Best Grasses and Foliage Plants for Gardeners in New England

Regional Gardening, Best Ornamental Grasses, New England Gardening

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Gardeners should not overlook ornamental grasses and foliage plants as they beautifully complement or contrast with perennial flowers, keep the interest flowing over a much longer period and add depth to your garden design. They are also quite versatile (edges, hedges, or screens), adaptable to diverse growing conditions, available in a fast-growing palette, and last but not least: they generally require little maintenance (no regular deadheading, staking, tidying, etc.).

Selecting the right ornamental grass might be daunting for New England gardeners. Suppose you are looking for beautiful, low-maintenance, and hardy plants that thrive in the New England region. In that case, you may want to consider these top-performing plants, which will create stunning effects, provide a fabulous backdrop for your flowering plants and bring movement and sound to your garden.

Guide Information

Hardiness	3 - 7
Heat Zones	1 - 3
Plant Type	Ornamental Grasses, Perennials
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Low, Average
Soil Type	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts	Birds, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas	Patio And Containers, Hedges And Screens, Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Ponds And Streams, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles	City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

Best Ornamental Grasses & Foliage Plants for New England

Artemisia lactiflora (White Mugwort)

With its deep green foliage and elegant vertical lines, Artemisia lactiflora (White Mugwort) resembles the delicate Astilbe. It features attractive plumes of creamy-white flowers on slightly arching, self-supporting stems from late summer to fall. The toothed, deep-green leaves with silver undersides add to its appeal. This airy-textured plant is an excellent choice for lightening the effect of brightly colored flowers in the landscape.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Late), Fall
Height	3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Artemisia ludoviciana (White Sage)

White Sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) is a fast-spreading perennial celebrated for its silver-white foliage, providing striking garden contrast. Its bushy clump releases a pleasant aroma upon touch. This plant excels in resilience, enduring drought, deer, and rabbits, making it a versatile companion in diverse plantings.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Bouteloua gracilis (Blue Grama)

Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis) is a compact and low-growing ornamental grass admired for its intriguing inflorescences resembling tiny brushes. The flowers, suspended horizontally from one side of the stems, transition from a red tint to a straw color. Rising above a mound of narrow, blue-gray leaves, this grass adds beauty to sunny paths or decorative containers.

Hardiness	3 - 10
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (Feather Reed Grass)

Renowned as one of the most beloved ornamental grasses globally, Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (Feather Reed Grass) is a striking and graceful addition to any garden. Its tall, feathery plumes sway delicately in the breeze, offering year-round interest. With its fast growth, low maintenance needs, and versatile nature, ‘Karl Foerster’ is a fantastic choice for creating stunning vertical lines in the landscape.

Hardiness	4 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Carex grayi (Mace Sedge)

Mace Sedge (Carex grayi) is a visually striking ornamental grass with distinctive mace-like flower spikes that remain attractive from early summer to winter. Native to North America, it features pleated, semi-evergreen foliage and is drought-tolerant once established. This low-maintenance grass provides year-round interest and serves as a food source for birds.

Hardiness	4 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern Sea Oats)

Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern Sea Oats) is a shade-tolerant grass known for its drooping seed heads and resilient growth habit. With its arching stems and fluttering seed heads in late summer, it adds movement and visual interest to the landscape. Its fall color includes purplish bronze seed heads and coppery leaves after frost, making it an excellent choice for dried flower arrangements.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Late), Fall, Winter
Height	2' - 5' (60cm - 150cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Deschampsia cespitosa (Tufted Hair Grass)

Deschampsia cespitosa (Tufted Hair Grass) is a versatile ornamental grass that thrives in partially shaded areas. Its dense tussock of dark green leaves adds texture to the landscape. In early summer, graceful feathery panicles of purplish-green to tawny flowers sway on arching stems, creating a beautiful display that lasts well into winter. This grass is particularly stunning when backlit by the sun.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ (Blue Fescue)

With its vivid silver-blue foliage, Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ is a standout among Blue Fescue varieties. This dwarf ornamental grass forms a compact mound of finely-textured needles, topped with upright flower plumes in summer. Perfect for mass plantings, it adds a striking color accent to the landscape and is low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and resistant to deer.

