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ornamental grass varieties

Ornamental grass varieties have become a must-have feature in New Zealand gardens, offering texture, movement, and year-round interest with minimal care. Whether you’re looking to soften garden edges, create structure, or add a modern twist to your outdoor space, these stunning grasses provide adaptability and style for any landscape. From lush planting schemes to architectural displays, discovering the right ornamental grass varieties will transform your garden into a vibrant retreat.

A large Calamagrostis 'Overdam' grass with elegant, variegated foliage.

Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

5 from 1 customers

Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ is a striking variegated ornamental grass that delivers elegant upright form and delicate texture to garden borders and landscaping. With green and creamy-white striped foliage and feathery plumes in summer, this clump-forming grass is both functional and decorative. The Plant Company supplies top-quality, NZ-grown Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ for use in modern and low-maintenance garden designs.

From $19.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 90 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Flowering time: Summer, Autumn, Winter
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
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, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and is highly tolerant of drought, frost, wind, and coastal conditions. This low-maintenance plant is ideal for borders, mass plantings, containers, and around outdoor living areas, adding year-round texture and colour to gardens.

From $19.25

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 40 cm
Spread: 40 cm
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
Lomandra 'Seascape' grass with elegant, blue-green foliage growing beside a pond.
Lomandra confertifolia Seascape

Lomandra confertifolia 'Seascape' is a hardy, evergreen ornamental grass featuring slender, blue-grey foliage with a graceful, weeping habit. Forming...

From$19.25
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$17.87
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$11.50
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...

From$16.95
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$19.25
Carex 'Frosted Curls' plants with elegant green foliage growing in a pot with other plants.
Carex Frosted Curls

Carex Frosted Curls is an ornamental grass with slender, hair-like, iridescent foliage that shimmers in light breezes. It typically grows to 30 cm...

From$11.50
Lomandra Lime Tuff in a garden showing elegant foliage.
Lomandra Lime Tuff

Lomandra 'Lime Tuff' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass valued for its vibrant lime green foliage and compact tidy growth habit. This versatile...

From$8.21
Carex flagellifera Red plants.
Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$11.50
isolepsis-cernua-1
Isolepis cernua (Scirpus cernua)

Isolepis cernua (Fiber Optic Grass) is a distinctive ornamental grass prized for its fine green stems tipped with tiny white flowers that resemble...

From$20.63
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$19.95
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$15.11
Carex comans green plants with dense, green foliage in a garden.
Carex comans Green

Carex comans Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass featuring slender and arching, lime green foliage. It grows as a tidy clump to about 40 cm tall...

From$11.50
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$19.95
Imperata 'Red Baron' with colourful, red foliage
Imperata Red Baron

Imperata 'Red Baron', commonly known as Japanese Blood Grass, features leaves that are green at the base and become red further up the blade. Through...

From$20.63
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$19.25
Poa cita grass plants on a plateau overlooing the sea.
Poa cita

Poa cita, commonly known as Silver Tussock, is a clump-forming NZ native grass with delicate, green foliage that wafts gracefully in the breeze. It...

From$9.95
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$19.95
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...

From$6.95
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$17.87
Lomandra Frosty Tops with lush blue foliage in a garden.
Lomandra Frosty Tops

Lomandra Frosty Tops is a hardy, evergreen grass featuring elegant, blue-grey foliage and a soft, weeping form. Growing to around 50 cm tall and...

From$18.63
Apodasmia similis growing in a rock garden.
Apodasmia similis (Oi Oi)

Apodasmia similis, commonly known as Oioi or Jointed Wire Rush, is a hardy native grass-like plant found throughout New Zealand. It is ideal for...

From$7.50
Ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens (Black Mondo) plants with lush, black foliage.
Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens

Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens, commonly known as Black Mondo Grass, is a clump-forming plant with fine, near black foliage. The foliage is...

