The Beauty of West North Central Ornamental Grass

Ornamental grasses are becoming more and more popular in garden design. They add texture, movement, and color to any landscape, making them a favorite among gardeners. One region where ornamental grass thrives is the West North Central region of the United States. Let's take a look at some of the most beautiful ornamental grasses that can be found in this area.

1. Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)

Prairie Dropseed. A dense, clump-forming grass.

Prairie Dropseed is one of the most popular ornamental grasses in the West North Central region. It is a dense, clump-forming grass that grows up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. This grass produces delicate, airy seedheads that move gracefully in the breeze. In the fall, the foliage turns a beautiful golden color, adding warmth to the landscape.

2. Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)

Big Bluestem. A tall, majestic grass.

If you want a tall, majestic grass for your landscape, then Big Bluestem is the perfect choice. This native grass can grow up to 8 feet tall, but typically reaches between 4 and 6 feet. It has blue-green foliage that turns a stunning deep red in the fall. The seedheads of Big Bluestem are also quite impressive, standing up to 12 inches tall.

3. Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora)

Feather Reed Grass. A slender, upright grass.

Feather Reed Grass is a slender, upright grass that adds a fine-textured element to any landscape. It grows up to 5 feet tall and produces silvery-green seedheads in early summer. In the fall, the foliage turns a golden-yellow color. Feather Reed Grass is also very tolerant of a wide range of soil types and moisture levels, making it a versatile choice for any garden.

4. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

Switchgrass. A tall, clumping grass.

Switchgrass is a tall, clumping grass that can grow up to 6 feet tall. It has blue-green foliage that turns a beautiful yellow-orange color in the fall. Switchgrass also produces attractive seedheads that persist well into the winter months. This grass is very easy to grow and can adapt to a wide range of growing conditions.

5. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

Little Bluestem. A short, clumping grass.

Little Bluestem is a short, clumping grass that grows up to 3 feet tall. It has blue-green foliage that turns a striking red-orange in the fall. This grass also produces fluffy, silvery-white seedheads that can last well into the winter months. Little Bluestem is very easy to grow and is drought-tolerant once established.

6. Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens)

Blue Oat Grass. A clump-forming grass with blue-gray foliage.

Blue Oat Grass is a clump-forming grass with blue-gray foliage that makes it a standout in any landscape. It grows up to 2 feet tall and produces fluffy, oat-like seedheads in the summer. Blue Oat Grass is also very drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping.

7. Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)

Indian Grass. A tall, clump-forming grass.

Indian Grass is a tall, clump-forming grass that grows up to 6 feet tall. It has blue-green foliage that turns a beautiful golden-yellow color in the fall. This grass also produces stunning golden-brown seedheads that can reach up to 10 inches long. Indian Grass is very easy to grow and is drought-tolerant once established.

These are just a few examples of the many beautiful ornamental grasses that can be found in the West North Central region of the United States. Whether you're looking for a tall grass to add drama to your landscape or a shorter grass to fill in gaps, there is an ornamental grass out there that will meet your needs. So why not add some texture, movement, and color to your garden with these stunning grasses?

Prairie Dropseed, Big Bluestem, Feather Reed Grass, Switchgrass, Little Bluestem, Blue Oat Grass, Indian Grass