Due to their hardiness, low maintenance, and distinctive appearance, ornamental grasses are a popular choice for outdoor gardens throughout Northern Colorado and the Front Range. These grasses not only add height, texture, and movement to landscapes but also withstand the region's challenging weather conditions. Their adaptability to different soil types and resistance to drought makes them ideal for Colorado's unique climate. Additionally, ornamental grasses provide year-round interest, from their lush green growth in spring and summer to their striking seed heads and colorful hues in fall and winter. Discover several ornamental grasses that thrive in a Zone 5 climate, offering beauty and resilience to your garden.
Why Plant Ornamental Grasses?
Ornamental grasses are an excellent choice for adding both functional and aesthetic value to landscapes throughout Northern Colorado. Here are just a few of the numerous benefits of planting ornamental grass for zone 5:
1. Drought Tolerance
Many ornamental grasses are highly drought-tolerant, making them perfect for Colorado's arid climate and reducing the need for frequent watering.
2. Low Maintenance
These grasses require minimal care once established, saving time and effort in garden upkeep.
3. Erosion Control
Ornamental grasses have extensive root systems that help prevent soil erosion, particularly on slopes and embankments.
4. Aesthetic Appeal
With their varied textures, colors, and heights, ornamental grasses add visual interest and year-round beauty to landscapes.
5. Wildlife Habitat
They provide habitat and food for local wildlife, including birds and beneficial insects.
6. Versatility
Suitable for a wide range of landscape uses, from borders and ground covers to focal points and privacy screens.
7. Resilience
Many ornamental grasses are hardy and can withstand Colorado's arid environment and extreme temperature fluctuations.
8. Seasonal Interest
They offer dynamic seasonal changes, with lush green growth in spring and summer, attractive seed heads in fall, and golden hues in winter.
Ornamental Grasses for Zone 5
1. Blue Fescue (Festuca 'Elijah Blue')
Blue Fescue is a compact, clump-forming ornamental grass known for its striking blue-gray foliage that forms neat, rounded mounds. This grass produces delicate, feathery flower spikes in early summer that add visual interest. Blue Fescue grass thrives in well-draining soil and full sun, though it can tolerate light shade. It is drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal watering. Regularly remove dead leaves and flowers to maintain a tidy appearance, and consider dividing the clumps every few years to promote healthy growth. This grass is perfect for borders, rock gardens, and as an accent plant in xeric landscapes.
Blue Fescue Characteristics
Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Hardiness Zone: 4
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 6-10 inches
Width: 6-8 inches
Foliage Color: Blue-green foliage with yellow feathery panicles
Attributes: Deer and rabbit resistant, easy to grow, low maintenance, winter interest
2. Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens)
Blue Oat Grass resembles a miniature water fountain, with its densely packed leaves arching gracefully. Blue-gray foliage remains attractive throughout the season, and small tan seed heads appear above the foliage in early summer. In mild climates, this grass is evergreen, while it is semi-evergreen in colder zones. Blue Oat Grass adds a wonderful coarse texture and contrasting color to landscapes throughout Colorado.
Blue Oat Grass Characteristics
Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 24-30 inches
Width: 24-30 inches
Foliage Color: Steel blue with small tan seed heads
Attributes: Easy to grow, drought tolerant once established, winter interest
3. Feather Reed Grass 'Karl Foerster' (Alamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster')
Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass is an exceptionally adaptable plant that requires minimal care. It thrives in rich, moist soil but can tolerate dry conditions as well. Like most ornamental grasses, it needs regular irrigation during its first year; however, once established, it requires little maintenance. Trimming back the foliage in early spring encourages new growth, and due to its sturdy, upright form, Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass adds visual interest throughout the winter. Prune in late winter or early spring for best results!
Karl Foerster Plant Characteristics
Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Hardiness Zone: 3 - 8
Light Requirements: Partial Sun, Full Sun
Height: 3" - 6'
Width: 18" - 3'
Foliage Color: Green foliage with feathery stalks emerging red/brown in spring and turning gold in fall
Attributes: Drought tolerant, easy care, winter interest
4. Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis 'Overdam')
Calamagrostis 'Overdam' features thin and compact bright green foliage. In summer, it produces purplish tassels that gradually transition to a silver-pink hue in the fall. This grass is highly valued for the striking vertical accent it provides to garden borders. It is one of the earliest flowering grasses, displaying a refined and well-behaved growth habit. Additionally, this type of feather reed grass maintains its attractive appearance throughout the winter, offering year-round visual interest.
Feather Reed Grass Characteristics
Plant Type: Perennial
Hardiness Zone: 3
Light Requirements: Full - Partial Sun
Height: 12-48 inches
Width: 24-36 inches
Foliage Color: Variegated green foliage featuring panicles with a pink hue
Attributes: Drought tolerant once established, easy to care for, winter interest
5. Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition')
Blonde Ambition Grama Grass is an ornamental grass known for its striking appearance and ease of care. This variety features blue-green foliage that forms a neat clump, topped with unique horizontal, chartreuse seed heads that turn blonde as they mature, creating a captivating display. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, making it perfect for xeric landscapes. Blonde Ambition is drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal maintenance, with occasional watering and a trim in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh growth. Its attractive seed heads provide visual interest year-round, making it a standout addition to any garden.