From$9.95
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$22.01
Sisyrinchium californicum plants with yellow flowers and fine, green foliage.
Sisyrinchium californicum

Sisyrinchium californicum, commonly known as the Golden Eyed Grass, is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It bears...

From$17.25
Carex secta plants growing as a border garden in a commercial car park.
Carex secta (Swamp Sedge)

Carex secta, commonly known as Pukio, is a striking New Zealand native sedge admired for its large, tussock forming habit and golden green foliage...

From$11.50
Orange foliage on Carex testacea.
Carex testacea

Carex testacea, commonly known as Orange Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass admired for its fine, arching foliage that turns a brilliant...

From$11.50
Carex buchananii with lush brown foliage growing as a specimen plant in a rock garden.
Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

Carex buchananii, commonly known as Leatherleaf Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass-like plant with delicate, upright, copper-bronze...

From$11.50
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$20.63
Chionochloa flavicans (Miniature ToeToe) plants with cascading cream-coloured flowers.
Chionochloa flavicans (Miniature Toetoe)

Chionochloa flavicans, commonly known as Miniature ToeToe or Dwarf Toe Toe, is a highly popular NZ native grass. It has flowing, green foliage and...

From$14.95
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$16.50
Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acorus, Calamagrostis, and Carex, or related Categories - Grasses.

Search ornamental grass

Why Choose Ornamental Grass Varieties for Your Garden?

Ornamental grasses are prized for their versatility and hardiness. Many are drought-tolerant and thrive in New Zealand’s varied climates, making them an eco-friendly choice for low-maintenance gardeners. Their slender leaves and feathery plumes can add gentle movement with the breeze, offering visual appeal throughout the seasons. Ornamental grass varieties range from delicate ground covers to striking upright forms, making them suitable for mass planting, borders, containers, and feature accents.

Popular Ornamental Grass Varieties in New Zealand

With so many options available, finding the right ornamental grass varieties is easy. Here are some outstanding choices loved by gardeners across the country:

Lomandra White Sands

Lomandra White Sands is a lush, low-maintenance grass that features variegated lime and cream foliage. It’s perfect for creating a soft yet striking border and copes well with coastal conditions, making it a favourite for exposed sites.

Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

For a touch of elegance, Calamagrostis 'Overdam' is an ideal selection. Its upright form boasts green leaves edged in creamy white, topped with delicate flower plumes in summer. This ornamental grass variety excels as a feature plant in modern and traditional landscapes.

Restio tetraphyllus (Tassel Grass)

Bring a textural statement to damp or boggy parts of your garden with Restio tetraphyllus (Tassel Grass). This New Zealand native forms graceful, arching stems ending in soft, feathery tassels — a beautiful way to add contrast among other ornamental grass varieties.

Juncus Blue Dart (Blue Rush)

If striking colour is what you seek, Juncus Blue Dart (Blue Rush) offers blue-green stems perfect for modern planting designs. Resilient in both wet and dry sites, this grass variety is superb for patios, containers, and even rain gardens.

Lomandra Arctic Frost

Another excellent option, Lomandra Arctic Frost, stuns with its fine, silver-tinged foliage. This easy-care variety works beautifully as a mass planting, pathway lining, or underplanting to larger shrubs.

Creative Uses for Ornamental Grass Varieties

Ornamental grass varieties aren’t just for garden beds. Plant them in drift-style borders, mix them with perennials for a long-lasting display or use them to control erosion on slopes. Their foliage and plumes also make stunning additions to flower arrangements, adding texture and movement indoors and out.

Start Your Garden Transformation

With the right ornamental grass varieties, you can create a garden that’s beautiful, sustainable, and uniquely yours. Explore our handpicked selection, and discover the difference these versatile plants make in New Zealand landscapes.

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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
There’s more to explore beyond Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty' (Silver Boxwood) and Duranta Geisha Girl — like the subtle beauty of Coprosma 'Portwine', Cherry 'Compact Stella', and Cistus lusitanicus (Rock Rose).
–The Plant Company

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