In South Africa, grasses in general and indigenous grasses in particular, have seldom been used in gardens. The 'plant indigenous' drive and the trend to 'wild gardens' in garden design has changed this. To date, not much is known about the cultivation of our indigenous grasses in gardens, and only some nurseries have started selling them. However, this is changing as more and more people are becoming aware of the beauty of grasses and their usefulness in attracting animals, especially birds, to their gardens. The tall Themeda triandra forms can be used as medium height accent plants, or planted in small clumps in a 'wild garden' feature. Molinia (all) including M. caerulea subsp. caerulea'Heidebraut' (a) (purple moor grass) golden-yellow autumn foliage and airy plumes of purple flowers to 1.2m (4ft) Residents in milder coastal areas, milder counties and owners of warm, sheltered sunny walls might add considerably to these lists, e.g. Restio paniculatus, R. tetraphyllus (m).

Juncus patens 'Carman's Grey' (spreading rush) blue-grey leaves and glaucous stems. Height 90cm (3ft) Themeda triandra (Kangaroo grass)". New South Wales Government Department of Primary Industries . Retrieved 19 January 2020. Themeda triandra is a grass which grows in dense tufts up to 1.5 metres (4ft 11in) tall and 0.5 metres (1ft 8in) wide. It flowers in summer, producing large red-brown spikelets on branched stems. [3] The leaves are 10–30 centimetres (3.9–11.8in) in length and 1–8 millimetres (0.039–0.315in) wide [4] but can exceed 10–50 centimetres (3.9–19.7in) long and 2–5 millimetres (0.079–0.197in) wide. [3] Its inflorescence is compounded, fasciculated, is 10–30 centimetres (3.9–11.8in) long and composed of a single raceme. It pedicels are oblong and are 0.5mm long while its lemma is 25–70 millimetres (0.98–2.76in) long and is both apical and geniculate. The column of lemma's awn is hispidulous and twisted. [4] Many grasses produce mounds of foliage by summer and are beginning to flower in profusion, including:Milium effusum 'Aureum' AGM rich golden-yellow leaves may be pale green in shade. Height 60cm (2ft) Red fountain ornamental grass ( Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’) is a showy, clump forming grass with burgundy red leaves and feathery plumes of rosy purple blooms. You may know this attention grabber as crimson fountain grass. Although many types of fountain grass are invasive, this plant is well behaved and seldom sets seed. You can expect the plant to reach mature heights of about three to five feet (1 m.), with a similar spread. Carex (all) including Carex 'Ice Dance' (v)(e) bright green leaves margined white. Height 30cm (1ft) Cortaderia selloana'Aureolineata' (v) AGM(pampas grass) (e) glaucous mid-green leaves and summer pink or white pyramidal flower panicles on stout stems. Height to 3m (10ft) Miscanthus (all) including M. sinensis 'Flamingo' AGM with golden-orange tints and loose pink-flushed flower panicles. Height 1.5m (5ft) and M. sinensis 'Silberfeder' AGMfree-flowering flowerheads.of silver to palepinkish brown paniclesin autumn, remaining through winter.Height to 2.4m (8ft)

Length up to 1,5 m. A tufted perennial with 8 mm leaf blades. The inflorescence is a false panicle of drooping, V-shaped spikes. The grass is palatable in summer, but turns red and brittle in winter. Habitat Themeda triandra was first formally described in 1775 by Peter Forsskål who published the description in Flora Aegyptiaco-Arabica. [6] There are many synonyms of this species. [7] The specific epithet ( triandra) is the feminine of the Botanical Latin adjective triandrus, meaning "with three stamens", [8] based on the Greek-derived combining forms tri-, three, and -andrus, male. [9] Evergreen grasses and skeletal flower plumes add interest to the winter garden. Some to note for winter: Male, Dylan; Hunt, James; Celestina, Corinne; Morgan, John; Gupta, Dorin (31 December 2022). "Themeda triandra as a perennial seed crop in south-eastern Australia: What are the agronomic possibilities and constraints, and future research needs?". Cogent Food & Agriculture. 8 (1): 2153964. doi: 10.1080/23311932.2022.2153964. ISSN 2331-1932.

Recording grasses

Sesleria caerulea (blue moor grass) linear pale, blue-grey leaves and bluish purple spikelets in panicles. Height to 30cm (1ft) Festuca glauca 'Blaufuchs' (blue fox) (e) (c) dense tufts of bright-blue leaves. Height to 30cm (1ft) Popular for its bright red foliage, it can add a pop of color to any landscape. It needs full sun exposure and summer to get that deep red color on its top–Continuing this, its upper half turns into a burgundy hue in late fall. 4. Red Hook Sedge Festuca glauca 'Golden Toupee' (e) (c) densely tufted with bright yellow-green foliage. Height to 30cm (1ft) Ornamental grasses add color, texture, and charm to any landscape! Up the ante by adding ornamental grass to your garden in a stunning and bold hue: red! Here’s a list of 8 red ornamental grasses are sure to brighten any garden. 1. Red Switchgrass

It also does well in wet environments. This plant looks great as part of a garden landscape or in a patio planter. However, when planting it as part of landscaping, give Charlie Boy plenty of space because it has a strong root system and a leaf spread of 250 to 300 cm. 7. Kochia Scoparia Grass Millium effusum 'Aureum' AGM (Bowles' golden grass) (c) semi-evergreen rich golden-yellow leaves, especially in spring. Height 60cm (2ft) Red Grass is abundant in undisturbed open grassland and bushveld in parts with an average high rainfall. It is particularly common at an altitude of 1 300 - 3 000 m above sea level. It grows in any type of soil, but mostly in clay soil. Red Grass is found throughout southern and east Africa and in many countries around the world. FlowersPurple fountain grass, or red riding hood, creates clumps of leaves that look like water flowing up from a fountain. It grows up to 3 inches tall and produces 4-inch pink to burgundy bottlebrush-like flowers from June until the first freeze. Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' (switch grass) blue-grey foliage and airy panicles of iridescent purplish-red flowers. Height to 1.5m (5ft)

However, at present the commercial viability of kangaroo grass is limited by low seed yields and poor knowledge of broadacre crop management. [20] Hordeum jubatum (squirrel tail grass) linear light-green leaves and silky pale green spikelets flushed red. Short-lived but seeds about. Height 50cm (20ins) Koeleria glauca (glaucous hair grass) compact mound of glaucous, grey-green leaves and masses of upright stems bearing cylindrical panicles of silvery spikelets. Height to 40cm (16ins) Arundo donax (giant reed) and cultivars, stout stems and glaucous mid-green leaves. Height to 5m (15ft) Sesleria autumnalis vigorous mounds of yellow-green foliage and freely borne creamy flowers. Height 40cm (16ins|)Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' (blue fescue) (e) intense ice-blue fine, linear leaves. Height to 30cm (1ft) Red Grass UsesRed grass indicates veld that has good soil and is in a healthy condition. It is fire resistant and multiplies when the veld burns regularly, if not overgrazed. Acorus gramineus 'Hakuro-nishiki' (v)(Japanese rush) semi-evergreen fans of glossy,bright-yellow andgreen leaves. Height 35cm (14ins) Molinia caerulea subsp. caerulea 'Variegata' (v)(c) neat tufts of cream and green foliage. Height 45-60cm (18in-2ft) Small or dwarf ornamental grasses The flowers-heads (also called an inflorescence) are made up of small units called spikelets, which contain the florets (tiny flowers). Record the first flowering date when you can see an anther (the male part of the flower that produces the pollen) dangling from one of the tiny flowers. A magnifying glass may be required!