• Ornamental grasses have prominent flower plumes.Lisa Kyle Young/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  Widely planted in low-maintenance landscapes, ornamental grasses come in sizes from small to very large, in all shades of green, yellow and gold or variegated. Most varieties have spectacular flowers that are held well above their foliage. Ornamental grasses hold their shape through the winter, adding interest to snow-filled landscapes.
  
  

Silky Threadgrass

• A cool-season grass hardy through U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 5, silky threadgrass (Nassella tenuissima) grows 1 1/2 feet high. It is an erect, clumping grass with fine textured, yellow-green leaves. Its seed heads are prominent and give the appearance of waves in mass plantings. It tolerates partial shade and becomes dormant in hot, dry weather.
  
  

Tufted Hair Grass

• A multicolored cultivar, "Northern Lights" tufted hair grass (Deschampsia caespitosa "Northern Lights") has gold, white and pink variegated leaves. The flowers start out green, then turn yellow and finally purple. It is a cool-season grass, growing 3 to 4 feet high. "Northern Lights" can tolerate light shade and grows in all types of soils except heavy clay. It is hardy to USDA zone 4.
  
  

Zebra Grass

• Hardy to USDA zone 5, zebra grass (Miscenthus sinensis "Zebrinus") grows to a massive height of 7 feet. Its foliage is green with yellow bands. It has burgundy flowers that turn buff in winter and can reach 8 feet in height. Zebra grass grows best in full to partial sun and moderately moist to moist soil. Although considered a four-season grass, it should be cut to the ground in late March.