a unique and striking variety of grass. The more sun it gets, the redder its color becomes. Imperata is not fully hardy, and its leaves die back in the winter (only to reappear in the spring).

• Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’ (50 cm)

Panicum (finger grass)

Many Panicum species grow in a nice, upright, compact manner and have airy inflorescences. This ornamental grass is also becoming increasingly common in prairie gardens. In Dutch, several names are used for it, including “finger grass,” “thread millet,” and “pearl millet.”

• Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ (125 cm)

• Panicum virgatum ‘Heiliger Hain’ (110 cm)

• Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ (150 cm)

• Panicum virgatum ‘Rehbraun’ (100 cm)