Here is a list of some of the best looking ornamental grasses that do very well in Utah and are very waterwise. These grasses can handle hot and dry locations and they will only need supplemental water during the hottest parts of summer. From mid-June through August, they will need to be watered deeply every 2 or 3 weeks (or less – you can experiment).
- Little Bluestem Grass – Schizachyrium scoparium
- Switchgrass – Panicum virgatum; several varieties:
Dallas Blues, Heavy Metal, Shenandoah, Cloud Nine - Feather Reed Grass – Calamagrostis acutiflora; several varieties:
Karl Foerster Grass, Avalanche, Overdam
Great Basin Wild rye – Elymus cinereus
Atlas Fescue – Festuca Mairei
Indian Rice Grass – Oryzopsis hymenoides
Blue Grama, Mosquito Grass – Bouteloua gracilis
