Many ornamental grasses look gorgeous but are either invasive or produce forests of seedlings. Here are 10 well-behaved beauties

Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra' Not for nothing is this known as the blood grass – it's the reddest of all grasses. At first, the upright leaves are pale green, with only the tips dipped in crimson. Then, as the season progresses, it's as if the blood soaks down the leaves to the base until each leaf is saturated. Glows vividly with the sun behind it. Plant in groups of three or five to make the biggest impact. Sometimes listed as 'Red Baron'. Grows to 45cm.
Grow it… In rich soil that does not dry out, and in full sun.

Deschampsia cespitosa 'Bronzeschleier' Tough but delicate looking. Its evergreen foliage makes tight, blue-tinted, dark green hummocks from which rises a see-through bronze haze of sparkling plumes. A fine partner for hellebores and hostas. Stays compact and is best left to steadily build into impressive clumps. Sometimes listed as 'Bronze Veil'. Grows to 90cm.
Grow it… In partial shade, in moisture-retentive soil.

Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' Three colourful features are provided by this superb flowering and foliage grass: the upright foliage emerges bluish green, starts to develop reddish colouring in June, then by autumn is rich in burgundy. Plus, in late summer, there are pink plumes lined with purplish beads. Good with rounded plants like hardy geraniums, or those with flat flower heads like achilleas. Grows to 1.2m.
Grow it… In well-drained soil and an open position.

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' The classic grass for a container, its waterfall of narrow yellow, green-streaked foliage, carried on fine red stems, cascades over the rim. Steadily maturing with autumn tones of pink or even burgundy. Also a splendid partner for hostas in partially shaded borders but brightest in full sun. Grows to 38cm.
Grow it… In moisture-retentive soil, in sun or partial shade.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Adagio' Miscanthus are among the most fashionable of grasses but choose carefully: some are enormous and invasive. 'Adagio' is neither. It is the most elegant of the smaller miscanthus and flowers reliably. Upright in growth, the prolific plumes open pink and mature to creamy white above silvery green leaves, turning yellow in autumn. Grows to 1.2m.
Grow it… In full sun. Tolerant of most soils.

Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Overdam' Standing to attention to make striking vertical clumps, its narrow foliage emerges pink then matures to dark green with creamy margins, remaining upright for the entire season. The slender flower heads are also tinged with pink, but mature the colour of ripe wheat and hold right through the winter. Good as a specimen, with asters and achilleas. Grows to 90cm.
Grow it… In any good soil with plenty of sunshine.

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny' Dwarf, clump-forming grass with slightly arching rabbit's-tail flowers over foliage that turns red and orange in the autumn before becoming tan for the winter. The most dwarf of my selection, ideal for the front of the border or in a mixed container. Grows to 35cm.
Grow it… In sun or partial shade in well-drained but fertile soil

Helictotrichon sempervirens A gorgeous steely blue evergreen specimen grass for sunny borders and gravel gardens, or in a container. It matures into clumps like big steely-blue fireworks. Silver-blue flowers like oats emerge in summer then turn pale biscuit brown. May self-sow, but never overenthusiastically. Grows to 1m.
Grow it… In rich but well-drained soil, in full sun.

Molinia caerulea 'Variegata' Combining colourful foliage and elegant flowers, the neat clumps of dark green leaves are striped in yellow and cream, and topped with arching purple-tinted flower heads. The whole plant turns buttery beige in autumn. Tough and adaptable, a good see-through plant for the middle of the border. Grows to 45cm.
Grow it… Almost anywhere that is not very dark, or dry.

Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' Vivid blue hair in low-growing evergreen tussocks which slowly expand over the years. In late spring, short blue-green flower plumes emerge, turning tan as they age. The more intense the light, the bluer the colouring. Lovely in gravel gardens, or even troughs or window boxes, with dwarf spring bulbs. Grows to 30cm.
Grow it… In a well-drained, sunny place. Divide and replant every three years.

All grasses are available from Hoecroft Plants, Severals Grange, Holt Road, Wood Norton, Dereham, Norfolk NR20 5BL.