15 Evergreen Grasses for Your Landscape

The term “grass” has a few meanings! It most often refers to grass-like plants with long, narrow leaves that look like lances or blades. Many gardeners refer to common perennials as grasses if they have similar characteristics, like long foliage or fluffy seed structures. 

Though this term refers to many grass-like species, it also has a specific, botanical meaning. In botany and horticulture, true grass denotes non-woody species in the family Poaceae. The family contains about 12,000 species that grow all over the world.

We include true grasses and grass-like plants on this list; the most important factor is that they’re evergreen. Evergreen grasses grow arching foliage year-round, meaning you don’t have to worry about them dying back in winter. They offer decorative seed pods, colorful leaf blades, and stunning statures wherever they thrive.

Blue Grama Grass

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Bunny Tails Grass

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Frosted Explosion Grass

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Big Sacaton

	botanical name Sporobolus wrightii
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-8’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Native species are the best options for North American gardens—they live and grow in the wild without extra care. Because of their resilience, they make excellent landscape specimens. Big sacaton is no different! It’s a giant, evergreen grass that reaches eight feet tall in maturity.

In zones 5 through 8 this plant may turn semi-evergreen in winter. The leaf blades respond to extreme cold by turning yellow and brown. Don’t worry though, as new growth emerges in spring to replace the dead foliage.

If you like adding charm to your home, Big Sacaton provides decorative seed heads that look superb in dry floral arrangements. Bunch them together in a vase or set them against a wall. After their flowers fade, the seed heads appear on the plants at the end of summer. 

Slough Sedge

	botanical name Carex obnupta
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-4’
	hardiness zones 6-9

Carex obnupta, or western slough sedge, is a Pacific Northwest native sedge that thrives in wet regions. You’ll see it growing wild on stream and river banks, lakesides, and coastal sites. Though not a true grass, the foliage looks grassy and works well as a substitute. 

This slough sedge needs lots of direct sunlight, consistent moisture, and good airflow to thrive. In spring, flowers emerge with dusty pollen. After successful pollination, they form seed heads with nutritious seeds. The seeds feed native birds, and the mature sedge stands provide habitat space for ducks. 

Another plant known as slough sedge is Carex exilis. This grass-like species is native to the eastern U.S. and Canada and is more deciduous than evergreen. Though it’s a good choice for cold regions in the East, it won’t stay green during the winter as Carex obnupta does. 

Carex ‘Evergold’

	botanical name Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 1’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Another sedge perfect for home landscapes, Carex ‘Evergold’ grows leaf blades with yellow-white centers and deep green margins. Unlike most grassy plants, this sedge variety prefers growing in partially shady conditions with a few hours of direct sunlight. It has better color under partial shade than full sun. 

Though evergreen in warm regions, this sedge may enter dormancy in frosty areas with cold winters. If you notice the leaves dying back in winter, cut them off in late winter after they die completely. New growth emerges in spring from underground rhizomes. You can dig up the clumps and divide them in fall or spring. 

Soft Rush

	botanical name Juncus effusus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-4’
	hardiness zones 4-10

Rushes are like sedges—they aren’t true grasses, but they look like them. Rushes have cylindrical stems that resemble grass blades. They’re exceptionally cold-hardy and evergreen in warm climates. I have a few scattered around my yard in zone 8 and they stay evergreen despite recurring frosts.

Rushes are native to much of the world, from North America to South America, and across the oceans from Europe to Asia. They need consistently moist soil to thrive and perform their best in marsh or wetland environments. Soft rushes tolerate standing water, making them perfect for swale plantings in areas with constant rainfall. 

American Sweet Flag

	botanical name Acorus americanus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 1-6

This evergreen perennial isn’t a true grass, though it looks like one! American sweet flag is one of the most frost-hardy species on this list. It thrives in wet, moist regions from USDA hardiness zones 1 through 6. You’ll often see its lime-green foliage decorating the rims of ponds, lakes, and streams.

Sweet flag earns its name for the subtle, soft scent it emits when you crush the foliage. The aroma smells like citrus! 

Like rush, this species prefers consistent moisture to thrive. It grows well in freshwater areas throughout the northern U.S. and Canada. Though widespread, American sweet flag populations are in decline! Plant this native perennial in your yard to help it make a comeback.

Creeping Lily Turf

	botanical name Liriope spicata
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 6-18”
	hardiness zones 4-10

Creeping lily turf plants, like sedges and rushes, resemble grasses though they’re not in the Poaceae family. They’re actually in the asparagus family, Asparagaceae! Short, squat leaf blades emerge in clumps from these plants. They have rhizomes underneath the soil that help them stay strong and hardy despite adverse weather.

Creeping lily turf is popular for landscaping projects, which means you’ll find it commonly available in plant nurseries, garden centers, and online retailers. Many gardeners love its perky foliage and purple-white flower spikes. After successful pollination and fertilization, the purple blossoms evolve into black fruits with seeds.

