ornamental grasses with yellow flowers

Add Some Sunshine to Your Garden with Ornamental Grasses Boasting Golden Blooms

Gardeners are increasingly embracing ornamental grasses for their graceful movement unique textures, and ability to provide multi-season interest. While many ornamental grasses produce airy plumes in shades of purple pink, white or silver, there are some absolutely stunning varieties that showcase vibrant golden-yellow blooms.

These sunny ornamental grasses can brighten up any outdoor space and beautifully complement flower gardens. They come in a range of sizes – from giant statement-making varieties to petite types ideal for containers. Keep reading to discover some fantastic ornamental grasses that dazzle with their golden-hued blooms and foliage.

Big Bluestem for Dramatic Vertical Accents

One of the most dramatic native ornamental grasses is Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), which was dominant in the tallgrass prairies of North America. This statuesque grass grows up to 6 feet tall and forms handsome upright clumps of blue-green foliage that turns a rich coppery-bronze in fall. From mid-summer into fall, delicate fuzzy yellow flowers dance gracefully atop the slender stalks, rising high above the foliage.

Big Bluestem thrives in full sun and readily adapts to various soil conditions, including moist areas. But it’s also drought tolerant when established. Use this bold grass as a thrilling vertical accent in borders or naturalized areas. Its striking form looks especially beautiful backlit by the evening sun.

Graceful Little Bluestem for Multi-Season Interest

For a smaller ornamental grass with golden blooms, Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a wonderful option. This versatile North American native grows 2 to 4 feet tall and displays incredible seasonal color. The slender green leaves transform into stunning shades of orange, red and purple in fall. Little Bluestem also produces fluffy silver seed heads that glisten attractively in winter sunlight.

From August to October, delicate fuzzy yellow flowers appear on thin stalks, providing a final burst of color before winter dormancy. Thriving in full sun and poor, dry soils, use Little Bluestem en masse along borders, in meadow gardens or prairie-style landscapes. It also looks fantastic planted in drifts along a driveway or hillside.

Indian Grass for Gorgeous Golden Fall Color

Another prairie native grass that offers yellow blooms is Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans). This handsome upright grass reaches 3 to 5 feet tall and delivers incredible golden color in autumn. Indian Grass emerges with green foliage that gradually takes on vibrant yellow and orange hues in fall.

From August into winter, large, airy panicles of shiny yellow flowers and seed heads rise above the foliage, swaying gracefully in the gentlest breeze. Indian Grass grows best in full sun and medium to wet soils but can tolerate short dry periods once established. Use this easy-care grass in borders, native gardens or wildflower meadows.

Compact Yellow Indiangrass for Smaller Spaces

If you love Indian Grass but have limited space, check out Yellow Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans ‘Sioux Blue’). This is a dwarf cultivar that only reaches about 2 feet tall. It forms a neat, upright clump of slender bluish-green leaves that take on orange tones in fall.

In late summer, golden-yellow flower spikes emerge, eventually lengthening to 1 foot long. Yellow Indiangrass maintains its yellow and bluish-green hues into fall and produces fluffy cream-colored seed heads for winter interest after the blooms fade. It thrives in full sun and dry to medium moisture levels. Use this petite charmer along walkways, in containers or at the front of borders.

Vibrant Foliage and Wheat-Like Blooms from Siberian Lyme Grass

Siberian Lyme Grass (Leymus angustus) offers incredibly dynamic foliage that transforms through the seasons. The leaves emerge bluish-green in spring, then turn bright golden-yellow in summer. As fall approaches, the foliage shifts again to deeper sunset shades of orange and red. From July to September, upright stems bear wheat-like spiked flowers in a mix of purple, green and yellow.

This cold hardy grass can reach about 5 feet tall, but there are more compact cultivars too. Siberian Lyme Grass tolerates drought, poor soils, high winds and seaside conditions. Use it as an eye-catching accent or plant en masse to create sweeps of color that change dramatically with the seasons. It looks especially striking when backlit by sunlight.

Delicate Yellow Eyed Grass for Charming Blooms

For a dainty ornamental grass graced with yellow blooms, Yellow Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium californicum) is a delightful choice. This petite grass grows just 4 to 10 inches tall, forming tidy grassy clumps. The slender green leaves are topped with bright golden-yellow flowers in late spring and early summer.

