Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
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kinds of ornamental grass

Ornamental grasses are a wonderful addition to New Zealand gardens, offering year-round texture, movement, and striking visual contrast. With so many kinds of ornamental grass available, it can be challenging to choose the right type for your landscape. From softly arching foliage to bold, structural forms, grasses suit a variety of garden styles—including contemporary, native, and coastal themes. In this guide, we’ll highlight the main kinds of ornamental grass and recommend top-performing varieties that thrive locally.

Acorus gramineus variegata plants growing in pots with green and cream foliage.

Acorus gramineus variegatus

Acorus gramineus variegatus, commonly known as Variegated Sweet Flag, is an attractive ornamental grass-like plant prized for its elegant green and cream-striped leaves. This hardy, evergreen perennial thrives in NZ gardens and is perfect for adding texture, colour, and movement to wet or shaded areas.

Buy Acorus gramineus variegatus

From $12.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Grasses

Height: 30 cm

Spread: 30 cm

Tolerances: Hardy, Wet

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Riparian

Lomandra Nyalla

Lomandra Nyalla is a hardy ornamental grass featuring delicate, lush green foliage and a graceful, arching form. Reaching approximately 80 cm in height and width, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and is highly tolerant of drought, frost, wind, and coastal conditions.

Buy Lomandra Nyalla

From $19.25

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Grasses

Height: 80 cm

Spread: 80 cm

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas

Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

What Are Ornamental Grasses?

Ornamental grasses are a diverse group of plants grown primarily for their decorative appeal—rather than their agricultural use. They come in a range of heights, colours, and leaf shapes. These grasses often display subtle flowers or seed heads, adding an extra layer of interest. Their drought tolerance and minimal maintenance requirements make them ideal for both beginner and expert gardeners.

Popular Kinds of Ornamental Grass in New Zealand

1. Tussock Grasses

Tussocks form neat clumps or mounds and are often used as feature plants or in mass plantings. The Restio tetraphyllus (Tassel Grass) is a standout example. This native-inspired species delivers soft, feathery foliage and elegant texture to garden borders and pathways, blending beautifully with modern planting schemes.

2. Lomandra Varieties

Lomandra grasses are renowned for their resilience and architectural foliage. They’re perfect for low-maintenance gardens, erosion control, and decorative edging.

Lomandra Shara: With fragrant yellow flowers and soft, green leaves, this variety provides year-round visual interest and works well in rain gardens or around pools.
Lomandra White Sands: Featuring pale, variegated foliage, it brightens shaded spots and offers excellent tolerance to frost and dry conditions.
Lomandra Nyalla: A compact, tough species with blue-green leaves, ideal for sites exposed to wind, salt, or sun.
Lomandra Misty Green: This variety delivers fine, lush green foliage and is an attractive filler for garden beds and borders.

3. Fine-Leaved Grasses

Fine-leaved ornamental grasses create a soft, flowing effect and can be used to highlight pathways, define spaces, or complement hard landscaping elements. Many respond well to pruning and look stunning when planted in drifts or alongside wildflowers.

Choosing the Best Ornamental Grass for Your Garden

When selecting from the many kinds of ornamental grass, consider your site conditions—such as sunlight, soil drainage, and exposure to wind or salt. Mixing different heights and textures yields a beautiful and dynamic planting scheme. Grasses like Restio tetraphyllus (Tassel Grass) and the various Lomandra options are well-suited to New Zealand’s climate, providing resilience as well as beauty.

How to Use Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses work well as specimen plants, groundcovers, or mass plantings for visual impact. They’re ideal for filling gaps, softening hard edges, or adding movement to gardens. Their non-invasive nature makes them safe choices near native bush and waterways.

Discover Top Ornamental Grasses

Ready to transform your outdoor space? Explore our collection of trusted and hardy ornamental grasses, including Restio tetraphyllus (Tassel Grass), Lomandra Shara, Lomandra White Sands, Lomandra Nyalla, and Lomandra Misty Green. Each offers unique qualities to enliven your garden and create lasting natural beauty.

Contact us

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.

kinds of ornamental grass

Acorus gramineus variegatus

Lomandra Nyalla

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What Are Ornamental Grasses?