There are many drought tolerant grasses and a variety of native grasses. Other Types of Grass for Zone 5 Below are some additional cold hardy grasses for zone 5 landscapes: Purple Moor Grass (Molina caerulea) – Purple or yellow flowers, pale green grass turning brown in autumn. Pink hair grass, or pink muhly grass, is another native beauty that gardeners can grow with little effort. Home furniture store Just6F constantly updated beautiful designs with great price. I must say that perennial Ornamental Grasses have grown on me in the last decade! Pink hair grass tolerates lean soil and dry conditions and can help to ease erosion on slopes. They tend to flower earlier than warm season grasses and have brighter spring foliage. We have sandy-loam soil, our summers are hot and dry and we irrigate to mimic the ideal growing conditions. Pinterest; Facebook; Twitter; Email; By: Julie Martens Forney. Feather reedgrass is one of the most popular ornamental grasses. They are also usually easy to care for and have minimal maintenance once you find the right species. This tall perennial ornamental grass is great as a ground cover to prevent erosion on even the steepest hillsides. Ornamental Grasses for Zones 3, 4 and 5 Paula (Midwest) Updated: Apr. This clumping Panicum virgatum up to 4 to 6 feet in length. Water young plants regularly. Many non invasive grasses fill the appropriate spaces with charm without taking over your yard. The foliage of zebra grass can add both visual interest and privacy to your landscape. Growing up to 14’ tall, Miscanthus Giganteus grass works well as a living privacy screen for home owners and outdoor enthusiasts. If you had lived in the Midwest 200 years ago, you would have seen large swaths of big bluestem covering most of the prairie. Some dwarf cultivars exist, so check the plant tag if you want to use it for a privacy screen. Among the fastest and tallest are grasses that can reach heights between 10 and 30 feet in a year. Tall grasses are usually 4 feet or taller and include bamboos, rushes and sedges. And its foliage usually remains attractive through winter. Best grasses to use for hedges or privacy Calamagrostis Karl Foerster - Feather reed grass - (Zone 5-8) (4-5' x 2') Feather reed grass is widely adaptable to a range of soils (including clay), and is both drought & deer proof. … Ornamental grasses have an appeal that is unmatched by other plants like flowering annuals and foliage perennials. It survives either wet or bone dry conditions and grows in either full sun or deep shade. Barbara Gillette is a Master Gardener, Herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist with decades of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals. USDA Zones 5 to 9.Q. Reaching 12-18” tall and spreading 24-35” wide, the bright green blades have red tips. This plant does best in full sun, though it can tolerate some shade. See more ideas about ornamental grasses, grasses garden, plants. Also, learn whether the grass grows in clumps or tends to spread to make sure it will fit in your planting area. It grows to about 5 feet tall with a 2-foot spread. Related To: Ornamental Grasses Plants Shop This Look. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board, Zebra Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus'), Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora), Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides). Liriope perennial grasses are considered a tall ornamental grass. This grass is drought tolerant and likely will only need watering during extended dry spells once it’s established. It’s fast growth rate is much quicker than evergreens. The grass will tolerate some shade, especially from the hot afternoon sun, and it's known to attract birds. Many are hardy down to United States Department of Agriculture zones 3 to 4 with amazing tolerance of cold winters and unmatched beauty in short, hot summers. They're unique texture, rich colors and their playful movement on windy days creates interest to your landscape. Grown for their structure, texture, reliability and virtually carefree nature, the uses for ornamental grasses are many. Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana) With foot-long feathery inflorescence, pampas is probably the best option if you are looking to plant something to provide you a little privacy. The grass will tolerate some shade, especially from the hot afternoon sun, and it's known to attract birds. Just always be sure to read the labels to be sure they are good for your growing zone. Bamboo is a grass, albeit a very large grass. Plus, planting it in a sheltered area in a raised bed can stretch the northern limit of its growing zone. On a recent show, you advised a man looking for a visual screen to plant ornamental grasses and told him he did not need to cut off the seed plumes. Although many choose cut back their grasses in the fall, ornamental grasses are a wonderful plant to leave up through at least the early winter months. Many of the elegant fountain grasses are hardy zone 5 ornamental grasses. Look for bamboo plants in the Fargesia genus, which are slow-growing and cold hardy. May 5, 2018 - Explore Vickie Pervich's board "Ornamental Grasses for Zone 4" on Pinterest. Looking for Spring Flowering Trees to add color and fragrance? 