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small ornamental grasses

Small ornamental grasses are a fantastic addition to New Zealand gardens of any size, offering texture, movement, and year-round interest. These compact grasses are perfect for borders, pots, rock gardens, or as ground covers, providing stunning foliage and architectural elegance without overwhelming your landscape. Whether you’re creating a modern urban garden or enhancing a cottage-style space, small ornamental grasses bring versatility and easy-care beauty to every design. Their adaptability to various soil and light conditions makes them a smart choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.

Carex 'Frosted Curls' plants with elegant green foliage growing in a pot with other plants.

Carex 'Frosted Curls'

5 from 2 customers

Carex 'Frosted Curls' is an ornamental grass with slender, hair-like, iridescent foliage that shimmers in light breezes. It typically grows to 30 cm tall and 40 cm wide, performing best when planted on a well-drained site in full sun or partial shade.

From $11.50

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 30 cm
Spread: 30 cm
Tolerances: Coastal
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
Lomandra Little Pal plants with lush green foliage.

Lomandra 'Little Pal'

5 from 1 customers

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 height and width, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and is highly tolerant of drought, frost, wind, and coastal conditions.

From $14.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 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, Modern
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 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...

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
Carex solandri grass in a NZ native planting.
Carex solandri

Carex solandri is a NZ native, ornamental grass that features attractive, dark green foliage. The foliage emerges upright and develops a gentle and...

From$11.50
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
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
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
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
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
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
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$14.95
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
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
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$14.49
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$12.95
Armeria maritima 'Morning Star White' plant with white flowers.
Armeria maritima 'Morning Star White' (Thrift)

Armeria maritima 'Morning Star White' is a compact and charming perennial valued for its crisp white pompom flowers that rise above tidy clumps of...

From$23.39
pittosporum-small-ball-
Pittosporum 'Small Ball'

Pittosporum 'Small Ball' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its naturally rounded growth habit, dense foliage, and tidy appearance. This dwarf...

From$102.84
Festuca coxii (Blue Fescue) grass growing in a garden.
Festuca coxii (Blue Fescue)

Festuca coxii, commonly known as Blue Fescue, is a hardy NZ native, ornamental grass that features fine, blue foliage. Straw-coloured seed heads...

From$14.49
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$12.95
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...

From$14.95
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
Sophora microphylla specimen tree covered in yellow flowers.
Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai)

Sophora microphylla, commonly known as Weeping Kowhai, is a treasured New Zealand native tree admired for its graceful, drooping branches and masses...

From$33.05
juncus-blue-dart-
Juncus 'Blue Dart' (Blue Rush)

Juncus 'Blue Dart' is a striking ornamental rush prized for its upright blue green foliage and strong architectural form. This hardy evergreen plant...

From$18.29
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...

From$22.95
15-litre-plant-pots-
1.5 Litre Plant Pots

1.5 Litre Plant Pots are a practical choice for growing young shrubs, perennials, grasses, herbs, and other developing plants. They provide useful...

From$27.36
Acer 'Shaina' small and round trees with elegant, dark red-purple foliage.
Acer palmatum 'Shaina'

Acer palmatum 'Shaina' is a compact Japanese maple prized for its intense crimson red foliage and naturally tidy upright habit. This deciduous tree...

From$299.95
Acer 'Shidava Gold' small tree with lush, green and yellow foliage.
Acer 'Shidava Gold'

Acer 'Shidava Gold' is a bright and elegant Japanese maple valued for its golden yellow foliage that brings light and contrast to garden spaces. This...

From$349.95
Lomandra Green Allure plant with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra 'Green Allure'

Lomandra 'Green Allure' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass with fine fresh green foliage and a neat clumping habit. It is an excellent choice for...

From$16.95
A stunning Amenity Ryegrass lawn.
Amenity Ryegrass Seed (Lawn Seed)

Rye Grass Seed lawns are quick to establish and features dark green leaves year-round. Our Amenity Rye Grass is a popular turf variety that is...

From$16.95
Lomandra 'Echidna' grass growing as a mass planting beside a path.
Lomandra 'Echidna'

Lomandra 'Echidna' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass with a dense compact habit and fine textured foliage. It is an excellent choice for NZ...

From$14.95
Carex 'Frosted Curls'

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

Search small ornamental grasses

Benefits of Growing Small Ornamental Grasses

Incorporating small ornamental grasses into your garden delivers multiple benefits. Their low maintenance requirements make them ideal for busy homeowners. These grasses are drought-tolerant once established, helping conserve water, and many varieties are naturally pest and disease resistant. Small ornamental grasses are also excellent at suppressing weeds and stabilising soil, making them a practical solution for slopes and challenging garden areas. Additionally, their graceful form and swaying movement add dynamic interest in every season.

Popular Varieties of Small Ornamental Grasses

If you’re searching for the perfect compact grass for your landscape, explore these standout options:

Design Ideas Using Small Ornamental Grasses

Small ornamental grasses are incredibly versatile in garden design. Use them as a low-maintenance ground cover under trees or along pathways, blend them with flowering perennials for an informal border, or plant them in clusters for a striking architectural effect. Try mixing several species with different leaf textures and colours for year-round contrast and interest.

Planting and Care Tips

When planting small ornamental grasses, choose a site with the appropriate sunlight and soil conditions for your selected species. Most grasses prefer free-draining soil and benefit from a layer of mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Water new plantings deeply until established. Annual trimming and removal of old foliage in late winter or early spring will keep your grasses looking their best.

Embrace the charm and practicality of small ornamental grasses to transform your outdoor spaces with structure, movement, and effortless style. Browse our collection to find the perfect varieties for your New Zealand garden.

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.
We all know Coprosma acerosa and Photinia 'Red Robin', but the real surprises come from plants like Lime Tahitian, Agapanthus 'Streamline', and Westringia fruticosa.
–The Plant Company

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