Short Grasses That Root in Water

Zone 4

• In USDA zone 4, average annual lows reach minus 20 degrees. Ribbon grass (Phalaris arundinacea) is hardy in zones 4 to 9. It grows from 12 to 24 inches tall and spreads rapidly. It has variegated green foliage and thrives in wet soil and light shade. Ribbon grass can grow aggressively if left unchecked. Tautreger tufted hair grass (Deschampsia caespitosa "Tautreger") grows from 1 to 2 feet tall and tolerates wet sites. This fine grass has blue-green foliage and produces blue, green and gold flowers in summer. It is hardy in zones 4 to 8 and prefers light to partial shade.

Zone 5

• In USDA zone 5, average lows reach minus 20 degrees. Variegated manna grass (Glyceria maxima "Variegata") grows to 20 inches tall and is native to wet sites. This grass thrives in full sun and standing water and grows to 20 inches tall. It is hardy in zones 5 to 9 and has yellow- and white-striped foliage. Tufted or tussock sedge (Carex stricta) grows from 10 to 15 inches tall and thrives in standing water. Hardy in zones 5 to 9, this clumping grass has green and yellow foliage. It prefers partial shade and acidic soils.

Zone 6

• USDA zone 6's low temperatures reach minus 10 degrees. Japanese blood grass (Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii) grows from 1 to 2 feet tall and prefers wet sites. It is hardy in zones 6 to 9 and thrives in sun to partial shade. Japanese blood grass has narrow green foliage with red tips. Morrow's sedge (Carex morrowii) grows from 12 to 16 inches tall. It is hardy in zones 6 to 9 and has dark, evergreen foliage with white margins. Morrow's sedge thrives in wet sites and light shade.

Cold or Heat Tolerant

• If you live in a cool climate, choose a cold-hardy grass for your wet site. Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9. It grows from 12 to 20 inches tall and thrives in wet sites. It prefers full sun and produces coppery, spiked seedheads atop narrow, aromatic foliage. Sweetgrass spreads through creeping rhizomes. If you live in a warm climate, choose a heat-tolerant species. Fiber optic grass (Scirpus isolep) grows from 6 to 10 inches tall and is hardy in zones 10 to 11. It grows well in moist to wet soil and full sun to light shade. Fiber optic grass has threadlike, bright-green foliage and produces spiky flowers. It grows as an annual in cool climates or can be wintered indoors.