Grass and prairie gardens are all about natural beauty and easy care. A grass garden focuses on using ornamental grasses to create texture, movement, and structure, while a prairie garden is inspired by wide, open landscapes filled with grasses and wildflowers, typically found in North America. Both gardens are low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly, and offer year-round interest with minimal effort. Whether you prefer the soft, flowing look of a grass garden or the vibrant, wild feel of a prairie garden, they’re a perfect way to add charm and beauty to any space.
UK Grass Gardens
The Piet Oudolf Borders at Hauser & Wirth, Somerset
Designed by Piet Oudolf, this garden is a masterclass in naturalistic planting. Why not try creating drifts of grasses like Miscanthus or Panicum in your own borders for a similar soft and flowing effect?
[Visit: https://www.hauserwirth.com/locations/10067-hauser-wirth-somerset/]Beth Chatto’s Gravel Garden, Essex
Designed by Beth Chatto, this stunning dry garden proves that you don’t need constant watering to have a beautiful space. If you have a sunny, dry area, consider using drought-tolerant grasses like Stipa tenuissima or Festuca glauca.
[Visit: https://www.bethchatto.co.uk/]Scampston Walled Garden, North Yorkshire
Designed by Piet Oudolf, this garden features bold swathes of grasses, showing how structured design can work with natural planting. Try mixing tall grasses with perennials like Echinacea or Rudbeckia in your own garden.
[Visit: https://www.scampston.co.uk/gardens]
International Grass Gardens
Lurie Garden, Chicago, USA
Designed by Piet Oudolf, this urban oasis blends prairie grasses and wildflowers. If you love the idea of a wildlife-friendly garden, plant a mix of native grasses and flowers to attract bees and butterflies.
[Visit: https://www.luriegarden.org/]Jardin de Berchigranges, France
Created by Monique and Thierry Dronet, this enchanting garden uses grasses to create movement and contrast. You can replicate this by planting different heights of grasses together, letting them sway beautifully in the breeze.
[Visit: https://berchigranges.com/]The High Line, New York, USA
Originally designed by James Corner Field Operations with planting design by Piet Oudolf, this world-famous garden on a former railway track is a perfect example of how grasses can transform an urban space. If you have a balcony or courtyard, why not try growing ornamental grasses in pots for a modern, urban feel?
[Visit: https://www.thehighline.org/]
Designers Who Shaped Grass Gardens
Piet Oudolf – The master of naturalistic planting, using grasses for texture and movement.
Beth Chatto – A pioneer of dry gardens, proving that grasses thrive with little water.
Tom Stuart-Smith – Blends grasses with perennials for a soft, textural contrast.
James Hitchmough – Specializes in wildflower meadows and prairie-style landscapes.
Bringing Grass Inspiration Home
Wildflower Patch – Let a corner of your garden grow naturally with grasses and native flowers.
Grasses in Pots – Try planting Stipa tenuissima or Festuca in containers for an easy-care, modern look.
Borders with Movement – Mix grasses like Miscanthus or Calamagrostis with perennials to create a dynamic, flowing border.
Low-Water Gardening – If you struggle with dry soil, plant drought-tolerant grasses to reduce watering needs.
Grass and prairie gardens aren’t just for large landscapes – they can transform any space into a natural, sustainable haven. Why not start small and bring a little of this beauty into your own garden?
