Drought-Resistant Ornamental Grasses

"Where drinking water is scarce, it doesn't make sense to use so much of it on our lawns and flowers," says landscape designer Nicole Lopez, who works in drought-prone Santa Monica. "You need to match plants to the climate that you live in. It just doesn't work the other way around."

The ornamental grasses in this gallery are excellent choices for low-water gardening. Plant information is provided for each, including climate zone information, which links to our Hardiness Zone Map.

Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus')

Clumping, graceful green leaf blades; coppery-red plumes in fall; grows 4 to 6 feet tall; prefers full sun, average soil; hardy to -10 degrees F; zones 4 to 10.