Grasses

Most turf grasses perform best in the sun. Some cultivars of cool-season grasses such as fescues, ryegrass, and bluegrass have been selected for their tolerance to shady conditions. See G6725, Grasses in Shade, for a listing of shade tolerant turf varieties as well as suggestions for improving turf growth in the shade. Several ornamental grasses and grass-like plants perform well in the shade.

Bottlebrush grass (Hystrix patula)

• Shade tolerance
  Light to medium
• Size
  1 to 2 feet tall
• Green flower spikes resembling bottlebrushes rise 1 to 2 feet above the foliage in summer. Flowers turn brown by late summer, and shatter by late fall. Native woodland plant.

Hakonegrass (Hakenochloa macra)

• Shade tolerance
  Light to medium
• Size
  1 to 2 feet tall
• Horizontal weeping foliage is similar to bamboo. 'Aureola' has yellow foliage streaked with green. Prefers moist soil, but not wet clay.

Maiden grass, Silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus')

• Shade tolerance
  Light
• Size
  4 to 6 feet tall
• Surprisingly tolerant of shade. Variegated cultivars such as porcupine grass, zebra grass, 'Variegatus' and 'Morning Light' are best with morning sun and afternoon shade.

Sedge (Carex sp.)

• Shade tolerance
  Light to medium
• Size
  6 inches to 2 feet tall
• Clump forming grass-like plants that grow best in wet soils in the shade. Foliage color ranges from medium green to blue green, yellow, brown, or nearly black.

Soft rush (Juncus effusus)

• Shade tolerance
  Light to medium
• Size
  1-1/2 to 2-1/2 feet tall
• Clumps of medium green grass-like foliage with tan flowers near the ends of stems. Prefers wet, boggy soils.

Tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia caespitosa)

• Shade tolerance
  Light to medium
• Size
  1 to 3 feet tall
• A cool-season clumping grass. Panicles of light green flowers create almost veil-like appearance. Prefers moist soil.

Woodrush (Luzula sp.)

• Shade tolerance
  Light to medium
• Size
  6 to 12 inches tall
• Clumps of gray-green to medium green foliage covered by downy hairs. Flowers are white to tan. Prefers moist conditions.