While most ornamental grasses prefer and do best in full sun locations, there are a number of grasses and grass-like plants that will provide interest to shaded areas n the garden.
Tufted Hair Grass - Deschampsia cespitosa
Height: 2-3 feet.
Width: 2-3 feet.
Bloom: silky green, May-June, maturing to yellow/gold/bronze.
Notes: Dark green clump forming grass. Yellow to bronze fall color. Silky green flower panicles in spring. Best in moist partial shade.
Northern Sea Oats - Chasmanthium latifolium
Height: 2-3 feet.
Width: 2-3 feet.
Bloom: green, June-July, maturing to copper/brown.
Notes: Has bamboo like appearance. Very attractive seed heads in late summer/fall. Will grow in full shade. Reseeds very heavily.
Japanese Forest Grass - Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'
Height: 12-18 inches.
Width: 18-24 inches.
Bloom: insignificant green, July-August.
Notes: Elegant arching clumps of lime green foliage. Reddish fall color. Slow growing. Best in part shade.
Fall Blooming Reed Grass - Calamagrostis arundinacea
Height: 3-4 feet.
Width: 2-3 feet.
Bloom: none.
Notes: Upright clump forming grass. Pink flower plumes in late summer early fall. Best in part shade.
Sedges - Carex sp.
Height: 3 inches - 3 feet.
Width: 6-24 inches.
Bloom: Depends on species. Some have attractive bloom June-August.
Notes: Numerous useful species offering interesting foliage coloration. Some are clump forming some spread readily. Tolerant also of moist to wet conditions. Best in part to full shade.
Creeping Lilyturf - Liriope spicata
Height: 6-12 inches.
Width: 18-36 inches.
Bloom: Purple, Aug-Sept.
Cultivars: 'Royal Pruple', 'Big Blue'.
Notes: Mounds of leathery foliage. Aggressive spreader. Flowers followed by black berries. Best in part to full shade.
Greater Wood Rush - Lazula sylvatica
Height: 8-12 inches.
Width: 12-15 inches.
Bloom: Yellow/green, April-May, maturing to chestnut brown.
Notes: Excellent for shaded woodland sites. Soft green foliage.
Sweet Flag - Acorus gramineus
Height: 6-12 inches.
Width: 6-12 inches.
Bloom: insignificant .
Cultivars: 'Ogon'.
Notes: Colorful, fragrant foliage. Best in part to full shade in moist to wet soils.
