Helictotrichon sempervirens (blue oat grass) is a silvery grass growing about eighteen inches with an upright habit.  It looks its best with some afternoon shade in the North County and requires average water.

Carex glauca

Carex glauca ‘Blue Zinger’ is a lovely, low growing ground cover with slender blue green blades. It does best in full sun and is hardy to zero degrees.

Leymus condensatus ‘Canyon Prince’ is a beautiful blue-gray grass that is very drought tolerant.  It spreads slowly by rhizomes, reaching four feet tall by three feet wide.

Carex tenuiculmis

Carex tenuiculmis is a handsome, brownish red grass.  It grows two to three feet tall in full sun and needs only minimal water.  Carex testacea is another colorful grass that has very bright orange blades when planted in full sun.  It stays attractive throughout the year and likewise requires only minimal water once established.

Muhlenbergia rigens

This native California grass, commonly known as deer grass, can survive with very little water, although it looks best with at least some water.  The Getty Museum in Los Angeles has planted great stands of it.  The flower stems are very tall and it is very effective in masses.  It should be cut back every few years for best appearance.

Festuca ‘Elijah Blue’

Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ and ‘Siskyou Blue’ are both silvery grasses, growing about eighteen inches tall.  They make great accents in the garden and they are easy to grow, requiring minimal water and care.  They form charming clumps which look great in almost any landscape and are particularly handsome amongst rocks or along dry stream beds.

Miscanthus transmorrisonensis

Miscanthus transmorrisonensis is a bold, very green grass with striking flowers in late summer. The blades reach three to four feet with flowers reaching five feet. If removing all the spent flowers becomes too overwhelming to tackle, the plant can be cut back to the ground.

Sesleria autumnalis

Sesleria autumnalis is a meadow grass reaching twelve to eighteen inches with light green foliage. Flowers appear in the spring and fade gracefully throughout the summer.  It tolerates a wide range of conditions.  Sesleria caerulea is low growing to eight inches tall,  The leaves are green on the bottom, silver on top and slightly twisted so that both colors are visible. Flowers are inconspicuous.

Stipa arrundinacea

Stipa arundinacea (now known as Anemanthela lessonia) grows three by three feet in shades of olive and orange. This is a lovely grass for all seasons. A new variety, ‘Sirocco’, is smaller, about eighteen inches, with bright shades of copper and pink in cool weather. Both need full sun or they will revert to green. Both require only minimal water.

Stipa gigantea has arching blades about twenty inches high. The tall flowering wands are reminiscent of golden oats and can attain heights of eight feet.  It is very dramatic when back-lit by the sun and moving with the breeze.  This grass is quite drought tolerant.

Stipa tenuissima is another very drought tolerant grass.  This one does reseed readily, but seedlings can easily be removed if they become a problem. The fine leaves move with the slightest breeze, providing an airy look. Plants are often available in four inch containers as well as gallons.