Ornamental Grasses for Containers

Top Ten Ornamental Grasses for Growing in Containers

By Marie Iannotti

As grasses become garden staples, they are also finding their way into more and more containers. Growing ornamental grasses in containers is a great way to feature grasses without the worry of them spreading or taking over the garden. Container grown ornamental grasses are also much easier to divide.
The downside is that when growing grasses in containers, their hardiness is raised by about 2 zones. An ornamental grass hardy to Zone 5, when planted in the ground, will probably only survive to Zone 7 in a pot. The actual hardiness of ornamental grasses grown in containers depends upon the location and material of the container and the very variable weather fluctuations of the winter months. However, you can always grow container ornamental grasses as annuals. (Zones listed here are for ground grown plants.)

Here are my top ten picks for ornamental grasses grown in containers:

1. Blue Lyme Grass (Leymus arenarius) Leymus can spread too quickly in a garden bed. Planted in a container you still get the imposing sword shaped leaves that bend as they grow tall and the spiky flower heads.Zones 4 - 9

2. Blue Oat Grass (Helichtrichon sempervivens) Containers of Helichtrichon bring a cooling blue-gray to the garden as well as a gentle rustling sound and reach-out-and-touch texture. Zones 4 - 9

3. Red/Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum') Fountain grass is a natural for containers, filling the pot with its arching habit. The rich, burgundy color of 'Rubrum' has made it a favorite even where it's an annual. Zones 9 - 10. Others to try include: P. 'Burgundy Giant' and P. orientale (Oriental fountain grass, Zones 7 - 9)

4. Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'). It seems everyone wants Hakone grass once they see it. If you don't have the moist, partially shaded conditions it thrives in, try growing it in a pot. Zones 5 - 9

5. Bamboo Muhly (Muhlenbergia dumosa) This southwest native, got the name 'Bamboo Muhly' because of it's notched stems and feathery, bamboo like foliage. It thrives in sun and heat and can take a bit of neglect in a container. Zones 8 - 11

6. Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'). Karl has wonderful, tall flower plumes that create an eye catching focal point when grown in a container. Although feather reed grass needs a bit of protection from the hot sun, it can survive winters in containers down to zone 6. Zones 5 - 9

7. Leather Leaf Sedge (Carex buchananii). Sedges don't get the notice they deserve, but grown in containers, their bronze tinged leaves gleam in the sun while the narrow blades pickup the slightest breeze. Zones 6 - 9

8. Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'). One of the most popularly grown grasses does just as well in containers. The airy growth habit has a softening effect and the white on the leaf margins brightens. Other good choices include: M. s. 'Variegatus', M. s. 'Autumn Morning' and M. s. condensatus 'Cosmopolitan'. Zones 4 - 9

9. Japanese Sweet Flag (Acorus gramineus 'Ogon'). Sometimes a container calls for something short. At a foot or less, Sweet Flag adds beautiful gold color and the familiar sweet scent. Needs water and some shade when grown in a container. Zones 10 - 11

10. New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax and P. hybrids). Phormiums are frequently used and seldom recognized. For spiky, sword-like form and a variety of colors, including greens, reds, copper and yellow, they are perhaps the most versatile container grass-like plant to design with.