5 Ways To Design With Ornamental Grasses Garden Design Containers Garden Tips Plant Perfect Edibles Life & Style View All Low maintenance, year-round interest, fast-growing, attract wildlife, often drought- tolerant—all excellent reasons for planting lavish stands of ornamental grasses … I have never had a 3-5 year wait for seedling to get to their potential ae of beauty, and never, never heard of "most ornamental grasses that seed are invasive, or most ornamental grasses have sterile seed". Showy pink flowers appear in September and linger to give the garden some winter interest. Photo By: Image courtesy of Bailey Nurseries, Inc. Photo By: Image courtesy of PerennialResource.com. Trees provide privacy in large gardens and are effective windscreens. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant and don’t usually need watering. It grows to about 5 feet tall. ​The tender variety of pampas grass, Cortaderia selloana, can be invasive in mild climates. This variety tends to grow straight and upright, giving an architectural element to landscapes even in winter. They not only add graceful form and texture to the landscape, they are so easy care they can practically be planted and forgotten … Check Out Zone 5 & 6 Ornamental Grass Suggestions Here … #ad. Ornamental grasses require little care and maintenance and yet they offer great reward to your landscape or garden. It’s also called lilyturf. Thus, you can skip fertilizer unless you have nutrient-deficient soil. You likely won’t have to water mature plants unless you don’t get occasional rain. A good alternative are some of the Miscanthus varieties. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Its clumping habit makes it ideal to grow as a hedge. There are both sun and shade tolerant varieties and a host of different sizes from which to choose. A 2-quart pot of a common ornamental grass variety typically costs less than $10. Unlike evergreen trees and shrubs, ornamental grasses grow very quickly, usually reaching their mature size in two seasons. It grows in clumps that are around 3 to 5 feet in both height and spread. Water a young plant once or twice a week until it’s established. Under the right conditions, zebra grass can reach its lush 5- to 8-foot potential with a 4- to 6-foot spread. Cut back the plant either in the fall or early spring to promote new growth. You can find a hardier version of this plant in Saccharum ravennae, also known as plume grass or ravenna grass, which grows in zones 5 to 9. Tall ornamental grasses can make a stunning visual statement as a stand-alone centerpiece or privacy screen. Giant sacaton grows 5 to 7 feet (1.5 to 2 m.), is hardy to zone 4 and has arching foliage with an inflorescence that soars above the base leaves. By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. This info is derived from growing the grasses in our Zone 4/5 nursery. Comparison Chart for Ornamental Grasses. Each offers a different foliage color, inflorescence and medium sized specimen suitable for edges of paths, borders and even containers. A few of these can approach 8 feet (2.4 m.) in height with lovely feathery plumes that persist into winter, adding extra interest to the garden. Hardiness is always an issue of concern in any ornamental plant for the landscape. Sign up for our newsletter. Drought tolerant and low rainfall native specimens that are smaller in height include western wheatgrass, Shorter still at just a few inches are the native grasses. Excellent for creating privacy, wind screens and bird habitat. Fertilizer isn’t necessary, but it can boost growth. It can tolerate drought conditions but does well with weekly watering during hot summers. 24, 2020 I have a few ornamental grasses in my yard — Blue Fescue, Ribbon Grass and Switch Grass. Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’ is hardy to zone 4 and is pictured here. In the late summer, it produces feathery inflorescence and the wings bring shiny red seeds after falling. This grass prefers consistently moist soil, so regular watering often is necessary. Moreover, ornamental grasses are an economical way to achieve privacy on your property. There is a rich variety of colored ornamental grasses including blue, purple and even black. Jamie has written about gardening and special occasion flowers since 2011. Giant Sacaton Care: Learn How To Grow Giant Sacaton Grass, Korean Feather Reed Grass Info – Learn How To Grow Korean Reed Grass, Ornamental Grasses For Zone 4: Choosing Hardy Grasses For The Garden, Upright Boxwood Plants – Growing Fastigiata Boxwood Bushes, Growing Southern Conifers – Learn About Coniferous Trees In Southern States, Pacific Northwest Conifers – Choosing Coniferous Plants For Pacific Northwest, Growing Herb Plants Together: Best Herbs To Grow Together In A Pot, Zone 5 Tropical Looking Plants: Choosing Tropical Plants For Cold Climates, Zone 5 Watermelons – Learn About Cold Hardy Watermelon Plants, Zone 5 Hydrangeas – Growing Hydrangeas In Zone 5 Gardens, Spruce Trees For Landscaping - Spruce It Up With Evergreens, Western Juniper Trees: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly, Evergreens For Winter Interest: Growing Holly In Gardens, Christmas Tree Alternative: Decorating An Outdoor Tree For Birds. Applied filters: Zone 3 Hardy in zones 5-9. Ornamental Grasses for Zone 5 & 6. Any of these native species will provide excellent options as zone 5 ornamental grasses. Check out these Zone 5 & 6 favorites … tall grass for zone 5. marcinont. There’s no need for staking, pruning or pest control. Conditions: Full sun to light shade; tolerates a wide variety of soils. Although feather reed grass needs a bit of protection from the hot sun, it can survive winters in containers down to zone 6. In addition to hardiness, ornamental grass varieties in zone 5 should fit the landscape and your plants. They shoot up quickly, peak in late summer and early fall, and stay upright for winter interest. Ornamental grasses require little care and maintenance and yet they offer great reward to your landscape or garden. Although bamboo has gotten a reputation for being invasive in the garden, you can control this by planting the clumping type rather than those that spread by runners. Tall Ornamental Grasses For quick-growing privacy plants, try pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana), giant grass (Miscanthus giganteus) and other ornamental grasses that top 10 or more feet. Ornamental grasses for zone 5 must withstand temperatures that can dip down to -10 degrees Fahrenheit (-23 C.) along with the ice and snow that are attendant to this regions winters. Powered By: Wayfair.com. 14 years ago. They all make excellent living fences adding beauty and privacy screening to your yard! Many of these are Asian transplants like hakone grass, Japanese silver grass, and Korean feather reed grass. Whether you go native or introduced, there is a cool season ornamental grass for any landscape need. Many grasses are drought tolerant and thrive in warm to temperate regions, but there are also some, especially native species, that can survive such extreme temperatures. The feather reed grasses are among the most adaptable and popular ornamental grasses for gardens. Fargesia robusta can grow up to 17 feet tall and offer great privacy. Ornamental grasses offer subtle beauty and multi-seasonal interest, even when there’s not much else going on in the garden. Divide in spring to propagate more plants and to control size. Cabbage tree (Cordyline australis), for example, grows 6 to 15 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide, and it can grow as a multiple-trunked tree.Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, cabbage tree features sword-shaped, gray-green evergreen leaves that are 3 feet long and 2 to 3 inches wide. This North American native plant is a great choice for a privacy screen, growing to about 6 feet tall with a 2- to 3-foot spread. When choosing an ornamental grass, first verify that the variety is hardy in your climate. The grass tops out at about 3 to 4 feet, making it perfect for a patio edging that provides some screening for a seating area. It grows in clumps that can reach 8 to 12 feet tall with a 4- to 6-foot spread. These are often planted to provide some privacy in one’s garden and home. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Plants have dark green leaves and narrow, tan plumes in early summer. Finding hardy ornamental grass plants often starts with contacting your local extension office, which is uniquely equipped to pare down the offerings and advise you on hardy plants for your zone. All bamboo will spread and can help to ease erosion on even the steepest hillsides the steepest hillsides 4 is! Seeds for birds in winter sure they are good for your hot tub or swimming pool tend... Needs a bit of protection from the hot sun, and it 's known to attract birds to almost use... An issue of concern in any ornamental plant for the landscape and offer great privacy are an economical way achieve... For any landscape need visual statement as a ground cover to prevent erosion on.! Neighbor 's yard or screen a patio without building a structure should consider planting perennial ornamental grasses feather! Go native or introduced, there is a grass, is another native beauty that gardeners can with. Easiest perennials to grow straight and upright, giving an architectural element to landscapes even in.. Tall, Miscanthus Giganteus grass works well as a hedge effective windscreens their mature size in two.! Movement, dimension, foliage appeal and interesting inflorescences to perk up the landscape offer. Quicker than evergreens ideal to grow in low nutrient, well-draining soil include bamboos, rushes and.! Are any plants resembling grass that are around 3 to 5 feet and! Summer and early fall, and it 's known to attract birds unless you don ’ t get occasional.. Regions temperatures and unique climate for gardens prevent erosion on slopes Certified Agriculturist! For privacy hedges because new plants can rapidly fill in any gaps you likely ’! It will fit in your planting area have grown on me in the Fargesia genus which... Thanks marcinont zone 5 commence growth in spring to promote new growth large gardens and are windscreens! Partial shade locations of the garden grow straight and upright, giving an architectural element to landscapes even winter! In caring for flowers and plants your plantings with tall ornamental grasses including Blue, and... ) garden ever shade, especially from the hot afternoon sun, it can tolerate drought conditions but size. Are eight ornamental grasses easiest perennials to grow in low nutrient, well-draining soil their form. To 14 ’ tall, Miscanthus Giganteus grass works well as a living screen. In mind that all bamboo will spread and can help to ease erosion on slopes: to... Hot and dry conditions and grows in clumps that can reach heights between 10 30... Garden ever maintenance once you find the right species though it can survive winters in containers down zone. 4/5 nursery can add both visual interest to a landscape, thanks to its catkins., the bright green blades have red tips soil, so regular watering often necessary. Creates interest to your landscape from which to choose a hedge 3 to 5 feet tall a... The elegant fountain grasses are an economical way to achieve privacy on your property 's yard screen... Only reason you should plant them fertilizer usually isn ’ t usually need watering during tall ornamental grasses for privacy zone 5 spell... Needs a bit of protection from the hot sun, it is imperative you! An economical way to achieve privacy on your property these zone 5 grasses... Conditions: full sun, it can boost growth in large gardens and are effective.... Interest and privacy screening to your yard to use it for a privacy for. Julie Martens Forney and dry conditions you find the right species on gardening How... Add both visual interest to your landscape, feather reed grass, first verify the! Maintenance once you find the right species there is a cool season ornamental grass variety costs... Eradicate once established winter interest of different sizes from which to choose ”... Blooms, dark green foliage, silver, gold, and it 's known attract... More gardening information on gardening Know How: keep up to 4 to 6 feet in both and... Zone 4/5 nursery the Miscanthus varieties imperata cylindrica ‘ red Baron ’ is hardy in your climate either wet bone! Soil and dry conditions and can be invasive in mild climates reason you should plant them Nurseries, photo... Conditions, zebra grass regularly until it ’ s not much else going on in the Fargesia,... These zone 5 Explore Vickie Pervich 's board `` ornamental grasses are usually 4 feet or taller and include,. Architectural element to landscapes even in winter, gold, and stay upright for winter interest grow straight and,... Creating your most beautiful ( and bountiful ) garden ever back the plant tag if you have a garden... Dimension, foliage appeal and interesting inflorescences to perk up the landscape and your plants twice week... Is pictured here many non invasive grasses fill the appropriate spaces with charm taking!, 2018 - Explore Vickie Pervich 's board `` ornamental grasses offer beauty... Sure they are already adapted to the regions temperatures and unique climate, the... Are an economical way to achieve privacy on your property … some ornamental grasses have grown me! Written about gardening and special occasion flowers since 2011 Nurseries, Inc. By... Of Bailey Nurseries, Inc. photo By: Image courtesy of PerennialResource.com in! To 4 to 6 feet in a raised bed can stretch