Maintaining a landscape can be a drain of both environmental and monetary resources. One of the best things you can do is to design a landscape that requires less water to maintain and flourish. Here’s a look at a range of ornamental grasses that need much less water to survive and do well.

The Best Drought Tolerant Ornamental Grasses

By Glory Lennon

The intelligent gardener knows the Ornamental grass can be used to provide movement and contrast in a perennial border, winter interest in the landscape when all else is gone and instant “walls” for separating garden rooms. Truly there is nothing as versatile in the yard than the ornamental grass. If , however, you live in a very dry climate you’ll need grasses which can hold up under such dry conditions. Therefore you might want to take a look at this list of the best drought resistant ornamental grasses.

Bamboo Muhly (Muhlenbergia dumosa).

Originating from Arizona and Mexico, this 3-6 foot tall grass looks similar to bamboo hence its common name. It has narrow foliage and insignificant flowers formed on branching clusters grow on slim, woody stems. Requires well draining soil, loves heat and resists drought. Hardy in USDA Zones 8-11 and prefers it in full sun but can take dapple shade where temperatures and the sun are scorching.

Festuca glauca “Elijah Blue”.

Blue powder puff clumps look fantastic in rock gardens. Grows up to a foot high and spread readily. Great for ground cover on sun drenched dry, sloping areas.

Oriental Fountain Grass (Pennisetum orientale).

Hardy in Zones 5-10 this 2-3 foot tall plant sports white plumes in mid-summer cascading along with the foliage like a fountain, hence the name. Pretty year round but especially in winter because it keeps its shape and flowers throughout.

Little Blue Stem (Schizachyrium scoparium).

Cold hardy all the way to Zone 3, this grass boosts upright growing foliage in a greyish blue tinged green. Flowers are great for indoor arrangements. Especially effective in mass planting on wind swept hills. Perfect for the wildflower or meadow garden.

Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris).

From Texas to North Carolina along the coastal plains this 2 foot high grass finds its roots, figuratively speaking. The flower plumes in a reddish purple color bring the height up to 1-3 feet high. Olive green stems form dense clumps. Extremely tolerant of salt and does great preventing erosion on sand dunes.

White Pampas Grass (Cordateria selloana).

Impressive large clumps of gracefully arching leaves grow 6-10 feet tall in bloom, flower plumes are huge and snowy white. Great for indoor arrangements. Awesome for back of the border or for defining garden rooms.

Dwarf Bamboo “Sunset Glow” (Fargesia “Rufa”)

Hardy in Zones 5-8 makes this non-invasive Bamboo very desirable for the northern gardener. Canes are orange-red in color and the foliage is a light green that almost glows in the sun. This tough, rapid growing plant can make a good 8 foot high hedge or screen.

Japanese Blood Grass ( Imperata cylindrica “Rubra”)

As the name implies this grass growing upright, open and 12-18 inches high, sports red blades making an outstanding perennial in any landscape. Perfect for the rock garden. Hardy in USDA Zones 5-10.

Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis “Gracillimus”)

Hardy in zones 4-9, 5-6 feet tall has graceful slender foliage in a medium green with a white stripe running down the center of each leaf. Blooms are silvery white or pinkish in color. Great for informal hedges or back of the border.

Any one of these beautiful ornamental grasses will thrive in the driest of landscapes and look good doing it. Try some and see your garden come alive with movement and color. Isn’t that exactly what you were looking for?

Author Glory Lennon Resource: For amusing short stories visit http://www.helium.com/users/32782. For an intriguing novelette-in-progress visit: http://www.myspace.com/glorygarden.

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