Add ornamental grasses for fall and winter interest
Kelsie O’Keefe
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grasses are adaptable, so they can grow in most soil types
low maintenance
can be used in all areas of the garden for ground cover,
dried grasses have many decorative uses
provide year round interest
drought tolerant
attract bids, providing them with both shelter and food
Grasses can be integrated into any part of your garden. Most grasses are full sun
to partial sun, and others are shade tolerant. They come in many heights, textures, and
colors. Use them for groundcover, accents, structure, height, borders, foliage, drama, and
some kind of interest all year round, but especially noticeable in the fall and winter.
Beyond pines the Midwest doesn’t have much for winter color and foliage. The
winters are long and white. Grasses are a perfect way to break up the monotony and add a
little something to your winter-white yard.
1. Acorus calamus, Sweet Flag
Though not a true grass, the term ornamental grasses generally includes close relatives.
Their basal iris-like leaves are fragrant when crushed. Varieties can range from a low
growing clump to 6 feet tall. They prefer full to partial sun, and wet soil. Zones 3-10
2. Alopecurus pratensis ‘Aureus’, Yellow Foxtail Grass
http://www.turf.uiuc.edu/teaching/NRES300/weed%20photo3/yell%20foxt
ail.gif
This grass has erect, green to grayish-blue, hairless leaves. They spread by rhyzomes, but
are slow moving. Also helpful in the Midwest, this grass is deer resistant. Its maximum
height is about 12 inches. Extremely hardy. Prefers full to partial sun. Zones 4-8
3. Andropogon gerardii, Big Bluestem
http://www.seedsavers.org/Sources/GetImage.axd?own=SS&imageid=2458
http://www.prairienursery.com/store/images/BigBluestem-sc.jpg
Big Bluestem, or Turkeyfoot (because of its flower head) is one of the hardier varieties of
Andropogon. They grow in dense stands and have hairy blades that get a red tinge as they
get age, and turn bronze in the fall. It can grow as tall as 10'. Native to the prairie, this
grass stands up to high winds very well. Zones 4-7
4. Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ , Feather Reed Grass
http://gardenchick.typepad.com/.a/6a00e553af986f8834011571a68ebc970b-320wi
This 5’ tall grass moves gracefully in the breeze and stands up well to high winds. It does
well in heavy clay soils. Its flowers are sterile, so it isn’t invasive. Karl Foerster is one of
the most popular ornamental grasses. Prefers full sun, but can take some shade. Zones 4-9
5. Carex muskingumensis, Palm Sedge
http://www.bluestem.ca/images/carex-oehme2.jpg
Carex aren’t true grasses. True grasses have hollow, cylindrical stems. ‘Sedges have
edges’ or solid, triangular stems and spiky flower heads. Palm Sedge has thin, yellow
margins on its 2'-3' long green leaves. It can handle drought, excessive moisture, sun and
shade AND it’s not invasive. Zones 2-9
6. Helictotrichon sempervirens, Blue Oat Grass
http://www.pgandd.com/blue_oat_grass_upright_op_400x600.jpg
Helictotrichon has blue foliage, as the name implies, and can grow to about 2-3' tall.
Looks great massed, but works equally well as an accent plant. It needs well-drained soil
to survive through the winter, prefers full sun, and tolerates infertile soil. Zones 4-8
7. Hystrix patula, Bottlebrush Grass
http://www.grandmorainegrowers.ca/images/Elymus%20hystrix%20(Hyst
rix%20patula).jpg
A good choice for dry shade. The seedheads on this woodland grass have bottle brush
floral spikes that persist into winter with an airy look. It can reach a height of 3'-5'. Zones
4-9
8. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Silberfeder’ , Silver Feather Maiden Grass
http://www.customgardendesigns.com/great_resources_big/gr_grasses/108
6-s_grass_silver_feather_white_aso_5-8.jpg
Maiden Grass is graceful and delicate with large, showy flower heads and sturdy foliage.
They seem to shimmer when hit by back lighting. Miscanthus like moist conditions, but
are adaptable. They grow 6-8’ tall and 4’ wide, so give them a good space to spread their
beauty. They prefer full to partial sun. Zones 4-9
9. Panicum virgatum, Switch Grass
http://dovecreekgardens.com/images%2Fproducts%2F2008%2Fpanicum
%20virgatum%20rotstrahlbusch.jpg
Switch Grass is a tough prairie native. They can get to about 4'-5' tall and grow in a
columnar fashion, rather than out, like a fountain grass. Their true brilliance is seen in the
fall when the grass turns from green to orange to red in a true show of color. Prefers
partial shade. Zones 5-9
10. Sorghastrum nutans, Indian Grass
http://www.gatewaygardens.com/_ccLib/image/plants/DETA-395.jpg
Indian Grass tends to be quite tall, 6+ feet, but sturdy, with roots that can support its
height. It has dusty bluish leaves until it turns rusty gold in the fall. It grows in most soil
conditions, is extremely drought resistant, and prefers full sun to partial shade. It is
however, an aggressive competitor so it shouldn’t be planted next to fragile flowers.
Great vertical accent. Zones 3-9