Grasses, Strappy & Tufting

WHAT ARE GRASSES, STRAPPY & TUFTING PLANTS? Grasses and tufting plants are typically clump-forming perennials that grow in a variety of shapes and sizes, often with fine or arching foliage. Strappy plants, on the other hand, are known for their elongated, strap-like leaves and upright growth habit. Together, they play a vital role in adding contrast, movement, and softness to the landscape.

Grasses: Can be ornamental or native species with fine to bold textures, offering seasonal interest with foliage, plumes, or seed heads.

Strappy Plants: These include species such as Dianella, Lomandra, and Phormium, prized for their strong vertical lines and architectural form.

Tufting Plants: Low to mid-growing clump-formers such as Miscanthus and Pennisetum species that create soft mounds or ‘tufts’ of foliage, ideal for borders, mass planting, or groundcover.

WHO CHOOSE GRASSES & STRAPPY PLANTS FOR YOUR NEXT LANDSCAPE DESIGN?

Grasses, strappy, and tufting plants are popular in landscape projects for their ease of care, striking appearance, and natural adaptability to Australia's diverse climates. At Plantmark, we offer a wide range of these plants to help you achieve layered, low-maintenance, and impactful designs.

Texture & Movement: Ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus varieties sway beautifully in the wind, adding a sense of movement and rhythm to gardens. Their soft, flowing forms contrast perfectly with structural plants in mixed borders, creating contrast and interest. Many of our native grasses such as Poa labillardieri are fabulous for planting next to pathways and hardscapes, adding texture and softening the edges. 

Architectural Impact: Strappy-leafed varieties such as Phormium or Liriope introduce bold, vertical elements that add structure and form. These plants are often used to create repetition and rhythm in modern or formal designs. 

Drought & Heat Tolerance: Many of our grasses and strappy plants are exceptionally hardy, thriving in dry or exposed sites once established. Varieties like Lomandra longifolia, Dianella Cassa Blue, and Poa labillardieri are well suited to low-water use gardens and public landscapes.

Year-Round Appeal: While some varieties display striking seasonal changes in colour or flowering plumes, many remain evergreen or semi-evergreen—providing structure and beauty all year long.

Habitat Value: Native grasses such as Lomandra longifolia and tufting species such as Pennisetum varieties offer valuable shelter and food for birds and insects, contributing to a more sustainable and biodiverse garden.

Colour Contrast:
Many strappy plants bring bold foliage tones into the landscape, helping to break up green-heavy palettes. Phormium varieties, in particular, offer striking colour contrasts with shades of deep burgundy, bronze, or variegated green and cream—perfect for adding drama and focal interest to planting schemes.

For a more subtle effect, some native grasses offer a gentle colour contrast. Lomandra varieties such as Lomandra Seascape and Poa varieties like Poa Eskdale feature blue-green foliage and are excellent choices for softening planting designs while still adding visual depth.

TYPES OF GRASSES & STRAPPY PLANTS FOR EVERY LANDSCAPE

At Plantmark, our wide selection includes both native and exotic options, suited to formal gardens, naturalistic landscapes, and commercial projects alike.

Native Grasses: Hardy and low-maintenance, native grasses like Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass), Lomandra Tanika and Poa labillardierei are excellent for mass plantings, revegetation projects, or adding a natural feel to gardens. Their adaptability to local conditions makes them a smart and sustainable choice.

Strappy Plants: Lomandra, Dianella, and Liriope varieties are go-to choices for roadside plantings, borders, and mass plantings. They thrive in sun or shade and offer clean lines and year-round form. Their compact root systems also help prevent erosion on slopes or embankments.

Tufting Perennials: Species such as Liriope muscari, and Festuca glauca form soft, grassy clumps that are perfect for edging or underplanting. Their mounding habit adds contrast and softness to garden beds or planter boxes.

Flowering Grasses: Some grass and strappy-leaf varieties also produce eye-catching blooms. Think of the airy seed heads of Miscanthus, the tall, delicate flowers of Tulbaghia violacea, the striking purple flower spikes of Liriope muscari or the violet flower spikes of Agapanthus varieties.

HOW TO USE GRASSES & STRAPPY PLANTS IN LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Grasses and strappy plants are incredibly adaptable and can be used in a variety of ways:

Mass Planting: For dramatic effect and low-maintenance areas, use swathes of Lomandra, Poa or Dianella. This approach creates repetition and harmony in large spaces.

Feature Plants: Larger, bolder varieties like Phormium tenax or Miscanthus sinensis can be used as striking focal points in contemporary garden beds. 

Pathway Edging: More compact forms like Liriope or Dianella are ideal for softening the edges of pathways or driveways.

Understory Planting: Use strappy or tufting plants beneath trees and shrubs to fill in space and suppress weeds while adding texture.

Erosion Control: Many grasses and strappy plants such as Lomandra, Dianella and Pennisetum varieties have strong root systems that help stabilise soil, making them ideal for banks and slopes.

EXPLORE PLANTMARK’S RANGE OF GRASSES & STRAPPY PLANTS

Whether you're designing a formal courtyard, a native garden, or a large-scale landscape project, Plantmark offers the ideal grasses, tufting and strappy plants to bring your design to life. Our range includes both hardy Australian natives and bold, exotic statement-makers.

Visit our Trade Markets across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast to explore our full range in person. Or, contact our Quotes & Orders team to help source exactly what your next project needs.