Birds bring joy and life to any garden, and planting the right types of grass can make your yard a favorite gathering spot for our feathered friends.
Discover these 34 unique grass varieties that not only enhance the beauty of your outdoor space but also attract and support bird life.
1. Switchgrass
Imagine a garden alive with the gentle rustling of tall switchgrass. This native North American grass forms dense clumps that sway gracefully in the breeze, providing shelter and seeds for birds.
Growing tips: Adaptable to various soil types, switchgrass flourishes in sunny spots. Regular watering during dry spells keeps it lush and inviting for birds to explore.
2. Little Bluestem
Transform your yard into a bird paradise with little bluestem. Its striking blue-green stems transition to a fiery red in fall, offering food and habitat for birds.
Growing tips: Plant in well-drained soil and full sun for best color display. Little bluestem thrives with minimal care, making it a low-maintenance choice for bird lovers.
3. Feather Reed Grass
Elevate your garden’s elegance with feather reed grass. Its tall, feathery plumes stand out, providing birds with seeds and a vantage point to watch your garden.
Growing tips: Prefers moist, fertile soil but is quite tolerant of drier conditions once established. Cut back in late winter to encourage fresh spring growth.
4. Purple Lovegrass
Add a splash of color with the delicate blooms of purple lovegrass. This low-growing grass offers seeds that birds adore, creating a lively scene in your yard.
Growing tips: Prefers sandy, well-drained soil and can handle full sun or partial shade. It’s drought-tolerant, making it ideal for busy gardeners.
5. Indian Grass
Bring the prairie to your garden with majestic Indian grass. Its golden plumes provide a picturesque setting that attracts a variety of birds.
Growing tips: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil for the best results. Tolerates dry conditions, making it perfect for low-water landscapes.
6. Fountain Grass
Create a focal point with the graceful arching plumes of fountain grass. Its seed heads are a favorite among birds, offering them a treat as they visit your garden.
Growing tips: Prefers well-drained soil and full sun, though it can tolerate light shade. Regular pruning will keep it looking tidy and vibrant.
7. Blue Fescue
Introduce a pop of color with the cool hues of blue fescue. This compact grass forms neat mounds that birds find irresistible for foraging.
Growing tips: Best suited for sunny locations with well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant and requires little maintenance—perfect for the eco-conscious gardener.
8. Zebra Grass
Add visual interest with the unique stripes of zebra grass. Its bold, banded appearance provides both a visual treat and food source for birds.
Growing tips: Thrives in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Regular watering during dry periods ensures it remains lush and healthy.
9. Miscanthus
Transform your landscape with the towering presence of miscanthus. Its feathery plumes offer seeds that birds can’t resist, making it a garden staple.
Growing tips: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil for optimal growth. Regular pruning in late winter keeps it looking fresh year-round.
10. Pink Muhly Grass
Infuse your garden with the ethereal beauty of pink muhly grass. Its cloud-like pink blooms provide a whimsical backdrop where birds delight in gathering.
Growing tips: Enjoys sunny spots with well-drained soil, and handles drought conditions well. Minimal maintenance required, just cut back in late winter.
11. Japanese Blood Grass
Introduce drama with the fiery hues of Japanese blood grass. Its striking red tips capture attention while offering seeds that birds enjoy.
Growing tips: Prefers moist, well-drained soil and full to partial sun. Regular watering helps maintain its vivid color and lushness.
12. Northern Sea Oats
Create an enchanting scene with the graceful nodding seed heads of northern sea oats. This ornamental grass provides food and cover for birds, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem.
Growing tips: Thrives in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Cut back in early spring to allow new growth to flourish.
13. Sideoats Grama
Capture the charm of the prairie with sideoats grama. Its distinctive oat-like seeds dangle attractively, providing nourishment for visiting birds.
Growing tips: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil for best results. Tolerant of drought, making it a resilient choice for sustainable gardens.
14. Buffalo Grass
Turn your yard into a natural haven with buffalo grass. Its low-growing habit provides a lush, inviting carpet where birds love to forage.
Growing tips: Requires full sun and thrives in well-drained soil. Drought-resistant and low maintenance, it’s perfect for eco-friendly landscapes.
15. Prairie Dropseed
Enchant your senses with the fragrant blooms of prairie dropseed. This grass offers seeds that attract a variety of birds, adding life to your space.
Growing tips: Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant and low maintenance, appealing to busy gardeners.
16. Big Bluestem
Transform your garden’s skyline with the towering stature of big bluestem. Its robust presence provides both seeds and shelter for birds, enriching the ecosystem.
Growing tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It’s hardy and drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for sustainable gardening.
