Do Ornamental Grasses Do Well in Full Sun?
Yes, in general — most popular ornamental grasses, including the great majority of Zone 5-hardy varieties, are rated for full sun and tend to perform best there, developing fuller form and more pronounced seed heads or plumes than they would in shadier conditions. A number of varieties also tolerate partial sun reasonably well, but full sun is usually listed as the preferred or primary condition on plant tags for this category. (These clump-forming ornamental grasses are a different category from lawn turfgrass — if you’re choosing a grass to mow rather than a landscape accent, see this guide to the best grass types by region instead.)
Tallest Ornamental Grasses for Zone 5
Based on commonly cited height ranges for Zone 5-hardy grasses, a few varieties stand out as the tallest options for screening or a dramatic focal point:
- Zebra grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’) — Commonly cited in the roughly 6 to 8 foot height range, with striking variegated, horizontally striped foliage and pink-red plumes in late summer or early fall. Generally rated hardy to around Zone 5-9.
- Karl Foerster feather reed grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’) — Cited with a wide potential height range, up to roughly 6 feet with its flowering stalks, and valued for an upright, sturdy form that holds up through winter. Generally rated hardy to around Zone 3-8.
- Korean feather reed grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha) — Typically cited in the 2 to 3.5 foot range, shorter than the two above but still a substantial mid-to-tall option, with soft pinkish plumes.
Exact mature height varies with soil, moisture, and climate, so treat these ranges as a general guide rather than a guarantee for every planting site.
Full-Sun Ornamental Grasses for Zone 5
Several Zone 5-hardy grasses are specifically rated for full sun as their primary or preferred light condition:
- Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) — A full-sun native grass, generally cited at around 2 to 3 feet, known for blue-green summer color shifting to orange and red in fall.
- Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) — A slow-growing, full-sun grass generally cited around 2 to 3 feet, valued for fine texture and drought tolerance once established.
- Grama grass ‘Blonde Ambition’ (Bouteloua gracilis) — Generally cited as full-sun to partial-sun, around 28 to 32 inches, with distinctive horizontal chartreuse seed heads.
- Purple love grass (Eragrostis spectabilis) — A full-sun grass generally cited around 2 to 3 feet, noted for a seasonal purple-pink haze effect.
Ornamental Grasses That Tolerate Part Sun
A number of varieties are cited as tolerating part sun (sometimes described as partial shade) in addition to full sun, giving more flexibility for a yard with mixed light:
- Feather reed grass ‘Overdam’ (Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’) — Cited as tolerating full to partial sun.
- Hameln fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’) — Generally rated for partial to full sun, with creamy foxtail-like seed heads.
- Japanese blood grass (Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’) — Cited as tolerating full sun to partial shade, grown mainly for its red-tipped foliage color.
- Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) — Cited as tolerating full sun to partial shade and generally preferring moist, well-draining soil; also a reasonable pick if the planting area borders a shadier section of yard, alongside the options in this guide to shade plants by hardiness zone.
Perennial Grasses That Come Back Every Year
All of the grasses listed in this guide are herbaceous perennials rather than annuals, meaning they’re generally expected to return from the same root system year after year once established in an appropriate zone, even though the visible foliage usually dies back and is cut down in late winter or early spring. Karl Foerster feather reed grass and little bluestem are frequently singled out as especially reliable, low-maintenance perennial performers for Zone 5 specifically.
Potential Downsides of Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses have real advantages — drought tolerance once established, low maintenance, and multi-season interest — but a few downsides are worth weighing before planting:
- Self-seeding and spread: Some varieties, including little bluestem, are noted for seeding readily, which can mean more seedlings showing up nearby than you intended.
- Slow establishment: Many ornamental grasses need regular watering through their first year while roots establish, even though they become notably drought-tolerant afterward.
- Division needed over time: Clump-forming grasses often need dividing every few years to stay healthy and avoid a dead, woody center.
- Winter appearance isn’t for everyone: Some gardeners appreciate the tan, dried look many grasses have through winter; others find it messy and prefer cutting them back earlier than the typical late-winter recommendation.
- Size can be underestimated: A grass purchased small in a container can reach several feet in both height and width within a couple of seasons, so spacing needs to account for mature size, not the size at planting.
FAQ
What is the tallest ornamental grass for Zone 5?
Zebra grass, commonly cited in the 6 to 8 foot range, and Karl Foerster feather reed grass, which can reach around 6 feet with its flowering stalks, are both frequently mentioned among the tallest Zone 5-hardy options.
What kind of grass grows very tall?
Among ornamental (non-turf) grasses, Miscanthus varieties like zebra grass and tall Calamagrostis cultivars like Karl Foerster are commonly cited as reaching the tallest mature heights in cold-hardy zones.
What tall grass comes back every year?
Most popular tall ornamental grasses, including zebra grass and Karl Foerster feather reed grass, are perennials that return from the same root system each year once established in a suitable zone.
What are the best tall ornamental grasses for my landscape?
There’s no single universal “best,” but zebra grass and Karl Foerster feather reed grass are frequently recommended for height, screening, and reliable winter structure in Zone 5-type climates.
Do ornamental grasses do well in full sun?
Yes, in general — most popular varieties are rated for full sun as their preferred condition, though several also tolerate partial sun or light shade.
What ornamental grasses tolerate part sun?
Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’, Hameln fountain grass, Japanese blood grass, and northern sea oats are commonly cited as tolerating part sun or partial shade in addition to full sun.
What are the downsides of ornamental grass?
Potential downsides include self-seeding in some varieties, the need for regular watering during establishment, periodic dividing of clump-forming types, and underestimating mature size at planting time.
What is the prettiest ornamental grass?
This is largely a matter of personal taste, but zebra grass (for its variegated striped foliage) and Japanese blood grass (for its red-tipped color) are frequently singled out for distinctive visual appeal.