🌿 Ornamental Grasses for Cornish Gardens: Beauty, Benefits & Pampas Grass
The beauty of grasses.
Cornish gardens are something special. From Falmouth to the Helford, the coastal breezes, mild climate, and crisp autumn evenings make our outdoor spaces feel like a sanctuary.
As the end of September rolls in, it’s the perfect time to think about adding structure, movement, and texture to your garden with ornamental grasses. Not only are they hardy and low-maintenance, but they also bring life to any outdoor space — swaying in the breeze and providing year-round interest.
At ML Rashleigh & Son, we specialise in landscape gardening in Falmouth and across Cornwall, and we’ve seen how the right grasses can completely transform a garden. And yes, we’ll talk about the cheeky pampas grass too!
Why Grasses Are Perfect for Cornish Gardens
Grasses aren’t just fillers. They offer:
Year-round interest – Many stay upright and attractive through winter.
Movement & texture – Cornish breezes bring them to life.
Low maintenance – Hardy and simple to care for, perfect for busy homeowners.
Wildlife friendly – Provide shelter for birds and insects.
Drought tolerant – Survives Cornwall’s occasional dry spells.
For anyone planning garden landscaping in Cornwall or Falmouth, grasses are a reliable, beautiful option.
Evergreen carex adding structure and colour to a Cornish garden border.
Our Favourite Grasses for Cornish Gardens
Miscanthus (Maiden Grass)
Tall and elegant, perfect for creating privacy or dramatic borders. Its plumes appear in late summer and often last into winter.
Elegant miscanthus adding height and drama to this Cornish garden border.
Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass)
Delicate, flowing, and meadow-like — excellent for coastal gardens.
Soft, flowing stipa grass swaying gently in the coastal breeze.
Carex (Sedge)
Evergreen and colourful, adds structure and depth to any border.
Evergreen carex adding structure and colour to a Cornish garden border.
Pennisetum (Fountain Grass)
Fluffy bottlebrush plumes add texture and charm; great alongside perennials or patios.
Fluffy fountain grass plumes adding charm and movement to this Falmouth garden.
Festuca glauca (Blue Fescue)
Compact, spiky, and blue-grey — perfect for gravel gardens or lining paths.
Compact blue fescue lining a gravel path in a stylish Cornish garden.
Pampas Grass – The Cheeky Classic
No blog on ornamental grasses would be complete without pampas. Yes, the tall, feathery pampas with its cheeky reputation!
Once considered a “suburban statement” in the UK, pampas is now back in style for Cornish gardens. Its plumes can reach 3 metres tall, providing drama, structure, and late-season interest.
Our advice? Plant pampas because you love it, not the rumours. In the right spot, it becomes the star of any garden — especially if you’re investing in professional garden landscaping in Cornwall or Falmouth.
Dramatic pampas grass standing tall, adding bold architecture and autumn interest.
How to Use Grasses in Garden Design
Softening hard landscaping: Frame patios, decking, or paths.
Coastal planting: Many grasses thrive in salty air and sandy soil.
Low-maintenance borders: Combine with evergreen shrubs for year-round appeal.
Wildlife-friendly spaces: Mix grasses with wildflowers to support pollinators and birds.
Why Work with Professional Landscapers
Every garden in Cornwall is unique. Soil, exposure, and drainage vary from Falmouth to Penzance, so choosing the right grasses (and other plants) is crucial.
At ML Rashleigh & Son, we specialise in:
Landscape gardening Falmouth
Garden landscaping Cornwall
Garden design Cornwall
Patios, decking, and planting schemes
Seasonal planting and low-maintenance garden solutions
We help gardens look beautiful, practical, and easy to enjoy — whether you want bold pampas, soft swaying stipa, or a full garden transformation.
Let us help you get your garden done right.
So…
Ornamental grasses are simple, hardy, and full of charm. From elegant miscanthus to cheeky pampas, there’s a grass to suit every Cornish garden style.
If you’re thinking about landscape gardening in Falmouth or across Cornwall, contact ML Rashleigh & Son. Together, we can create a garden that’s stylish, low-maintenance, and perfectly Cornish.
