Many of the ornamental grasses available in the nursery trade are perennial, however there are a number of annual ornamental grasses. Some of the perennials are maiden grass (Miscanthus), feather reed grass (Calamagrostis), blue oat grass (Helictotrichon), hardy plume grass (Erianthis or Saccharum) and switch grass (Panicum). Fountain grass has both annual and perennial representatives. Dwarf fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) is a perennial. Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum – P.rupellii) is an annual. Other annual ornamental grasses include feather top (Pennisetum villosum), pink crystals ruby grass (Melinis nerviglumis) and lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus).
For more information, please see the PlantTalk script "Ornamental grasses."