Grama Grass Plant Characteristics
Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Light Requirements: Full Sun - Partial Sun
Height: 28-32 inches
Width: 28-32 inches
Foliage Color: Green
Fall Color: Yellow
Attributes: Drought tolerant once established, easy to care for, winter interest
6. Hameln Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’)
Famous for its fountain-like appearance, Hameln Fountain Grass is a stunning addition to any landscape. This ornamental grass features foxtail-like seed heads in a creamy white color during the summer. It grows best in well-draining, fertile soil and, while it can tolerate some shade, thrives in full-sun conditions.
Hameln Fountain Grass Characteristics
Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Hardiness Zone: 5 - 9
Light Requirements: Partial Sun, Full Sun
Height: 2' - 3'
Width: 2' - 30"
Foliage Color: Green foliage with creamy-white panicles
Attributes: Winter interest
7. Japanese Blood Grass (Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron')
Japanese Blood Grass is a striking ornamental grass known for its dramatic red-tipped foliage. Starting with green leaves that gradually turn a deep red color from the tips downward, this grass adds unique beauty to any landscape. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-draining, moist soil. Japanese Blood Grass requires moderate watering, especially during dry spells, and benefits from a trim in late winter or early spring to remove old growth and encourage fresh, vibrant foliage. Its compact growth habit makes it an excellent choice for borders and accent plantings, providing a bold splash of color throughout the growing season.
Japanese Blood Grass Characteristics
Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Light Requirements: Full Sun - Partial Sun
Height: 12-24 inches
Width: 12-24 feet
Foliage Color: Green foliage that turns red at the tips as the season progresses
Attributes: Attracts butterflies, drought tolerant once established, deer resistant
8. Korean Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha)
Korean Feather Reed Grass is a versatile ornamental grass celebrated for its graceful, foliage and delicate, feathery plumes. In late summer to early fall, it produces soft, pinkish flower heads that gradually fade to a silvery hue, adding elegant movement and texture to the landscape. This grass thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-draining, moist soil but can tolerate a variety of soil conditions. It requires regular watering during its first year to establish strong roots and benefits from a trim in late winter or early spring to promote new growth. Korean Feather Reed Grass is ideal for borders, mass plantings, and adding height and visual interest to any garden setting.
Korean Feather Reed Grass Characteristics
Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Light Requirements: Full - Partial Sun
Height: 24-42 inches
Width: 12-15 inches
Foliage Color: Green
Fall Color: Yellow
Attributes: Deer resistant, drought tolerant once established, winter interest
9. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Little Bluestem is admired for its stunning green-blue hues in the summer and vibrant orange tones in the fall. This ornamental grass prefers well-draining soil. Newly planted ornamental grasses require regular watering in the first year while they establish their root systems. Following this, Little Bluestem grass is highly drought tolerant. Producing fluffy white seeds that are easily carried by the wind, it is not uncommon to find these plants sprouting wherever their seeds land.
Little Bluestem Characteristics
Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Hardiness Zone: 3 - 8
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Height: 2' - 3'
Width: 15" - 18"
Foliage Color: A mix of blues, greens, and purples in the spring, fading to reds, oranges, and yellows in the fall.
Attributes: Deer resistant, drought tolerant, winter interest
10. Muhly 'Undaunted Ruby' (Muhlenbergia reverchonii)
Muhly Grass is celebrated for its striking, dusty pink, feathery foliage that creates an almost cloudy or misty appearance. It can be planted in any well-draining soil and thrives best when planted in the spring or fall, requiring regular irrigation during its first year of growth. Once established, this hardy plant can withstand drought and various weather conditions.
Muhly Grass Characteristics
Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Hardiness Zone: 5 - 10
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Height: 15" - 18"
Width: 18" - 24"
Foliage Color: Thin grey-green leaves topped with small but abundant pink seed heads
Attributes: Drought tolerant, cut flower, winter interest
11. Northern Sea Oats Grass (Chasmanthium latifolium)
Northern Sea Oats Ornamental Grass is a distinctive ornamental grass known for its bamboo-like foliage and unique, flat seed heads that dangle like oats, creating a soothing rustling sound in the breeze. This grass thrives in partial shade to full sun and prefers moist, well-draining soil, though it can tolerate a variety of conditions once established. It requires regular watering during its first year to establish strong roots. Northern Sea Oats Grass adds striking texture and movement to the landscape, with its vibrant green leaves turning a rich bronze in the fall. Ideal for borders, woodland gardens, and naturalized areas, this grass also serves as an excellent erosion control plant on slopes and banks.