Hardiness	4 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm)
Spread	8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm)

Helictotrichon sempervirens (Blue Oat Grass)

Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) is a well-behaved and charming ornamental grass, forming round clumps of gracefully arching, narrow steel blue leaves. Resembling Blue Fescue but larger, it is highly prized for its ornamental qualities. Delicate straw-colored spikelets appear in early-mid summer on slender, arching stems above the foliage. Growing in a dense fountain-like clump, this Mediterranean native is salt and drought tolerant, as well as resistant to deer and rabbits.

Hardiness	4 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	2' - 5' (60cm - 150cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Panicum virgatum ‘Cloud Nine’ (Switch Grass)

One of the tallest switch grasses, Panicum virgatum ‘Cloud Nine’ forms an erect-stemmed and narrow clump of glaucous blue foliage in spring, which gets topped in mid to late summer with a profusion of finely-textured, airy golden flower panicles which hover over the foliage like an airy cloud. They persist well into fall before eventually turning beige, while the foliage turns a lovely dark golden shade in fall.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	5' - 7' (150cm - 210cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ (Purple Fountain Grass)

With its low maintenance and stunning features, Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ is a beloved choice for gardeners. The rich burgundy foliage and long, arching crimson plumes create a striking contrast with surrounding plants. Growing in rounded mounds, it is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.

Hardiness	9 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm)
Spread	2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm)

Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed)

Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) is a favored ornamental grass among landscapers. With its fine-textured growth and arching leaves, it forms attractive tufts. The foliage transitions from green to golden with orange hues in fall and light bronze in winter. Delicate flower heads emit a coriander fragrance and the small seeds drop to the ground, giving it the name ‘Dropseed’.

Hardiness	3 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ears)

Stachys byzantina, commonly known as Lamb’s Ear, is a low-growing perennial with distinctive silver-gray, velvety foliage. It reaches 6-8 inches in height (15-20 cm), producing small, pink to purple flowers in early summer. Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, it’s perfect for ground cover and borders.

Hardiness	4 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	6" - 2' (15cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm)

Hakonechloa macra (Hakone Grass)

Hakonechloa macra, commonly known as Hakone grass or Japanese forest grass, is a graceful and ornamental grass that forms cascading mounds of slender, arching leaves. Its foliage ranges in color from bright green to golden yellow, adding a beautiful texture and color to shady areas.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Hakonechloa macra (Hakone Grass) Read More

Hosta (Plantain Lily)

Hosta, beloved for its lush foliage, is a versatile and low-maintenance perennial. With a wide range of leaf colors, shapes, and sizes, Hosta adds texture and elegance to shady areas of the garden. From small, compact varieties to large, dramatic specimens, Hosta plants bring beauty and tranquility to any landscape.

Hardiness	3 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	6" - 3' (15cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 4' (30cm - 120cm)

Hosta (Plantain Lily) Read More

Discover These Helpful Guides for Further Reading

Best Perennials for Gardeners in New England

Best Perennials for Late Summer and Fall in New England

Great Clematis for New England

Great Shrubs for Shady Gardens in New England

Great Shrubs with Berries for Winter Interest for New England

Great Shrubs with Brilliant Fall Color for New England Gardens

Garden Examples

A Terrific Duo to Try: Achillea and Festuca

A Glowing Fall Border with Asters, Dogwood and Grasses

A Cheerful Border Idea with Monarda, Achillea and Digitalis

A Late Season Border Idea with Hibiscus and Grasses

A Hot Border Idea with Achillea, Hemerocallis and Grasses

Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas

New England

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Botanik Foto

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.