Ornamental grasses are attractive landscape plants that provide diversity in Minnesota gardens. More than 80 kinds can successfully be grown in USDA Zone 4 or central Minnesota. Only a few have invasive rhizomes or self-seed; the majority form a dense clump and are not difficult to contain. Grasses range from the fairly well known dwarf blue fescue, which is only 6" tall and likes sandy well drained soil, to the 10' giant.
Miscanthus rarely flowers this far north but creates a dramatic appearance in the garden. Many local garden centers and nurseries sell grasses. Here are three to look for:
- Feather reedgrass or Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' forms a dense clump 4-5' tall. It changes from pink flowers in July to beige seedheads by September. Many people love its "wheatlike" appearance.
- An attractive grass for the shade is Deschampsia caespitosa, or tufted hairgrass. Native to polar regions of the world, tufted hairgrass loves cool, moist soils, but will tolerate damp heavy clay soils and will grow in light to medium shade. In full sun hairgrass may need additional water, especially during establishment. It grows about 3-4' in height.
- The Miscanthus are very popular grasses, known for their tall, attractive flowers. Not all cultivars or kinds are hardy in Minnesota. Zebra grass, maiden grass and many of the variegated forms have died at research trials at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Two cultivars that have been hardy are 'Silver Feather', which grows to 6-7' in height and 'Purpurescens', at 4- 5' with red-orange fall color. Both of these Miscanthus form dense clumps and are not invasive. Ornamental grasses rarely require supplemental fertilizer or water. Since they are herbaceous perennials, they die back to the ground each winter however the flowers and foliage which remain upright are attractive in the winter and provide winter interest in the garden. About the first week in April, cutback the previous years growth to within 6" of the ground.
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