Northern Sea Oats Characteristics
Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Light Requirements: Full Sun - Partial Sun
Height: 2-4 feet
Width: 20-30 inches
Foliage Color: Green foliage featuring brown oat-like seed heads
Attributes: Easy care, winter interest, prefers moist conditions
12. Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)
Prairie Dropseed is a slow-growing ornamental grass that thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. It requires regular irrigation during its first year after planting. This encourages strong and deep root formation. Once established, this ornamental grass for zone 5 is quite drought tolerant and only requires occasional watering.
Prairie Dropseed Plant Characteristics
Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Hardiness Zone: 3 - 9
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Height: 2' - 3'
Width: 2' - 3'
Foliage Color: Green foliage with panicles in tints of tan, brown, and pink
Attributes: Attracts birds, cut flower, drought tolerant
13. Purple Love Grass (Eragrostis spectabilis)
Renowned for its seasonal vibrant purple hue, Purple Love Grass is a popular and colorful ornamental grass. It prefers well-draining, sandy soil and thrives best in full sun, though it can tolerate partial sun. As a xeric plant, Purple Love Grass requires minimal water once it is established. To encourage regrowth in the spring, it's best to cut this plant back in early spring before new growth begins to emerge.
Purple Love Grass Characteristics
Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Hardiness Zone: 5 - 9
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Height: 2' - 3'
Width: 2' - 3'
Foliage Color: Green with purple panicles
Attributes: Attracts birds, cut flower, drought tolerant
14. Zebra Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus')
Zebra Grass, recognized for its striking, decorative stripes, adds a distinctive touch to any garden. It thrives in sunny environments with moist soil but can tolerate drier conditions. To encourage regrowth in the spring, it's best to prune back the dead foliage at the end of winter/beginning of spring before new foliage begins to grow. This ornamental grass dislikes excessive shade and tends to droop without regular sun exposure.
Zebra Grass Characteristics
Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Hardiness Zone: 5 - 9
Light Requirements: Partial Sun, Full Sun
Height: 6' - 8'
Width: 4' - 6'
Foliage Color: Variegated foliage with stripes of green and creamy yellow. Feathery pink/red panicles appear in late summer or early fall.
Attributes: Winter interest
How To Plant Ornamental Grasses for Zone 5
STEP 1. Choose the Right Grass
Select ornamental grasses suited to your climate, soil type, and sunlight conditions. Consider mature size, growth habit, and maintenance requirements. To learn more about your hardiness zone, check out our blog!
STEP 2. Prepare the Planting Site
Choose a location with appropriate sunlight and soil conditions. Be careful not to make compromises, as inadequate conditions will result in unhealthy plants! Ensure the soil is well-draining, and amend it with compost or sand if necessary to improve drainage. Find more information on amending soil, different types of soil, and how to test your soil in our blog!
STEP 3. Dig the Hole
Dig a hole two to three times as wide and as deep as the root ball of the plant.
STEP 4. Prepare the Plant
Remove the grass from its container and gently loosen any tightly bound roots. If the grass is balled and burlapped, remove the burlap or cut it away.
STEP 5. Plant the Grass
If you’re using Myke Tree and Shrub Root Stimulator, apply to the root ball now. Then, set the plant into the hole so that the top of the root ball is 1-2” above the original soil level. Fill the hole with soil, tamping it down lightly to eliminate air pockets.
STEP 6. Water Thoroughly
Water the newly planted grass deeply to help settle the soil around the roots. Fill in any areas that settle, so there are no holes or pockets. Ensure the area remains consistently moist for the first few weeks to aid with establishment.
STEP 7. Apply Mulch
Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the grass to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Keep the mulch away from the base of the plant to prevent rot.
STEP 8. Monitor and Maintain
Water the grass regularly during its first growing season, especially during dry spells. Watering slowly for an extended amount of time is crucial, as opposed to a large amount of water over a short amount of time. Check for pests and diseases and address any issues promptly.
STEP 9. Adjust Care as Needed
Once established, ornamental grasses typically require less frequent watering and maintenance. Adjust care based on seasonal changes and the specific needs of the grass variety.
Have Questions About Ornamental Grasses? We're Here To Help!
Ornamental grasses are a fantastic option for any Colorado landscape, offering vibrant color, unique textures, and diverse shapes and sizes. Ideal for xeric landscapes, these perennial grasses are low-maintenance and enhance the beauty of any area. If you have any questions or need more information on choosing the right ornamental grass for zone 5 landscapes, feel free to reach out! Our on-site Garden Center and Nursery has tons of grasses available for planting. You can also check out our Tree & Shrub Planting Guide for more in-depth information on how to plant perennial grasses. You can also explore different perennial grasses in our Plant Finder. If you are looking into perennial grasses as a small part of a larger landscape renovation and want to learn more about our professional landscaping services, visit our Residential Landscaping Service page today. We look forward to helping you in any way we can!