Eight plant combinations of grasses and flowers

Deep-maroon allium blooms above fluffy cream seedheads and maroon foliage of pennisetum

The real boon of combining the two is that, while themselves beautiful, grasses and their more muted tones provide the ideal foil for colourful flowers, helping them to leap out and catch the eye.

Not only this, but with most being wind-pollinated, grasses have a natural inclination to carry on the wind and bring movement to planting schemes.

Discover eight beautiful plant combinations of ornamental grasses and flowers to recreate in your garden, below.

Lagurus and verbena

This combination brings together the pom-pom shaped seedheads of Lagurus ovatus and the garden favourite Verbena bonariensis. Set against a backdrop of golden-green colour, the bright lavender-purple flowers are a sensation, coming together to form a breezy and relaxed mix. Here's how to grow verbena from seed.

Anemanthele, epimedium and box

Perfect for a shady spot, this combination uses the evergreen pheasant's tail grass (Anemanthele lessoniana) and Epimedium x rubrum. The rosy epimedium growth provides a burst of colour amongst the green foliage, from which will emerge magenta-coloured flowers from April to May. The anemanthele rounds off the display by turning a rich bronze colour in autumn and winter.

Pheasant's tail grass (Anemanthele lessioniana) and Epimedium x rubrum — Rosy, heart-shaped epimedium leaves contrasting evergreen pheasant's tail grass

Festuca, santolina and violas

This container combination marries the muted silver and white tones of Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue', Santolina chamaecyparissus, white-flowered Viola cornuta, Gaultheria mucronata and variegated ivy. A smattering of viola blooms stands out all the more against the silvery foliage, while the santolina will continue the display into summer, with bright yellow flowers in July and August.

Alopecurus, dryopteris and leucanthemum

This simple but effective combination puts together meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis), ox-eye daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare) and Japanese shield ferns (Dryopteris erythrosora), creating an airy, meadow-like display. To enhance this combination, you could add other key meadow plants into the mix.

Pennisetum and allium

Here, Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum' and Allium sphaerocephalon merge, combining intense maroon and purple tones, with floaty grass seedheads scattered throughout. Bees and other pollinators will love the alliums, too. Here are more ways to make your garden bee-friendly in summer.

Phlox and deschampsia

These Phlox 'Dusterlohe' blooms stand out so much against the golden foliage of Deschampsia cespitosa that they almost seem to be suspended in air. The neutral grass colouring helps to balance out the bright magenta.

Alliums, molinia and poppies

The addition of Molinia caerulea to this combination helps to add a sense of fullness, that would otherwise be lacking, given that the colourful alliums and poppies have thin, tapering stems. This combination should last from early to mid-summer.

Alliums and molinia — Tall alliums and poppies growing with molina

Fennel, sanguisorba and molinia

This naturalistic planting combines fennel, Sanguisorba officinalis and Molinia 'Edith Dudszus', set against an understated grey wall. Ideally suited to a moist, well-drained spot in full sun.

Fennel and molinia — Yellow fennel and bronze sanguisorba flowers with molinia against a grey wall

Need more persuading?

If you need more reasons to grow ornamental grasses, take into account that they're low-maintenance plants and many grow well in poor soil. Most are hardy, resistant to pests and diseases and are quick growing. Discover more growing advice for them in our ornamental grasses grow guide.