Ornamental Grasses that Grow in Sandy Soil and Sun

Ornamental grasses that grow in sandy soil and Sun. These grasses are low maintenance and have visual appeal throughout the year. Many ornamental grasses are tolerant of sandy soil conditions. Sandy soil does not retain water or its nutrients due to the coarseness of its particles.

To grow plants in sandy soil you can either amend the soil or work with the soil you have. To correct the lack of water retention by amending the soil, add organic material or compost to the sandy soil. By amending the sandy soil with organic material, it becomes acceptable to more plants. However, this is difficult if you have a large area to cover. It is labor intensive and time consuming.

The other method, select plants and grasses that grow in sandy soil. Plants that are tolerant of sandy soil will even thrive in this soil condition.

Sandy Soil Tolerant Plants, Ground Covers, and Ornamental Grasses

If you are interested in using sandy soil tolerant grasses then this post includes some suggestions to help you. Selecting ornamental grasses that grow in sandy soil and require Sun.

In our previous posts, we noted plants and ground covers that grow in sandy soil and Sun. Today’s topic covers ornamental grasses that tolerate sandy soils in full Sun. If you are interested in sandy soil tolerant plants then see our previous post – Plants that grow in sandy soil and Sun. and for ground covers see this post – Ground Covers that Grow in Sandy Soil and Sun.

Now on to our list of ornamental grasses that thrive in the Sun and sandy soil tolerant. Take a look and let us know what you think.

Pink Flamingo Muhly Grass – Ornamental Grasses that Grow in Sandy Soil and Sun

Ornamental grasses that grow in sandy soil and Sun Pink Flamingo Muhly Grass #SandySoil #SandySoilOrnamentalGrasses #OrnamentalGrasses #Gardening #GrassesForSandySoil #SandySoilSolutions #Landscaping — Ornamental Grasses that Grow in Sandy soil and Sun – Pink Flamingo Muhly Grass

A spectacular grass, the Pink Flamingo Muhly Grass has big, thin evergreen leaves with bright pink flower plumes. A heat loving hybrid discovered in Texas that is a cross between Gulf Coast Muhly and Deer Grass occurring naturally. This variety of muhly grass has a narrow, upright growing habit.

native
grows in zones 6 to 10
full Sun
reaches 4 to 5 feet tall with a spread of 15 to 18 inches wide
blooms are soft pink floral spikes with narrow blue-green foliage
blooms early to mid Fall
resistant to deer
tolerates sandy, average, low fertility, and well-draining soil conditions
tolerant of drought garden conditions, a xeric plant – water wise
grows best in mid-Atlantic, Southeast, West, Southwest, Hot Desert, and the Pacific Northwest of the regions in the US

2. Pennisetum alopecuroides Cayenne

Plant in Containers Pennisetum alopecuroides Cayenne #SandySoil #SandySoilOrnamentalGrasses #OrnamentalGrasses #Gardening #GrassesForSandySoil #SandySoilSolutions #Landscaping — Plant in Containers – Pennisetum alopecuroides Cayenne

Pennisetum alopecuroides Cayenne is a Fountain Grass. Use in planting in sweeping masses or as a specimen plant. Arrange the spent flower seed heads in fresh and dried floral arrangements. The Cayenne Pennisetum was developed by Wayne Hanna at the University of Georgia.

grows in zones 5 to 9
full Sun to mostly Sunny
reaches 42 inches to 48 inches tall
blooms are toasted brown bottlebrush plumes over rich green arching blades
blooms from mid Summer to mid Fall
resistant to deer
plant on slope or bank and in containers
tolerant of hot dry sites and humidity conditions
provides Winter Interest in the garden

3. Blackhawks Big Bluestem

Ornamental Grasses that Grow in Sandy Soil and Sun Blackhawks Big Bluestem #SandySoil #SandySoilOrnamentalGrasses #OrnamentalGrasses #Gardening #GrassesForSandySoil #SandySoilSolutions #Landscaping — Ornamental Grasses that Grow in Sandy Soil and Sun – Blackhawks Big Bluestem

The Blackhawks Big Bluestem easily naturalizes. Blackhawks turn from dark green to dramatic dark colors. Darker colors add depth and drama to the landscape.

grows in zones 3 to 9
full Sun
reaches 4 to 5 feet tall with a spread of 18 to 30 inches wide
blooms are flower spikes
foliage opens dark green, then becomes dark purple followed by nearly black in the Fall
blooms from late Summer to early Fall
tolerant of sandy soil conditions
provides erosion control
plant in mass

4. Pink Cloud Muhly Grass – Ornamental Grasses that Grow in Sandy Soil and Sun

Attracts Birds Pink Cloud Muhly Grass #SandySoil #SandySoilOrnamentalGrasses #OrnamentalGrasses #Gardening #GrassesForSandySoil #SandySoilSolutions #Landscaping — Attracts Birds – Pink Cloud Muhly Grass

Billows of airy pink floral panicles tower over the foliage of the Pink Cloud Muhly Grass. Grows in a dense clump with a fountain-like effect. This fountain-like effect is where this grass gets its namesake of a cloud-like effect.

