Wisconsin Ornamental Grass

Tufted Hair Grass

• A native to North America and Europe, tufted hair grass thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9, making it well-suited to all but the coldest parts of Wisconsin. It is a clump-forming perennial grass that grows to a height of 2 or 3 feet and flowers in summer and fall with a combination of green, gold, silver and purple. Tufted hair grass grows best in partial shade with rich, moist and well-drained soil.

Wild Oat

• Wild oat is from the Eastern United States, but can grow throughout Wisconsin, in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8. This is a perennial grass with large, drooping seedheads; it flowers in summer and fall and can grow 2 to 5 feet high. The grass itself is green, and the seedheads generally have a reddish color. Wild oat grows best in average soil, and can tolerate full sun or partial shade. Choose a site that is moist but well-drained.

Blue Fescue

• A relative of common turfgrass varieties like tall fescue and fine fescue, blue fescue is a European ornamental grass that has been widely transplanted to the United States. It is best adapted to USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8. Perennial and semi-evergreen, blue fescue grows to only about 1 foot in height, and is green with a hint of purple. It blooms in spring and summer. Average, moderately dry soil is best. Blue fescue thrives with ample sunlight, but generally does not fare well in excessively hot, humid conditions.

Switch-Grass

• Switch-grass is a native grass that grows wild in areas of North and Central America. It grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9, making it best-suited to the warm, southeastern part of Wisconsin. A perennial grass that grows 3 to 6 feet high, switch-grass has a light green color and displays pink seedheads in summer and fall. Plant it in moist, well-drained soil with average nutrient content. It can tolerate full sun or partial shade, and is an option for planting around ponds and streams.