Ornamental grasses accent a garden any time of year, but they might just be at their most imposing in the doldrums of winter. When there is little on view but the skeletons of your garden, ornamental grasses provide structure, texture and drama to the gardenscape.
Here are 10 of the best ornamental grasses and grass-like plants for winter interest. Many even do double duty by attracting birds to your winter garden, by providing shelter and food.
1. Acorus calamus, Sweet Flag
Though not a true grass, Sweet Flag is a native North American perennial, grown for its grass-like foliage. The leaves are fragrant when crushed. Varieties can range from a low growing clump to 6 feet tall. They benefit from regular watering. Zones 3-10
2. Alopecurus pratensis ‘Aureus’, Yellow Foxtail Grass
The Foxtails are cool season grasses, blooming in early summer. Although they spread by rhyzomes, they are slow to move. Maximum height is about 12 inches. Extremely hardy. Zones 4-83. Andropogon gerardii, Big Bluestem
Many grasses in the genus Andropogon are native to North America. They are warm season grasses, blooming late in the season. A. gerardii is one of the hardier varieties. It is the official prairie grass of Illinois. The flower stalks grown in 3-pronged branches, giving it its nickname of ‘Turkey Foot’. It can easily grow to 8'. Zones 4-74. Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ , Feather Reed Gra
Calamagrosits is one of the most ornamental of the grasses and ‘Karl Foerster’ was the first grass to be named ‘Perennial Plant of the Year’. Some cultivars in the genus are frost-tender. In addition to Karl Foerster, the variegated ‘Overdam’ is a good winter selection. Zones 4-95. Carex muskingumensis, Palm Sedge
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 4-9
