Grasses That Need Partial Sun
- Little Zebra (Miscanthus sinensis) is a clump forming ornamental grass named for its characteristic zebra-like striping. Little Zebra can be grown in partial sun conditions and is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. The plant grows to a mature size of 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide and produces deep purple bloom panicles in the fall that fade to light brown. Little Zebra maintains an upright, fountain like form but may fall over under the weight of its own blooms.
- Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) is a part-sun tolerant ornamental grass native to the eastern United States and hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8. Northern Sea Oats is a compact plant, reach a mature size of only 2 1/2 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Northern Sea Oats produces attractive seed heads that droop over the top of the plant and fade from green to purple as the season progresses.
- Hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, Japanese Bloodgrass (Imperata cylindrica) is a vibrantly colored upright grass reaching a mature height of 18 inches. Foliage on Japanese Bloodgrass grows in green and the top halves turn to deep red as the plant matures. Japanese Bloodgrass is tolerant of shadier conditions but produces more intense colorings with increased sunlight.
- Little Honey (Pennisetum alopecuroides) is a compact variety of fountain grass that grows to only a foot tall and wide. Little Honey produces the fountain grasses characteristic fluffy off-white blooms in the fall. Little Honey is tolerant of a wide range of light conditions from full sun to shade and will bloom reliably in partial sun.