Ornamental grasses bring movement, texture, and effortless beauty to any garden. Whether swaying in the breeze or standing tall as a striking focal point, these versatile plants create a natural elegance that works in any landscape.
From modern minimalist designs to wild, prairie-inspired spaces, this collection of 50 breathtaking gardens will inspire you to incorporate ornamental grasses into your own outdoor oasis.
1. Coastal Beach Grass Garden
A breezy coastal retreat featuring swaying beach grasses, sea oats, and blue fescue, set against white sand and driftwood benches. A soft pebble pathway leads toward the water, evoking a serene seaside atmosphere. Enhance the look with weathered wooden planters, rope fencing, and seashell accents.
2. Cottage-Style Secret Garden with Ornamental Grasses
A cozy hidden garden where fluffy deschampsia, soft sedges, and airy stipa weave through flowering shrubs. Rustic wooden benches tucked into quiet corners offer a peaceful escape. Pair with vintage lanterns, climbing roses, and moss-covered stepping stones for an enchanting feel.
3. Enchanting Moon Garden with White-Toned Ornamental Grasses
A dreamlike evening garden illuminated by silvery-white grasses like variegated miscanthus and white pampas grass. Pale flowering perennials glow under the moonlight, creating an ethereal atmosphere. Enhance the setting with soft lantern lighting, stone pathways, and a quiet seating area.
4. English Cottage Garden with Ornamental Grasses
A romantic, flower-filled garden blending soft pink muhly grass, delicate miscanthus, and airy deschampsia with fragrant roses, foxgloves, and peonies. Winding stone pathways enhance the dreamy cottage aesthetic. Complete the look with vintage garden gates and wrought-iron seating.
5. European-Inspired Gravel Garden with Ornamental Grasses
A sophisticated dry garden with fine-leaved fescues and airy stipa set among sculptural topiaries and warm-toned gravel. Mediterranean herbs like thyme and rosemary add fragrance. Enhance the structured beauty with terracotta planters, sleek stone pathways, and classical urns.
6. Hillside Garden with Cascading Ornamental Grasses
A terraced hillside adorned with cascading swathes of miscanthus and feathery pennisetum, interwoven with wildflowers. Rustic wooden steps wind through the landscape, creating a dynamic, natural flow. Pair with boulder accents, driftwood sculptures, and soft outdoor lighting.
7. Japanese Zen Garden with Ornamental Grasses
A tranquil Zen garden where lush green hakonechloa grasses sway gently between smooth raked gravel and sculpted boulders. A peaceful wooden bridge leads through the landscape. Enhance the meditative atmosphere with stone lanterns, bamboo water features, and minimalist benches.
8. Mediterranean Garden with Ornamental Grasses
A sun-drenched Mediterranean garden featuring drought-tolerant stipa gigantea and festuca, interwoven with lavender, rosemary, and silvery olive trees. A terracotta-tiled path guides the way. Add rustic pottery, aged wooden furniture, and climbing grapevines for a relaxed coastal charm.
9. Minimalist Japanese Courtyard with Ornamental Grasses
A serene courtyard where neatly clipped fountain grass grows among smooth white pebbles and sculptural boulders. A small wooden bridge spans a dry stream bed, adding to the tranquil ambiance. Pair with neutral stone accents, bonsai trees, and modern lanterns.
10. Modern Courtyard Garden with Ornamental Grasses
A geometric courtyard framed by neatly arranged Japanese blood grass, architectural stone slabs, and corten steel planters. The structured layout contrasts beautifully with the soft movement of grasses. Complete the look with sleek outdoor seating and warm ambient lighting.
11. Modern Desert Garden with Ornamental Grasses
A striking arid garden where sculptural blue oat grass and red fountain grass are arranged among large rocks, succulents, and cacti. The bold, structured design pairs well with terracotta tiles, low-water stone planters, and contemporary outdoor furniture.
12. Modern Minimalist Garden with Ornamental Grasses
A sleek contemporary garden where soft waves of Mexican feather grass, compact blue fescue, and golden Japanese forest grass sway against white gravel paths and sculptural stone elements. Minimalist benches and subtle lighting complete the sophisticated aesthetic.
13. Monochrome Garden with Silver and Blue Ornamental Grasses
A serene garden designed with silver-toned grasses like blue fescue and festuca glauca, creating a calming atmosphere. White flowering perennials contrast with grey-toned gravel paths. Add reflective water features, minimalist planters, and sculptural seating for a refined touch.
14. Pathway-Lined Garden with Flowing Ornamental Grasses
A winding gravel pathway framed by golden moor grass, rustling miscanthus, and wispy blue fescue, weaving through a romantic cottage garden. Enhance the setting with hand-carved wooden trellises, rustic arbors, and delicate wildflowers.
15. Prairie-Inspired Garden with Tall Grasses
A sprawling prairie-style garden filled with billowing switchgrass, big bluestem, and goldenrod, creating a natural meadow effect. Rustic wooden fences and natural stone borders blend seamlessly with the untamed beauty. Add a weathered barn door entrance and wooden footbridges for an authentic touch.
16. Rain Garden with Ornamental Grasses
A sustainable rain garden featuring water-loving grasses like carex and rushes, interwoven with irises, cattails, and natural stone pathways. Designed to channel rainwater, this eco-friendly space pairs beautifully with large boulders and reclaimed wood elements.
17. Serene Woodland Garden with Soft Ornamental Grasses
A natural woodland setting where feathery sedges and Japanese forest grass grow among moss-covered stones. Surrounded by ferns and flowering dogwood trees, this tranquil retreat is perfect for meditation. Enhance the lush feel with a rustic wooden swing, winding pathways, and dappled lighting.
18. Tropical Garden with Ornamental Grasses
A lush tropical paradise filled with dramatic purple fountain grass, towering miscanthus, and flowing sedges, interwoven with banana plants and ferns. This jungle-like escape pairs well with bamboo furniture, woven lanterns, and a thatched-roof garden hut.
19. Urban Rooftop Garden with Ornamental Grasses
A stylish rooftop retreat where large steel planters overflow with fountain grass, carex, and blue fescue. Minimalist outdoor furniture and panoramic city views create a sleek, modern feel. Add soft outdoor lighting and a fire pit for a cozy yet contemporary touch.
20. Wild Meadow Garden with Ornamental Grasses
A naturalistic, cottage-style meadow filled with swaying miscanthus, panicum, and pink muhly grass. Wildflowers such as echinacea, black-eyed Susans, and daisies bloom along a soft dirt path. Enhance the setting with handwoven willow fences, wooden gates, and a hidden reading nook.
More Gardens with Ornamental Grasses
