If older ornamental grasses begin to die in the center or just aren’t growing as well as they used to, divide them in early spring. Not cutting them back in early spring can delay new growth. Grasses provide food and shelter for birds and other wildlife in the winter. Cutting them back in autumn can leave them vulnerable to frost damage. They should be cut back to 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm.) tall once a year in early spring. Ornamental grasses for cold climates require little maintenance. Hameln, Little Bunny, and Burgundy Bunny are popular in zone 4. They may need extra protection in zone 4 winters. Pennisetum – These small fountain grasses typically don’t get larger than 2 to 3 feet (61-91 cm.) tall. Little Bluestem – Little Bluestem offers blue-green foliage that turns red in fall. Grama Grass – Tolerant to poor soils and cool temps, both Side Oats Grama and Blue Grama are popular in zone 4. Shenandoah and Heavy Metal are popular varieties in zone 4. to 1.5 m.) tall and up to 3 feet (91 cm.) wide. Switchgrass – Switchgrass can get 2 to 5 feet (61 cm. Zebrinus, Morning Light, and Gracillimus are popular varieties in zone 4. Miscanthus – Also called maiden grass, Miscanthus is one of the most popular cold hardy grasses for the garden. Warm Season Ornamental Grasses for Zone 4 The variety Sapphire makes an excellent zone 4 specimen plant. Elijah Blue is popular for borders, specimen plants, and container accents in zone 4.īlue Oat grass – offering tall clumps of attractive blue foliage, you can’t go wrong with blue oat grass in the garden. Northern Lights is a popular variegated cultivar of tufted hairgrass for zone 4.īlue Fescue – Most blue fescue is dwarf and clump forming with bluish grass blades. Tufted Hairgrass – Generally, reaching 3 to 4 feet (1 m.) tall and wide, this grass likes sun to part shade locations. Karl Foerster, Overdam, Avalanche, and Eldorado are popular varieties for zone 4. Cool Season Ornamental Grasses for Zone 4įeather Reed grass – Feather Reed grass has early plumes that are 4 to 5 feet (1-1.5 m.) tall and cream-colored to purple depending on the variety. Growing both cool-season and warm-season can provide year-round interest in the landscape. Warm-season grasses can be slow growing in spring but really take off in the heat of mid to late summer and bloom in late summer and fall.Cool-season grasses sprout up quickly in spring, bloom in early summer, may go dormant in the heat of mid to late summer, and then grow again when temperatures cool in early autumn.Ornamental grasses are usually divided into two categories: cool-season grasses or warm-season grasses. Continue reading to learn more about cold hardy grasses for the garden. Many ornamental grasses that are commonly used in the landscape are hardy to zone 4 or below. Most ornamental grasses are not bothered by deer, rabbits, insect pests, or disease. They can be used as screens or specimen plants. Ornamental grasses grow quickly and require very little maintenance. They attract birds and butterflies in the summer and provide food and shelter for wildlife in the winter. Ornamental grasses add height, texture, movement, and color to any garden.
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