Though gorgeous, this tough species is invasive in some regions. If you live in Georgia, Tennessee, or nearby states where this perennial escapes cultivation and spreads to wild spaces, consider planting alternatives.

Black Mondo Grass

	botanical name Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-12”
	hardiness zones 6-9

Black mondo grass is another evergreen grassy lookalike! It’s also a member of the asparagus family, Asparagaceae. It sprouts clumps of black leaves in rosettes that stand out in landscapes with lots of bright green hues. The black and green colors complement each other.

After the days lengthen and warm in spring, white flowers emerge from the center of the black clumps. Purple berries develop from fertilized flowers. You may propagate more plants with the berries, or let existing clumps spread and divide them in the fall. 

Pampas Grass

	botanical name Cortaderia selloana
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-12’
	hardiness zones 6-10

Pampas grass is gigantic. The foliage reaches epic proportions of 12 feet tall, though the feathery seed plumes can extend higher than 12 feet! The rough leaves grow off of clumps that grow taller each year. They’re long and thin with serrated edges on one side. Be careful when handling them, as they can cut into your skin. 

Like creeping lily turf, this species is invasive in some areas of North America. It originates from South America where natural conditions and environments limit its rampant spread. In states like California, Oregon, and Washington, it can escape cultivation and displace native plant species in wild areas. Consider planting alternatives if you live in these regions.

Blue Oat Grass

	botanical name Helictotrichon sempervirens
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Blue hues are necessary for garden design. They complement various shades of green and contrast well with the brown and gray colors of the soil. Blue oat grass is one of the best blue-hued grasses. It’s sturdy, hardy, and perky, growing tall amidst other perennials and shrubs. 

Though it’s native to regions of Europe, this species isn’t invasive in North America. It behaves well in gardens and rarely escapes cultivation. Plant it in rows or edges to make formal borders, or scatter specimens around the yard in a natural style.

Blue Fescue

	botanical name Festuca glauca
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-12”
	hardiness zones 4-9

Blue fescue is similar to blue oat grass, but its leaves are dainty and thin rather than erect and stiff. Small specimens gradually mature to a foot tall and a foot or more wide. Their blue-green leaves turn a brighter blue in winter in response to cold weather.

Blue fescue may die out after a few years or decline in quality. You can keep your specimens growing well by dividing them every two to three years. The divisions grow into larger clumps that you can divide again after a few years, creating an endless supply of blue fescue!

Mexican Feather Grass

	botanical name Nassella tenuissima
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 7-10

Mexican feather grass is indeed feathery! Its soft foliage is daintier than other grasses, and its seed heads are feathery plumes. Semi-evergreen, this species stays evergreen in warm zones but dies back a bit during winter in zones 7 and 8. Give specimens extra protection in cold months with a two to three-inch thick layer of compost over their roots.

This native U.S. species thrives in states like New Mexico and Texas, though it’s invasive in some areas of California. Consider alternatives like California fescue, or cut the seed heads off the plants before they spread into local environments. The seed plumes appear in late summer and early fall. 

Slender Veldt Grass

	botanical name Cenchrus sphacelatus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-4’
	hardiness zones 7-11

Slender veldt grass is a popular evergreen species in warm regions of the U.S. It’s medium-sized, staying under four feet tall with its erect seed heads. Though it originates from southeastern countries in Africa, it excels in North American regions with similar conditions. 

This perennial sprouts narrow, thin green foliage close to the ground. In summer, long, erect flowers emerge on thin stems. With the right lighting, they look as if they dance above the foliage when winds go by! 

African Fountain Grass

	botanical name Cenchrus setaceus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-4’
	hardiness zones 9-11

African fountain grass grows well as an annual in cold regions. It’s an evergreen perennial in warm climates, staying purple and green all year. The leaf blades emerge green at first before maturing to a lovely maroon. In summer, tall, feathery seed spikes emerge that look like cattails. Kids love playing with them!

Because of its annual tendencies, African fountain grass tends to reseed readily in conducive environments. Prevent reseeding by cutting off the flowers before they turn into seeds, or by pulling up the seedlings and throwing them in hot compost. 

Giant Feather Grass

	botanical name Celtica gigantea
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-8’
	hardiness zones 5-8

Giant feather grass is another tall specimen like the big sacaton. Though not native to North America, it grows well in a wide range of temperate climates in the states. Like Mexican feather grass, this species sprouts thin, feathery foliage. It reaches around six feet tall, and the flower spikes can reach two feet taller than the foliage. 

Giant feather grass prefers consistent moisture in garden settings. Established clumps are drought-hardy, though they’ll suffer if they endure long droughts and excessively high temperatures. Grant your plants afternoon shade in warm regions. 

Magellan Wheatgrass

	botanical name Elymus magellanicus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 5-8

Rounding out this list is Magellan wheatgrass, a gorgeous specimen that shines under direct sunlight. Its bluish foliage is similar in color to blue fescue. Many cultivars, like ‘Blue Tango,’ offer deeper blue colors than the species.