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Drought Tolerant Grasses for the Landscape

Ornamental grasses are great for specimen plants in the landscape or as borders along other types of garden. For those landscapes that are in drought plagued areas, there are some drought tolerant grasses that work well in those conditions. A great addition in any xeriscaping plot, these ornamental drought tolerant grasses are sure to please.

Lindheimer’s Muhlygrass

Also known as Muhlenbergia lindheimeri, the Lindheimer’s muhlygrass is a drought tolerant perennial. Growing 2 to 4 feet high and 1 to 2 feet wide, it has blue-green leaves and a flowering spike that can grow up to 5 feet high. Flowers start purple and then go to a gray color. Some have red or yellow flowers. It prefers full sun and any type of soil. Propagate by seed or root mass division. Lindheimer’s muhlygrass is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of 7 through 11.

Blue Fescue

Also known as Festuca glauca, the blue fescue is a drought tolerant evergreen grass. It grows 6 to 12 inches high and 6 to 12 inches wide in a clump form. Grayish leaves are fine and under 12 inches long with a powdery bloom. There are spikelets of flowers that aren’t showy. Every few years the clumps should be dug up and divided to plant in other locations. Plant this in full sun with a well-drained soil. It can tolerate partial shade and sandy soils. It will not be wet soil tolerant or tolerate high humidity. Propagate by seed or root clump division. Blue fescue will be hardy in USDA hardiness zones of 4 through 8.

Mexican Feather Grass

Also known as Nassella tenuissima, Mexican feather grass is a drought tolerant perennial with great flowers. It grows 1 to 2 feet high with dense clumps of fine textured foliage. Flowers are on a panicle, or branched stalk of clustered flowers, and are greenish in color. In fall, it will change to gold-brown. Plant a Mexican feather grass plant in full sun or partial shade and in well-drained soil. Propagate by seed or by division if the plant is large. It will grow well in USDA hardiness zones of 7 through 11.

These three choices are good for dry soils that may have periods of drought. They have interesting foliage and flowers, continuing to bring visual appeal throughout the seasons With so many plants that curl and wither in full sun locations, finding the ornamental grasses that can thrive in this type of lighting can really open up new gardening ideas for high sun areas.

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