For xeriscaped gardens in Victoria, BC, choosing grasses that are both drought-tolerant and capable of thriving in the local climate without excessive watering is key. These grasses not only conserve water but also add beauty and structure to your garden. Here are seven of the best options:

1. Festuca glauca (Blue Fescue): This compact, ornamental grass with striking blue foliage is ideal for adding color and texture. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a perfect choice for xeriscaped gardens.
2. Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass): Known for its delicate, feathery plumes, Mexican Feather Grass creates a soft, airy texture in the landscape. It's extremely drought-tolerant and grows well in full sun.
3. Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem): Appreciated for its adaptability and changing colors, Little Bluestem offers blue-green foliage in summer that transforms to orange-red in the fall. It's native to North America and thrives in a variety of soil types.
4. Carex testacea (Orange New Zealand Sedge): Though technically a sedge, this plant offers grass-like foliage that turns a striking copper-orange in full sun. It's well-suited for adding year-round color to a drought-tolerant garden.
5. Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' (Purple Fountain Grass): With its burgundy leaves and fluffy, rose-tinted plumes, Purple Fountain Grass adds a touch of drama. It prefers warm, sunny spots and well-drained soil.
6. Muhlenbergia rigens (Deer Grass): This robust, clumping grass is native to the American southwest, featuring dense tufts of slender leaves that can add structure and texture to your garden. It's highly drought-tolerant once established.
7. Bouteloua gracilis (Blue Grama Grass): Blue Grama is a low-maintenance native grass that forms tidy clumps of fine, blue-green leaves topped with distinctive, flag-like seed heads. It's well-adapted to dry conditions and thrives in full sun.

These grasses are excellent choices for xeriscaped gardens in Victoria, BC, offering low-water needs, visual interest, and habitat benefits for local wildlife. Incorporating them into your garden design can help create a sustainable, beautiful, and water-wise landscape.