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ornamental grasses for shade

If you’re searching for striking, low-maintenance options to brighten those dim corners of your garden, ornamental grasses for shade offer the perfect solution. New Zealand’s lush climate is a natural fit for a wide range of attractive, easy-care grasses that not only thrive in low light but also add movement, texture, and year-round structural interest. Whether you have a sheltered border, woodland area, or a shaded courtyard, there’s a shade-loving ornamental grass ready to enhance your garden style.

Carex solandri grass in a NZ native planting.

Carex solandri

5 from 1 customers

Carex solandri is a NZ native, ornamental grass that features attractive, dark green foliage. The foliage emerges upright and develops a gentle and graceful arch as it expands. Dark brown seed heads in summer add an interesting element to this plant, which grows to 70 cm tall and the same width.

From $11.50

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 70 cm
Spread: 70 cm
Tolerances: Extended dry periods, Shade, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Paths & Steps, Ponds
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern, Native, Riparian
Lomandra Nyalla grass with blue-green foliage in a border planting.

Lomandra Nyalla

5 from 2 customers

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.

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
Lomandra 'Katrinus Deluxe' plant with lush, dark green foliage.
Lomandra Katrinus Deluxe

Lomandra Katrinus Deluxe is an evergreen, ornamental grass known for its mid-green, arching foliage and tidy clumping habit. Growing to approximately...

From$17.87
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
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$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
A large Calamagrostis 'Overdam' grass with elegant, variegated foliage.
Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ is a striking variegated ornamental grass that delivers elegant upright form and delicate texture to garden borders and...

From$19.95
Lomandra Tankia with lush green foliage bordering a path.
Lomandra 'Tanika'

Lomandra Tanika is a hardy, Australian Native grass that is commonly known as Mat Rush. This grass features fine, deep-green foliage and a graceful...

From$10.97
Lomandra Little Lime in a garden with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra Little Lime

Lomandra Little Lime is a compact ornamental grass known for its vibrant lime-green foliage and tidy, rounded form. Growing to about 50 cm in height...

From$21.39
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
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$19.25
Carex dissita (Purei) plant growing in a native garden.
Carex dissita (Purei)

Carex dissita, commonly known as Purei or Forest Sedge, features arching, mid-green leaves that radiate from a central clump. It typically grows to...

From$12.95
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$12.95
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$17.87
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$16.49
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
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
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
Carex dipsacea plants as a mass planting in a garden.
Carex dipsacea (Teasel Sedge)

Carex dipsacea is a fine-leaved, clump-forming sedge native to New Zealand. It features slender, green to bronze-tinted foliage and grows to...

From$12.95
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
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
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
Ficinia nodosa (Knobby Club Rush) plants growing in sand and displaying lush, green foliage.
Ficinia nodosa (Knobby Club Rush)

Ficinia nodosa, commonly known as Knobby Club Rush, is a NZ native grass that features stout, mid-green foliage. In cold or exposed climates, the...

From$14.84
Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga) plants in flower with lush green foliage in a border garden.
Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium cirratum, commonly known as Rengarenga Lily or New Zealand Rock Lily, is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial native to New Zealand. It...

From$9.95
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
Ophiopogon japonicus nana (dwarf Mondo grass) growing between paving stones.
Ophiopogon japonicus Nana

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana' is a dwarf or mini Mondo Grass grown for its delicate, dark green foliage. Flower spikes are borne in summer and bear...

From$9.95
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$12.95
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...

From$6.95
An immaculate Fine Fescue lawn in a modern and formal garden.
Fine Fescue Lawn Seed

Fine Fescue lawn seed is ideal for homeowners seeking a lush, fine-textured lawn that thrives in shaded areas and requires minimal maintenance. This...

From$28.95
Carex virgata grass plants in pots at The Plant Company nursery.
Carex virgata

Carex virgata, commonly known as Swamp Sedge, is a hardy New Zealand native sedge that thrives in wetlands, damp soils, and along waterways. It forms...

From$12.95
Cyperus ustulatus growing in water.
Cyperus ustulatus (Giant Umbrella Sedge)

Cyperus ustulatus, commonly known as the Giant Umbrella Sedge, is a large and robust NZ native grass. It grows as a clump and produces dark green...

From$17.25
Chrysopogon zizanioides grass plants growing alongside a stream.
Chrysopogon zizanioides

Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vetiver Grass) is a hardy, evergreen clump forming grass renowned for its deep root system, attractive upright foliage, and...

From$20.63
Carex solandri

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

Search ornamental grasses for shade

Why Grow Ornamental Grasses for Shade?

One of the biggest challenges for gardeners is finding beautiful plants that perform well in shaded spots. Ornamental grasses for shade are highly valued for their adaptability and resilience. They provide visual softness that contrasts beautifully with the bold foliage of ferns, hostas, and shrubs, while their subtle movement brings life to still spaces. Many species also cope with dry shade, making them ideal beneath established trees or in tricky garden corners where other plants might struggle.

Top Shade-Loving Ornamental Grasses for New Zealand Gardens

Choosing the right grass is essential for success in shady areas. Here are some standout varieties that have proven themselves in New Zealand’s microclimates:

How to Use Ornamental Grasses for Shade

Ornamental grasses for shade are wonderfully versatile. Use them as groundcovers under trees, contrast them with bold-leafed perennials, or plant them in mixed borders for year-round structure. Many also thrive in pots and containers, ideal for shady decks or entrances. Try combining several grass varieties for a relaxed, naturalistic look, or plant swathes of a single species for bold, contemporary style.

Simple Care Tips

Most ornamental grasses suited for shade are quite low maintenance. Water new plants regularly until they are established, and mulch to help retain soil moisture. Once settled in, many of these grasses are drought-tolerant and rarely need dividing or pruning—just a tidy-up of old foliage in late winter or early spring keeps them looking their best.

Transform shaded spaces in your garden with the beauty and simplicity of ornamental grasses for shade. For expert advice or to find the perfect grass for your needs, browse our selection of low-light loving varieties today.

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.

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You know Avocado 'Reed' and Ficus benjamina, but have you met Callisia repens, Hemerocallis 'Encore', and Crataegus laevigata 'Paul's Scarlet'? These beauties are worth a closer look.
–The Plant Company

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