The cheerful yellow blooms feature a purple or brown center eye, explaining the common name. Yellow Eyed Grass thrives in part shade with consistent moisture but tolerates some drought once established. Use this diminutive charmer along walkways, as a groundcover or in rock gardens and cottage gardens.

Golden Oats for Dangling Fall and Winter Interest

Golden Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) provides lovely arching foliage and unique dangling spikelets. This ornamental grass grows 3 to 4 feet tall in loose, upright clumps. The flat green leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and yellow in fall. From late summer into winter, oat-like flower clusters emerge in a striking golden color, eventually fading to light tan.

Golden Oats flourishes in part shade and evenly moist soils. Plant it along woodland paths where its gracefully drooping foliage will flutter in the breeze. It also looks beautiful massed on slopes or in woodland gardens. Just beware – this grass spreads vigorously so containment may be needed.

Whimsical Fiber Optic Grass for Playful Texture

For delightful, whimsical appeal, include Fiber Optic Grass (Isolepis cernua) in garden beds and containers. This petite annual grass forms a rounded fountain-like mound just 4 to 8 inches tall. The thin wiry stems give it a fuzzy, fluffy appearance. Tiny bristly golden-yellow flower heads top the mounds in summer and fall.

Fiber Optic Grass thrives in part sun with consistent moisture. Use it along walkways, to fill gaps between pavers or as a cascading element in mixed containers. The airy, mop-head texture pairs perfectly with bold foliage from coleus, cannas or elephant ears.

Graceful Golden Hair Grass

Golden Hair Grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) is an attractive cool-season perennial grass that delivers an airy, delicate effect. This ornamental grass forms tidy, rounded clumps about 2 feet tall and wide. The fine-textured green foliage turns gorgeous shades of orange, gold and red in fall. From late spring into summer, small golden-yellow panicles rise gracefully above the leaves on slender winding stems.

Golden Hair Grass prefers partial shade and consistently moist soils. Its relatively fine texture allows it to blend seamlessly into borders and woodland gardens. Pair it with shade-loving ferns, astilbes and other woodland perennials for beautiful combinations. It also looks lovely planted near ponds or water features.

Giant Yellow Pampas Grass Makes a Bold Statement

Seeking a big, bold grass that commands attention? Yellow Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana) is sure to turn heads! This giant grass shoots upwards by 10 feet or more. In late summer, enormous fluffy plumes emerge in a mix of silvery white, soft pink and golden-yellow. The monumental size and showy blooms make this grass an instant focal point.

However, Yellow Pampas Grass requires ample room to grow properly and can spread invasively. It also tends to collapse after heavy snow or storms without proper structural support. Use this dramatic grass only if you have space for it to expand. Site it by a sturdy wall or trellis for support.

Sunny Golden Japanese Forest Grass for Shady Areas

Golden Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’) features graceful arching foliage and thrives in shade – uncommon for ornamental grasses. This variety sports leaves vibrantly striped in green, sunny yellow and white for a bright evergreen effect. Airy plumes of pale greenish-yellow flowers appear in early fall, but the colorful leaves steal the show.

Golden Japanese Forest Grass grows slowly to form an arching mound about 18 inches tall and wide. It prefers partial to full shade and moist, organically enriched soil. Use it as an eye-catching accent in woodland gardens or shady borders. It partners beautifully with hostas, ferns and variegated shrubs like dogwoods.

Vivid Golden Ribbon Grass for Striking Color

For gorgeous variegated color, grow Golden Ribbon Grass (Phalaris arundinacea picta ‘Strawberries and Cream’). This compact, clump-forming grass reaches 12 to 18 inches tall and wide. The graceful arching leaves are vividly striped in green, yellow, pink and white for nonstop color.

In early summer, subtle greenish flower spikes emerge but the leaves remain the star attraction all season. This grass thrives in part sun and moist, fertile soil. Feature it in containers, borders or rain gardens where its bright foliage can shine.

Sunny Blooms and Foliage from Ornamental Grasses

Looking to illuminate your garden with vibrant golden color? Include ornamental grasses that flaunt yellow blooms and foliage. The variety of sizes and textures allows you to add a pop of sunshine in beds and borders or create dramatic focal points. Play around with these glowing grasses to highlight and complement the other plants in your garden.