Decorative Grasses to Protect Soil From Erosion

Zone 3

• Average annual low temperatures in zone 3 reach minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Hardy in zones 3 to 9, ribbon grass (Phalaris arundinacea “Picta”) grows to 3 feet tall and spreads rapidly through rhizomes. This fine-foliaged grass has green-white, vertical stripes and prefers moist, well-draining sites in sun to partial shade. Broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus) grows to 4 feet tall and thrives in sunny, dry soils. This drought-tolerant, long-lived grass has upright foliage that turns red-purple in fall. Broomsedge is hardy in zones 3 to 9.

Zone 4

• If you garden in zone 4, lows dip to minus 30 F. Hardy to zones 4 to 10, blue lyme grass (Elymus glaucus) grows to 4 feet tall in dense mats of blue-green foliage. It produces thin inflorescences in early summer that mature to beige. Blue lyme grass grows best in sunny to lightly shaded sites and tolerates wet-to-dry soil. Sheep fescue (Festuca ovina) is hardy in zones 4 to 9 and grows to 12 inches tall. This fine, blue grass has dense, spreading roots and thrives sunny, dry sites.

Zone 5

• To thrive in zone 5 gardens, grasses must tolerate temperatures that drop to minus 20 F. Korean feather reed grass (Calamagrostis arundinacea brachyticha) is hardy in zones 5 to 9 and grows to 30 inches tall. This spreading grass has lustrous foliage that turns yellow in fall and produces purple-red inflorescences in fall that fade to silver. It prefers partial shade and moist soil. Eulalia or Amur silver grass (Miscanthus sacchariflorus) is also hardy in zones 5 to 9. This grass grows to 6 feet tall and produces white flowers from midsummer through late fall. It thrives in sun to partial shade and dry to wet sites. This grass grows rapidly and can spread up to 12 feet in a single growing season.

Zone 6

• Zone 6 lows dip to minus 10 F. Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima) is hardy in zones 6 to 9 and grows to 2 feet tall. This fine, green grass self-seeds and produces silver inflorescences in autumn that age to tan. Mexican feather grass prefers sun to light shade and well-drained sites. Hardy in zones 6 to 8, hairy melic grass (Melica ciliata) grows to 10 inches tall. It has fine, arching stems and blooms with white inflorescences. Hairy melic grass prefers sun to partial shade and moist to well-draining soil.