Shadow Grasses

Zone 4

• The average annual lows in USDA zone 4 reach minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Prairie cord grass (Spartina pectinata) is hardy in zones 4 to 9 and grows well in lightly shaded sites. This lustrous green grass has arching or upright foliage and spreads very quickly. It tolerates a range of soils and grows from 4 to 6 feet tall. Zebra grass (Miscanthus sinensis "Zebrinus") is named for its wide, yellow-and-green-striped foliage. This grass is hardy in zones 4 to 9 and grows from 5 to 8 feet tall. It thrives in partial shade and moist soil to standing water.

Zone 5

• In USDA zone 5, average annual lows reach minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Purple moor grass (Molina caerulea) thrives in partial shade and moist, cool soils. It grows from 2 to 4 feet tall and is hardy in zones 5 to 9. This upright grass grows in clumps of green foliage that turns yellow in autumn. Purple moor grass blooms with purple floral panicles in midsummer. Sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum) is hardy in zones 5 to 9. It grows to 24 inches tall and thrives in light shade and average soil. Sweet vernal grass has aromatic, fine, evergreen foliage and produces narrow seed heads in spring.

Zone 6

• Average annual lows in USDA zone 6 reach minus 10 degrees. Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima) is hardy in zones 6 to 9. It grows well in light shade and well-drained soil. This drought-tolerant grass grows to 2 feet tall in upright clumps of fine, green foliage and silver inflorescences. Hairy melic grass (Melica ciliate) tolerates partial shade and grows to 10 inches tall. This upright to arching grass produces long-lasting white plumes and self-seeds. It is hardy in zones 6 to 8 and tolerates moist to dry soil.

Annuals or Warm-Climate Grasses

• Some shade-tolerant grasses either grow as annuals or require overwintering. These include lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus). Hardy in USDA zones 8b to 10, lemon grass grows from 2 to 4 feet tall and thrives in light shade. It requires consistently moist, well-drained soil and can be overwintered in containers. Lemon grass has citrus-scented foliage that is used in cooking. Job's tears (Coix lacryma-jobi) is hardy to zone 9 but is generally grown as an annual. This grass thrives in partial shade and moist to wet soil. It has thick, upright foliage and produces gray-to-black seeds. Job's tears grows from 3 to 4 feet tall.