Native ornamental grasses are among the most versatile tools available to Australian landscape architects. They add movement, texture, and softness to structured spaces while performing vital environmental functions such as stabilising slopes and reducing erosion. Beyond their practical benefits, grasses help unify planting schemes, creating gardens that feel grounded, resilient, and authentically connected to place.
At Inspired Exteriors, we use grasses as design elements, not background fillers. They are integrated early in our process, working alongside trees, shrubs, and materials to create landscapes that are cohesive and enduring.
Designing with Native Ornamental Grasses
Grasses bring rhythm and balance to a garden. Their fine textures contrast with broad-leaved plants and structural materials like stone or steel, while their natural movement introduces calm and continuity. When planted in sweeping masses, grasses create sculptural carpets that respond to wind and light. Used sparingly, individual clumps can highlight focal points or soften hard architectural lines.
In formal gardens, grasses may be arranged in clean, repeated bands to create structure and pattern. In naturalistic landscapes, they blend seamlessly with shrubs and trees, creating layers that feel effortless and organic. The key is proportion – selecting species that suit the site’s scale and ensuring the planting reads as intentional rather than incidental.
Choosing the Right Native Ornamental Grasses
Not all native grasses perform the same way. Success depends on matching the right species to the conditions of the site – sunlight, moisture, soil type, and exposure.
Some of the most reliable options include:
- Lomandra species such as ‘Tanika’, ’Shara’, and ‘Crackerjack’: adaptable, low-maintenance, and ideal for Sydney’s conditions.
- Carex ‘Frosted Curls’: fine-textured and reflective, perfect for contrast in shaded or sheltered areas.
- Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass): provides strong colour variation through the seasons.
- Poa labillardieri: soft movement and subtle texture, ideal for mass planting.
- Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Nafray’: a structured, architectural grass that performs well in formal designs.
- Dianella revoluta: upright, durable, and flowering, ideal for edging or large-scale planting.
Beyond their beauty, native grasses are key to sustainable planting design. Their deep roots knit soil together, making them essential for slope stability, water infiltration, and long-term landscape performance.
Learn more about Australian native grasses from Ozbreed’s Native Australian Ornamental Grasses Guide.
Applying Grasses Across Residential and Commercial Landscapes
The adaptability of native ornamental grasses makes them invaluable for both residential and commercial settings.
At our Hunters Hill project, we designed a steep garden using a palette of Lomandra ‘Tanika’, Lomandra ‘Shara’, Lomandra ‘Crackerjack’, and Carex ‘Frosted Curls’. Together, they softened the slope, provided year-round structure, and tied the planting to the architecture through colour and form.
For our design on the Royal Randwick Hotel (Australian Turf Club), grasses such as Dianella revoluta, Lomandra longifolia, and Pennisetum Nafray were chosen for their ability to handle high-traffic conditions while maintaining a refined aesthetic. Their repetition and texture create visual unity throughout the large-scale commercial project.
In both contexts, grasses bring balance and rhythm, linking buildings and outdoor spaces while enhancing usability and ecological performance.
The Role of Landscape Architects in Design
For professional landscape architects, grasses offer both design flexibility and ecological integrity. They function as the connective tissue of a landscape – softening edges, framing views, and supporting biodiversity. When integrated with trees, groundcovers, and structural materials, they form a continuous design language that responds to site and climate.
At Inspired Exteriors, grasses are specified not only for their beauty but for their function. They are considered at every stage of design, from concept to construction, ensuring they complement materials, architecture, and the surrounding environment.
GET IN TOUCH to discuss how our landscape architects can incorporate native grasses into your next residential or commercial project.