17. Maiden Grass
Introduce elegance with the soft, flowing blades of maiden grass. Its feathery plumes are a feast for the eyes and a favorite for birds.
Growing tips: Thrives in full sun with moist, well-drained soil. Cut back in late winter to keep it looking fresh and vibrant.
18. Lemon Grass
Infuse your garden with a citrusy aroma with lemon grass. While primarily known for its culinary uses, its seeds are loved by birds, adding dual purpose to your planting.
Growing tips: Prefers warm, sunny locations with well-drained soil. Regular pruning encourages fresh growth and maintains its bushy form.
19. Ornamental Millet
Add drama with the bold seed heads of ornamental millet. These striking plants not only add visual depth but also provide a delectable treat for birds.
Growing tips: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil for best performance. Water regularly during dry spells to keep it flourishing.
20. Pampas Grass
Create a statement with the towering plumes of pampas grass. Its fluffy seed heads are a favorite resting spot for birds, adding movement to your garden.
Growing tips: Enjoys full sun and well-drained soil. Prune in late winter to allow fresh, healthy growth each year.
21. Mexican Feather Grass
Introduce a touch of the wild with Mexican feather grass. Its soft, flowing tufts provide both beauty and seeds for birds.
Growing tips: Plant in full sun with well-drained soil for optimal growth. Tolerates drought, making it ideal for xeriscaping.
22. Silvergrass
Illuminate your garden with the gleaming plumes of silvergrass. Its silvery sheen catches the light, drawing in birds that feast on its seeds.
Growing tips: Prefers sunny locations and fertile, well-drained soil. Cut back in early spring to rejuvenate its appearance.
23. Broom Sedge
Bring a rustic charm with the earthy tones of broom sedge. Its seed heads offer sustenance for birds while adding texture to your landscape.
Growing tips: Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s highly tolerant of poor soils, making it a resilient addition to any garden.
24. Gama Grass
Transform your garden with the lush, verdant presence of gama grass. Its robust seed heads invite birds, enriching your garden’s ecosystem.
Growing tips: Best planted in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Tolerates periodic flooding, suitable for diverse garden settings.
25. Nassella Tenuissima
Add a whisper of elegance with the delicate strands of Nassella tenuissima. This grass creates a soft, flowing look that birds find irresistible.
Growing tips: Plant in full sun with sandy, well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant and low maintenance, it’s perfect for dry climates.
26. Love Grass
Fill your garden with affection using love grass. Its romantic tufts provide seeds that birds adore, creating a lively atmosphere.
Growing tips: Thrives in full sun with sandy, well-drained soil. Minimal care needed, making it ideal for busy or novice gardeners.
27. Cheatgrass
Capture the essence of the wild with the untamed look of cheatgrass. Its seeds are a magnet for birds, ensuring your garden stays lively.
Growing tips: Adaptable to various soil conditions but prefers full sun. Regular mowing prevents it from becoming invasive.
28. Bermudagrass
Lay down a lush carpet with bermudagrass. Its dense growth offers a playground for birds while enhancing your lawn’s appeal.
Growing tips: Requires full sun and thrives in warm climates. Regular mowing and watering ensure its lush appearance and health.
29. Tall Fescue
Transform your lawn with the hardy nature of tall fescue. Its thick blades create a vibrant habitat that birds love to explore.
Growing tips: Best in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. It’s drought-resistant and tolerates a range of conditions, perfect for diverse environments.
30. Kentucky Bluegrass
Infuse your garden with the classic charm of Kentucky bluegrass. Its lush, green blades provide both beauty and a buffet for birds.
Growing tips: Prefers cool, moist climates and well-drained soil. Regular watering and fertilization keep it looking its best throughout the seasons.
31. Ryegrass
Create a vibrant lawn with the lush growth of ryegrass. Its quick-growing nature ensures a green expanse that attracts a variety of birds.
Growing tips: Thrives in cool climates and well-drained soil. Regular mowing promotes dense growth and discourages weeds.
32. Bentgrass
Craft a manicured look with the fine texture of bentgrass. Its smooth surface offers a unique playground for birds in your yard.
Growing tips: Suited for cool climates with well-drained soil. Regular mowing and watering maintain its sleek, attractive appearance.
33. Barley Grass
Transform your garden with the rustic elegance of barley grass. Its tall spikes provide both visual interest and seeds that birds enjoy.
Growing tips: Prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Cut back after flowering to promote vigorous new growth and keep your garden neat.
34. Sorghum Grass
Invite birds with the towering stalks of sorghum grass. Its seed heads are a feast for birds, adding life to your garden.
Growing tips: Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Tolerates heat and drought, making it ideal for tough climates.