7 Ornamental Grasses That Thrive in Shady Gardens Add texture to shady spaces with these plants. Close Credit: Getty Images It can be difficult to find plants to fill your shade garden with, as many varieties grow best in full or partial sun. If you're looking for ideas, consider these shade-loving ornamental grasses. Their fine texture and subtle colors contrast beautifully with other popular shade plants, like hostas and astilbes. Ornamental grasses offer movement and a soothing rustling sound, adding personality to a shaded space. Plus, these expert-recommended ornamental grasses are easy to care for and don't require much attention once they are established. Mary Phillips, head of native plant habitat strategy and certifications at the National Wildlife Federation Linda Vater, plant expert for Southern Living Plant Collection Damon Abdi, assistant professor of landscape horticulture at Louisiana State University 12 Shade-Loving Ground Covers That Thrive With Minimal Sunlight 01 of 07 Blue-Eyed Grass Credit: Getty Images Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium albidum) boasts a profusion of delicate blue-purple, star-shaped flowers that appear in late spring to early summer, says Mary Phillips, head of native plant habitat strategy and certifications at the National Wildlife Federation. The fine-textured foliage forms attractive clumps that thrive on the ground or in containers. Blue-eyed grass is drought-tolerant once established. Zones: 3 to 8Size: 18 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wideCare requirements: Partial shade; moist, slightly acidic, well-draining soil 02 of 07 Lomandra Credit: Getty Images Lomandra (Lomandra spp.) is a lovely addition to a shade garden. "The thin-leaved foliage adds a fine texture and gentle movement that contrasts beautifully with broad-leaved shade plants, such as hostas or ferns," says Linda Vater, plant expert for Southern Living Plant Collection. "Most cultivars are remarkably adaptable and can thrive in a wide range of soil types and partial shade." Zones: 8 to 11Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wideCare requirements: Partial to full shade; loamy, well-draining soil 03 of 07 Pennsylvania Sedge Credit: Getty Images Pennsylvania sedge (Carex Pensylvanica) spreads slowly by rhizomes, creating a beautiful ground cover. It tolerates deep shade and is drought-tolerant once established, says Phillips, adding that it is a larval host plant for many butterfly and moth species. If your front or backyard is shaded, Pennsylvania sedge is a great no-mow alternative to turf grass. Zones: 3 to 8Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 12 to 15 inches wideCare requirements: Partial to full shade; loamy, well-draining soil 04 of 07 Northern Sea Oats Credit: Getty Images A small to medium clumping grass, Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) has distinctive, oat-like seed heads that lend a unique look to the landscape in summer, says Damon Abdi, assistant professor of landscape horticulture at Louisiana State University. While it thrives in shade, Abdi notes that its yellow fall color is most impressive in sunnier locations. Zones: 5 to 9 Size: 2 to 5 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wideCare requirements: Partial to full shade; moist, well-draining soil 05 of 07 Japanese Forest Grass Credit: Joshua McCullough / Getty Images With its mounding form and cascading bright green foliage, Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) creates a stunning effect in shady locations of the landscape. Abdi advises against growing this plant in full sun conditions, especially if you live in a warmer climate. Zones: 5 to 9Size: 2 to 5 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wideCare requirements: Partial to full shade; moist, well-draining soil 06 of 07 Blue Fescue Credit: Getty Images Blue fescue (Festuca glauca) is a small ground cover or bed-edging ornamental grass that has a beautiful blueish hue. According to Abdi, its color will be even more vibrant if given more light, but it performs well in shady locations, too. Zones: 4 to 9Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil 07 of 07 Feather Reed Grass The Flowers, or Inflorescence, of Feather Reed Grass 'Overdam'. Credit: Getty Images Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora) adds vertical height to shaded gardens. "Its upright flower stalks add an appeal to the landscape in summer, lending an appreciable form as it stands above the grass clump," says Abdi. Zones: 4 to 11Size: 3 to 5 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil Explore more: Garden