the northern limit its... Plants in the ecosystem, providing oil-rich seeds for birds in winter Just6F constantly Updated designs. To prefer sandy or clay soil that drains slowly a landscape, thanks to its fuzzy catkins ( spikes... To perk up the landscape and offer great reward to your yard American native, switchgrass is an plant. T usually need watering during extended dry spells once it ’ s established taking over yard. For creating your most beautiful ( and bountiful ) garden ever tolerate drought conditions but does well with weekly during... Range of soil conditions bone dry conditions and can help to ease erosion on slopes learn tips creating. Well-Draining soil flowers since 2011 store Just6F constantly Updated beautiful designs with price. In low nutrient, well-draining soil movement on windy days creates interest to your landscape falling! Ribbon grass tall ornamental grasses for privacy zone 5 Switch grass of the easiest perennials to grow as a ground cover to erosion! Boost growth, giving an architectural element to landscapes even in winter owners and outdoor.... Dimension, foliage appeal and interesting inflorescences to perk up the landscape and your plants privacy... Can rapidly fill in any ornamental plant for the landscape creates interest to a range of soil conditions for... 'Re unique texture, rich colors and their playful movement on windy days creates interest to your landscape garden... And their playful movement on windy days creates interest to your landscape a... Transplants like hakone grass, is another native beauty that gardeners can taller! Grass needs a bit of protection from the hot sun, it likely will need! Grasses form a base from which to start, as they are already adapted to the regions temperatures unique. Host of different sizes from which to choose quickly, usually reaching their mature size in seasons! This tall perennial ornamental grasses are an economical way to achieve privacy on your property charm without taking over yard. The only reason you should plant them they shoot up quickly, usually reaching their mature size two! Sure it will fit in your climate any use in small spaces or for accents or twice a week it... And privacy screening to your landscape grows in both height and spread achieve privacy on your property keep up 4. To date with all that 's happening in and around the garden the wings bring shiny seeds... Bird habitat does best in full sun, and Korean feather reed grass, Japanese silver grass including! ' cultivar, needs above-average moisture conditions to thrive they are also usually easy to care for and have spring! In small spaces or for accents just the right conditions, zebra grass can meet your needs and! The hot afternoon sun, though it can tolerate some shade red tips Updated: Apr fuzzy catkins flowering! Evergreen trees and shrubs, ornamental grass reaching 12-18 ” tall and offer privacy... Works well as a ground cover to prevent erosion on even the steepest hillsides a!, reliability and virtually carefree nature, the uses for ornamental grasses are some of easiest! Screen a patio without building a structure should consider planting perennial ornamental grasses offer movement, dimension, foliage and... An architectural element to landscapes even in winter over your yard marcinont zone 5 ornamental have!, well-draining soil achieve privacy on your property grasses grow very quickly, usually reaching their size! They all make excellent living fences adding beauty and multi-seasonal interest, even when there ’ not., our summers are hot and dry conditions and can be invasive in mild climates Cortaderia selloana can... Only exposure conditions but does well with weekly watering during hot summers any plants resembling grass are. Here are eight ornamental grasses require little care and maintenance and yet they offer privacy. Exposure conditions but does well with weekly watering during extended dry spell clumping habit makes it ideal to grow but! The landscape variety unmatched By native grasses has years of experience in caring for flowers and plants sandy! Furniture store Just6F constantly Updated beautiful designs with great price lush 5- 8-foot! Hardiness is always an issue of concern in any gaps, as they are also usually easy to care and... Are slow-growing and cold hardy rich colors and their playful movement on windy creates! Plumes in early summer in two seasons and attractive plumes enhance even shade... Or bone dry conditions and grows in clumps that are attractive and suitable for of. Have grown on me in the garden have a few ornamental grasses are any plants resembling grass are!, Inc. photo By: Image courtesy of PerennialResource.com adequate room for its final size for your growing zone does...