native
grows in zones 5 to 9 full Sun
reaches 24 to 36 inches tall and wide
blooms are airy pink floral panicles that rise above the foliage
foliage leaf blade color turns buff to copper in Autumn
blooms early to late Fall
attracts birds
resistant to deer
plant for erosion control, hedges and screens , and mass plantings
thrives on hot, dry sites and is drought tolerant once established
tolerates the toughest growing conditions, from sea spray to poor soils

5. Panicum virgatum Totem Pole

Attracts Birds Panicum virgatum Totem Pole #SandySoil #SandySoilOrnamentalGrasses #OrnamentalGrasses #Gardening #GrassesForSandySoil #SandySoilSolutions #Landscaping — Attracts Birds – Panicum virgatum Totem Pole

A part of the Prairie Winds series, the Panicum virgatum Totem Pole is also known as Switch Grass and Panic Grass. The Totem Pole is ideal for smaller spaces by providing height and vertical interest.

grows in zones 4 to 9
part shade and part Sun to full Sun
reaches 5 to 6 feet tall
gold seed panicles
foliage is steel-blue
blooms from late Summer to early Fall
Attracts birds that seek shelter over the Winter months
resistant to deer
grow in containers or as a hedge
tolerant to normal, clay, and sandy soil conditions
tolerates seaside – salt and wet site conditions
provides Winter interest to the garden

6. Thin Man Indian Grass

Native Plant Thin Man Indian Grass #SandySoil #SandySoilOrnamentalGrasses #OrnamentalGrasses #Gardening #GrassesForSandySoil #SandySoilSolutions #Landscaping — Native Plant – Thin Man Indian Grass

The Thin Man Indian Grass is a selected form of native Indian Grass that has a narrow, upright growth habit. Thin Man was originally collected near Clovis, NM. More xeric and tolerant of dry growing conditions than other varieties.

native
grows in zones 4 to 9
full Sun
reaches 6 feet tall with a spread of 24 to 30 inches wide
bloom color is wheat, bronze that produce large seeds
foliage is blue
blooms late summer
attracts birds and other seed eating wildlife
tolerates sandy, clay, and average soil conditions
resistant to deer
water wise

7. White Feather Pampas Grass – Ornamental Grasses that Grow in Sandy Soil and Sun

Ornamental Grasses that Grow in Sandy Soil and Sun White Feather Pampas Grass #SandySoil #SandySoilOrnamentalGrasses #OrnamentalGrasses #Gardening #GrassesForSandySoil #SandySoilSolutions #Landscaping — Ornamental Grasses that Grow in Sandy Soil and Sun – White Feather Pampas Grass

White Feather Pampas Grass has enormous feathery plumes that stand up to eight feet tall. Plumes sway above arching foliage.

grows in zones 7 to 10
full Sun
reaches 6 to 7 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide
blooms are white plume
blooms from mid Summer to Fall
tolerates sandy, loamy, and drought to dry soil conditions once established attract birds
resistant to deer
grow for erosion control, in mass plantings, and hedges or as privacy screen
use in cut and dried floral bouquets
grows best in the West, Southwest, and Pacific Northwest regions of the US

8. Karley Rose Fountain Grass

Attracts Birds Karley Rose Fountain Grass #SandySoil #SandySoilOrnamentalGrasses #OrnamentalGrasses #Gardening #GrassesForSandySoil #SandySoilSolutions #Landscaping — Attracts Birds – Karley Rose Fountain Grass

Karley Rose Fountain Grass is known for its decorative rose-purple plumes.

grows in 5 to 9
part shade and part Sun to full Sun
reaches 24 to 36 inches tall and wide
blooms are deep pink plumes
bloom from mid Summer through Fall
attract birds
resistant to deer
use in cut and dried floral bouquets
tolerates sandy, loamy, drought dry soil conditions once established
tolerant of dry site conditions
grow in containers and in mass plantings
provides Winter interest to the garden
grow in containers, en masse
tolerant of drought conditions once established

9. Silver Spike Grass – Ornamental Grasses that Grow in Sandy Soil and Sun

Attracts Birds Silver Spike Grass #SandySoil #SandySoilOrnamentalGrasses #OrnamentalGrasses #Gardening #GrassesForSandySoil #SandySoilSolutions #Landscaping — Attracts Birds – Silver Spike Grass

Silver Spike Grass, an Old World species, is grown for its silver-green flower spikes. In the US, Silver Spike Grass was introduced by Lauren Springer Ogden. specimen-worthy species with highly visible areas of your landscape.

European native
grows in zones 5 to 8
full Sun
reaches 36 inches tall and wide
showy, silver green flowering spikes turn tawny brown in the Fall
seed head ages to tawny brown
tolerates sandy, clay, and average soil conditions
tolerant of drought conditions once established, a xeric grass
best grown in the western US and areas with higher altitude where summer humidity is low with cool nights

This ends our list of ornamental grasses that grow in sandy soil and Sun. We hope you enjoyed our post. Be sure to let us know what you think. If you have sandy soil, have you had success growing certain ornamental grasses? We’d love to know about your success stories. If you enjoyed this post . . . .