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dwarf ornamental grasses

Dwarf ornamental grasses are the perfect way to bring year-round charm, texture, and movement to your garden without overwhelming smaller spaces. These compact beauties offer all the advantages of ornamental grasses—soft arching foliage, gentle sounds in the breeze, low maintenance needs—in a petite package ideal for garden beds, borders, containers, and even as attractive ground cover. Whether you're seeking ground-hugging tufts or finely textured mounds, there's a dwarf ornamental grass to suit every landscape style, from native-inspired designs to formal or contemporary settings.

Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.

Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically grows to 15 cm tall and the same width. Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is best showcased with a mass planting and is commonly added to rock gardens, used in borders, grown as a groundcover, planted around outdoor living areas, or maintained in a container.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 15 cm
Spread: 15 cm
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Ophiopogon planiscapus (Mondo Grass) with lush green foliage growing as a ground cover.

Ophiopogon planiscapus

Ophiopogon planiscapus, commonly known as Dwarf Lilyturf, is a Mondo grass grown for its fine, dark green foliage and short stature. The foliage is complemented with flower spikes in summer, which bear tiny, lilac flowers as it grows to 20 cm tall and 30 cm wide. Ophiopogon planiscapus is best showcased in mass plantings and is commonly added to rock gardens, used in borders, grown as a ground cover, planted around outdoor living areas, or simply maintained in a container.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 20 cm
Spread: 30 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
cyperus-papyrus-nana-3

Cyperus papyrus Nana (Dwarf Papyrus)

Cyperus papyrus Nana, the Dwarf Papyrus, is a perennial grass with bright green leaves and distinctive umbrella-like flower sprays in summer. Growing...

From$20.18
Ophiopogon japonicus (Green Mondo Grass) growing as a groundcover in a woodland garden.

Ophiopogon japonicus

Ophiopogon japonicus, commonly known as green Mondo Grass, is a striking ornamental grass. It grows as a clump and produces a dense tuft of...

From$10.73
Lomandra Little Pal plants with lush green foliage.

Lomandra Little Pal

Lomandra Little Pal is a compact ornamental grass grown for its fine, green-yellow foliage and tidy, rounded form. Growing to approximately 60 cm in...

From$16.13
isolepsis-cernua-1

Isolepis cernua (Fiber-Optic Grass)

Isolepsis cernua (aka Scirpus cernua), commonly known as Fiber Optic Grass, grows as a tidy clump to about 25 cm tall and the same wide with green...

From$16.13
A Pittosporum 'Midget' plant in a garden.

Pittosporum 'Midget' (Dwarf Pittosporum)

Pittosporum 'Midget' is a dwarf variety that features foliage made up of small, fresh green leaves. The foliage is complemented with small, purple...

From$40.43
Lomandra 'Misty Green' plants with cascading green foliage growing a bank.

Lomandra Misty Green

Lomandra Misty Green is an ornamental grass with delicate, dark green foliage and a tidy, rounded form. Growing to about 40 cm in height and width...

From$20.93
juncus-blue-dart-

Juncus Blue Dart (Blue Rush)

Juncus Blue Dart is a popular ornamental grass that features rigid leaves that are a fantastic shade of blue. It typically grows to 30 cm tall and...

From$17.89
Carex flagellifera Green plant with lush and colourful foliage.

Carex flagellifera Green

Carex flagellifera Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, green leaves as it grows to...

From$13.43
pittosporum-small-ball-

Pittosporum Small Ball (Dwarf Pittosporum)

Pittosporum Small Ball is a dwarf variety grown for its glossy, olive-green leaves which are held densely. This evergreen grows with a ball shape to...

From$25.58
Zebra grass (Miscanthus 'Zebrinus') leaves with cream and green stripes.

Miscanthus 'Zebrinus'

Miscanthus 'Zebrinus' (Zebra Grass) is a striking ornamental grass recognised for its bold horizontal yellow banding across arching green leaves...

From$21.53
Hakonechloa albostriata plant with variegated foliage.

Hakonechloa macra 'Albostriata'

Hakonechloa macra 'Albostriata', commonly known as Japanese Forest Grass, is a stunning ornamental grass. It features variegated green foliage with...

From$22.88
Lomandra Shara displaying fabulous blue-green foliage and growing beside a gravel path.

Lomandra Shara

Lomandra Shara is an ornamental grass renowned for its delicate, dark green foliage and graceful arching form. Reaching approximately 60 cm in height...

From$20.18
festuca-banks-peninsula-blue-1

Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' (Blue Fescue Grass)

Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' is a striking ornamental grass valued for its fine, steel blue foliage that forms neat, compact clumps. This hardy...

From$14.18
helicotrichon-sempervirens-3

Helictotrichon sempervirens (Blue Oatgrass)

Helictotrichon sempervirens, commonly known as Blue Oatgrass, is a lovely and popular ornamental grass featuring distinct, blue foliage. It grows as...

From$16.88
Dactylis glomerata plant with a cat.

Dactylis glomerata (Cat Grass)

Dactylis glomerata, commonly known as Cat Grass or Catnip Grass, is a popular grass that is loved by cats. It features flowing, green foliage held as...

From$21.53
Libertia paniculata plant with white flowers.

Libertia paniculata (Grass Flag)

Libertia paniculata is an elegant evergreen perennial admired for its fine, upright foliage and delicate white flowers that appear in airy clusters...

