There are Melicks for both sun and shade making them one of the more diverse families out there, but there aren't hundreds to get lost in!
The sun loving species are mostly compact clump formers with attractive spikes of flowers that put on a good show for months in the summer and autumn. They like a drained but not super dry soil in full sun and will self seed gently, mingling well with other similar plants. Try them with Achillea, hardy herbaceous Salvia, bearded Iris etc.
The woodland species are more varied in height, habit and habitat. Melica nutans and M. uniflora are low growing patch formers that do best in a decent soil, with Melica uniflora even taking it quite damp. Melica altissima is a much taller clump former that will self-seed a little, also tolerant of more sun.
Unfortunately in recent years the excellent Melica uniflora f. albida has been repeatedly mis-labelled are the (as far as I can tell) non-existent Melica altissima 'Alba'. If you are looking for a low growing grass with sprays of bead-like flowers take a look at Melica uniflora f. albida.
A woodland edge/clearing specialist this clump forming ornamental grass grows upright to 90cm topped with spikes of purple downward swept flowers in spring and summer.
Clumps of fine greyish foliage and arching stems topped with pretty tawny buff flowers to 30cm from early summer. Drained soil in full sun. Will self seed a little in gravel.
Pretty golden buff spikes on wiry stems from tidy clumps of neat green foliage all summer. Lovely fluffy seedheads as they go over. Drained soil in sun, even quite dry. 30cm.
Neat clumps of semi-evergreen leaves and arching stems of ivory coloured flowers and seeds from mid spring. Decent soil in shade for the best effect. Typically to 30cm.
