Adaptable

• While some grasses require a specific soil type to thrive, others tolerate a range of conditions. The giant reed (Arundo donax) grows in light shade and a variety of soils. This drought-tolerant grass reaches heights to 20 feet and is hardy in zones 5 to 10. Giant reeds have upright stems covered with gray-green foliage. They produce red-brown inflorescences that dry to silver.
  
  Carnation grass (Carex firma) prefers light shade and tolerates a range of soils, including very dry. Hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8, this grass grows in a dense, spreading mass of thin, blue-green foliage. Carnation grass grows from 6 to 24 inches tall and can be grown as ground cover.
  
  

Light Shade

• Lightly shaded sites receive four to six hours of sunlight each day or a shifting mix of sun and shade. Maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis "Gracillimus") grows from 6 to 8 feet tall with a rounded or weeping form. Maiden grass is hardy in zones 5 to 9 and prefers light shade and well-drained soil. This grass blooms with fuzzy, coppery panicles in autumn and has narrow foliage that turns orange in fall.
  
  Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima) grows in light shade and well-drained soil. This hardy grass tolerates drought and produce silver inflorescences from summer to fall. Mexican feather grass grows to 2 feet tall and is hardy in zones 6 to 9. It grows in a fountain of very fine, green foliage.
  
  

Moist Soil

• Some drought-tolerant plants grow best with regular irrigation. Tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) grows best in moderate shade and moist soil, but tolerates drought. This clumping grass has dense, fine, evergreen foliage and produces green to yellow inflorescences in summer. Tufted hair grass is hardy in zones 4 to 9 and grows to 3 feet tall.
  
  Tuber oat grass (Arrhenatherum elatius subsp. bulbosum) grows from 8 to 12 inches tall and is hardy in zones 4 to 9. This spreading, mounded grass has attractive, green and white foliage. Tuber oatgrass thrives in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, but tolerates drought.
  
  

Partial Shade

• Partially shaded sites receive two to three hours of direct light each day or a consistent, equal mixture of sun and shade. Frosty Curls sedge (Carex albula "Frosty Curls") thrives in partial shade and dry soil. This 1-foot-tall grass has evergreen, metallic, fine foliage that grows in a dense clump. Plant Frosty Curls sedge in zones 6 to 9.
  
  Autumn moor grass (Sesleria autumnalis) prefers partial shade and well-drained soil. Hardy in zones 5 to 9, this drought-tolerant grass grows to 20 inches tall in a tufted mound. Autumn moor grass has bright green foliage and produces silver-white inflorescences from summer through fall.