From$15.86
An elegant Miscanthus sinensis grass with cream-coloured flower plumes and lush green foliage.

Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis is an ornamental grass that grows as a clump of narrow, arching, green leaves. The colouring gives a light silver-green effect to...

From$21.53
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' grasses as a mass planting and featuring elegant, cream-coloured flower heads as plumes.

Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'

Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' is a popular ornamental grass known for its upright, clump-forming habit and tall, feathery flower plumes. It grows to...

From$22.88
Lomandra Evergreen Baby growing as a ground cover with lush, green foliage.

Lomandra Evergreen Baby

Lomandra Evergreen Baby is a compact, evergreen ornamental grass known for its delicate, deep-green foliage and tidy, rounded form. Growing to...

From$17.48
Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' green foliage.

Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' (Dwarf Karo)

Pittosporum ‘Stephens Island’ is a compact, evergreen shrub known for its dense, upright growth and attractive grey-green foliage. A hardy New...

From$21.53
Anemanthele lessoniana grass with colourful, orange and green foliage growing in a pot.

Anemanthele lessoniana (Pheasant's Tail Grass)

Anemanthele lessoniana, also known as Pheasant's Tail Grass or New Zealand Wind Grass, is a graceful, clump-forming ornamental grass native to New...

From$16.88
Lomandra longifolia plant beside a path with lush, green foliage.

Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass)

Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass) is a resilient, evergreen ornamental grass native to Australia. Growing to approximately 60 cm in height and 65 cm...

From$16.13
Lomandra 'Echidna' grass growing as a mass planting beside a path.

Lomandra Echidna

The Lomandra Echidna grass is a tough and reliable plant with outstanding aesthetics. It features lush, mid-green foliage held upright with a gentle...

From$16.13
Lomandra Green Allure plant with lush, green foliage.

Lomandra Green Allure

Lomandra Green Allure is widely used in landscaping projects across NZ. It is commonly mass planted as a ground cover or on a bank, included in...

From$20.18
cymbopogon-citratus-4

Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass)

Cymbopogon citratus (aka Andropogon citratus), commonly known as Lemongrass Grass or Citronella Grass, grows as a clump and produces flavoursome and...

From$20.18
kniphofia-dwarf-orange-

Kniphofia Dwarf Orange (Torchlily)

Kniphofia Dwarf Orange is a variety of the commonly known, Red Hot Poker, and is grown for its colourful flowers. Stems rise above the foliage...

From$20.18
Carex 'Everlime' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Carex 'Everlime' (Lime Grass Plant)

Carex ‘Everlime’ (Japanese Sedge) is a popular evergreen sedge valued for its graceful arching green foliage edged with bright lime cream margins...

From$26.33
schefflera-arboricola-

Schefflera arboricola (Dwarf Umbrella Tree)

The Schefflera arboricola plant, commonly known as the Dwarf Umbrella Tree, is an evergreen shrub commonly grown as a houseplant. The foliage is mid...

From$26.93
Lomandra 'Arctic Frost' plant in a pot with variegated foliage.

Lomandra Arctic Frost

Lomandra Arctic Frost is a hardy ornamental grass featuring variegated blue and cream foliage held upright with a gentle arch. Growing to...

From$20.93
A large planting of Stipa gigantea (Golden Oat Grass) as a feature garden.

Stipa gigantea

Stipa gigantea, commonly known as the Golden Oat Grass, is a large, ornamental grass. It grows as a clump and produces narrow, dark green leaves. The...

From$14.78
Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Anemanthele, Calamagrostis, Carex, Cymbopogon, Cyperus, Dactylis, Festuca, Hakonechloa, Helictotrichon, Isolepis, Juncus, Kniphofia, Libertia, Lomandra, Miscanthus, Ophiopogon, Pittosporum Schefflera and Stipa, or related Categories - Grasses, Mondo Grass, Indoor Plants Perennials and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search dwarf ornamental grasses

Why Choose Dwarf Ornamental Grasses for Your NZ Garden?

Gardeners across New Zealand love dwarf ornamental grasses for their adaptability and variety. These grasses are particularly useful in urban gardens, small courtyards, rockeries, or anywhere a big impact is needed in a tight space. Resistant to drought, tolerant of most soil types, and largely pest-free, dwarf ornamental grasses thrive in our diverse climate zones. Many are evergreen, ensuring interest even in the cooler months.

Top Choices for Dwarf Ornamental Grasses

If you're searching for beautiful, low-growing options, here are a few standout varieties you can add to your garden:

Planting and Care Tips

Dwarf ornamental grasses are impressively undemanding. Most prefer well-drained soil and can tolerate both sunny and partly shaded spots, though some, like mondo grass, perform best in lower light. A light mulch in the summer will help retain soil moisture. In autumn or early spring, simply tidy up by removing old foliage—these grasses will bounce back beautifully for another year of interest.

Creative Ways to Use Dwarf Ornamental Grasses

Because they stay small, dwarf ornamental grasses are perfect for softening hardscapes, edging pathways, filling in under trees, or adding texture to container gardens. Their subtle movement and changing hues create an inviting, calming atmosphere in both urban and rural landscapes.

Incorporating a selection such as Acorus Mini Green (Sweet Flag) or Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass) can instantly refresh tired spaces and provide the perfect finishing touch to your garden design.

Ready to introduce the natural elegance and resilience of dwarf ornamental grasses to your NZ garden? Explore our premium range and enjoy a lifetime of low-maintenance beauty.


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Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

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