Annie's Annuals - Grasses & Foliage

Texture, Color & Flow for Every Landscape

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Annie's Annuals - Grasses & Foliage

Graceful Grasses & Bold Foliage

Ornamental grasses and foliage plants are the quiet powerhouses of the garden, bringing texture, movement, and a surprising amount of drama to any landscape. In contrast to annuals, perennial grasses and foliage provide year-round interest, creating a dynamic backdrop that highlights everything else in your garden. Whether swaying in the breeze or standing tall as structural anchors, these plants add a sense of rhythm and balance to your garden that flowers alone can’t achieve.

At Annie’s Annuals and Perennials, we offer a wide variety of shapes, heights, and patterns to help you design with intention. From fine-bladed California native grasses that blend seamlessly into natural landscapes, to weed-suppressing groundcovers with evergreen foliage that knits garden spaces together, our collection of grasses and foliage showcases the full spectrum of what these plants can do in your landscape. Whether your goal is understated elegance or a bold focal point, you’ll find options that deliver.

But grasses and foliage aren’t just about looks—they’re deeply functional too. They knit the soil together with their root systems, helping reduce erosion and improving overall health and stability in your garden. Once established, most are low-maintenance and many are drought-tolerant, making them a smart choice for gardeners seeking beauty without the constant upkeep.

Even better, they play a vital ecological role. Their flowers and seed heads provide food for pollinators and birds, while their dense foliage creates shelter for beneficial insects and wildlife. By planting ornamental grasses and foliage, you’re not just enriching your garden’s design—you’re contributing to a thriving, more resilient environment.

Whether in or out of bloom, these plants always pop. They fill gaps, soften hard edges, and create movement that catches the light and draws the eye. They can be used in mass plantings for sweeping drama, as accents to frame a border, or as architectural centerpieces in containers.

With their unmatched versatility, ornamental grasses and foliage are essential tools for any gardener who wants to create landscapes that feel both vibrant and alive. Explore Annie’s collection today and discover how these plants can transform your garden into a living, breathing work of art.

To learn more about Annie's Annuals & Perennials click here

FAQ: Grasses & Foliage

What are grasses, and why are they important?

Ornamental grasses are colored, leafy plants, usually with slender blades. Our offerings come in a variety of shapes, heights, and colors and many will bloom with seed fronds. In addition to adding dramatic interest and beauty to your garden, ornamental grasses also provide food and shelter for pollinators and wildlife.

What are the benefits of using native grasses in landscaping?

They are huge! Native grasses are especially well suited to their local environment, requiring less care and maintenance than many non-native plants. Using native grasses in landscaping can save water, attract local pollinators and wildlife, and even improve the soil.

Can I use ornamental grasses in my garden for decorative purposes?

Absolutely! They can be a dramatic and beautiful addition to your garden. Ornamental grasses provide texture, movement, and visual interest with their unique shapes and colors.

How can I encourage healthy grass growth and discourage pests and diseases?

You can maintain healthy grass growth with proper watering, fertilization, and aeration. To discourage pests and diseases, use preventive measures and address issues promptly.

What are foliage plants, and why are they popular in gardening?

Foliage plants are often grown for their leaves rather than flowers or fruit, although at Annie’s we do have some great foliage options that bloom nicely. Foliage plants can provide diverse leaf colors, shapes, and patterns. They are perfect for filling in spaces in the garden and provide a wonderful background for vibrant annual and perennial flowering plants.

How can foliage plants be used in outdoor landscaping?

Foliage plants play a significant role in outdoor landscaping. They can fill out areas of the garden, making it look more lush, and they can also add texture and color to the landscape. Our offerings provide great pairing options with our annual and perennial flowering plants.

What are the benefits of using native foliage plants in landscaping?

Native plants are perfectly suited to their local environment, so they are easy to grow, need less care, and require fewer pesticides. Using native foliage plants can help attract pollinators while also helping to conserve water and reduce maintenance.

How can I protect my outdoor foliage plants from pests and diseases?

To protect outdoor foliage plants, regularly inspect them for signs of pests or diseases. Apply appropriate treatments, such as insecticidal soap or fungicides, if issues arise.

What are some low-maintenance foliage plants or grasses for beginners?

If you're new to gardening, consider starting with low-maintenance foliage and grass options like sedges, amaranths, celosias, and even herbs like mint, basil, oregano or thyme. They tend to be forgiving and require minimal care.

What are the different types of grasses?

The best grass for your lawn depends on your region and climate. At Annie’s, some of our favorite ornamental grasses are:

Sedges: grassy or rush-like plants growing in dense clumps.

Lemongrass: a lush, graceful, and aromatic ornamental grass, which is also edible and a must-have for an herb garden.

Festuca: evergreen, perennial tufted grass like our striking gray, blue Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’.

Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) and Ruby Grass (Melinus nerviglumis) add movement, drama and color to any landscape or garden.

Needle Grass: Grass with sharply pointed leaves with airy, waving, often threadlike seedheads. Try our nodding needle grass (Stipa cernua) or purple needlegrass (Stipa pulchra).

More common varieties available throughout the country are:

Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis): famous for its fine texture and deep green color. Kentucky bluegrass is a popular choice for lawns in cooler climates.

Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon): a warm-season grass prized for its heat tolerance and drought resistance. It is a type of lawn grass that you can plant in sports fields and golf courses.

Zoysia Grass (Zoysia spp.): a warm-season grass with a dense, carpet-like growth habit. It's well-suited for lawns in warm regions.

Ryegrass (Lolium spp.): a cool-season grass that you can use for overseeding warm-season lawns in the fall for year-round greenery.

Buffalo Grass (Bouteloua dactyloides): a drought-tolerant grass native to high plains areas from Montana to Mexico and known for its low water and maintenance requirements.

Centipede Grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides): a low-maintenance, slow-growing grass that thrives in acidic soils.

St. Augustine Grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum): a warm-season grass known for its lush, coarse texture and shade tolerance.

Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea): a cool-season grass often used in lawns, particularly in transition zones where both warm and cool seasons are experienced.

Bahia Grass (Paspalum notatum): a warm-season grass famous for its heat and drought resistance, making it suitable for southern regions.

Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis): a warm-season grass native to central plains areas in North America. It is known for its unique seed heads and is well-adapted to arid environments. It is commonly used with Buffalo grass.

Seashore Paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum): a salt-tolerant grass present in coastal areas and golf courses near the ocean.

Bentgrass (Agrostis spp.): a fine-textured, cool-season grass often used on golf course putting greens.

Zebra Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus'): an ornamental grass known for its distinct horizontal stripes on its leaves.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum): a native warm-season grass used in conservation, biofuel production, and ornamental landscaping.

What are the different types of foliage plants?

At Annie’s, we offer a wide variety of foliage options for different growing conditions. Some plants have broad, lush leaves, while others have slender, elegant ones. We also offer flowering foliage and many different succulent options to help fill in your garden and add texture and lushness. We offer foliage plants of many different colors, heights, and variegated patterns.

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