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Ornamental Grass Growth Habits

Ornamental grasses have two distinct growth habits, running and clumping.

Running Grasses
Running ornamental grasses spread by creeping stems or rhizomous root growth. Some are slow spreading, while others may be fast spreading. Those that are faster spreading will tend to form dense mats and are best used as groundcovers with controlled edging or borders, or kept in control in container plantings.

Phalaris picta (ribbon grass) is a quick and aggressive ornamental grass, but very useful on hillsides where retention is required. Also makes a nice container.

Clumping Grasses
Clumping ornamental grasses grow in tufts, increasing in girth as they mature. They are also referred to as bunching grasses. Clumping ornamental grasses are not exclusively specimens. They can be planted in massed plantings for effect. Some varieties also make excellent groundcovers.

The tufted clumping ornamental grass, Festuca 'Elijahs Blue' used here as a groundcover.