Pink Muhly Grass
Muhlenbergia capillaris
In Kentucky, where the flora of the Southeast reaches in, turns cotton-candy pink as the season ends and holds that form till spring cleanup, spreading 2–3 ft.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 2–3 ft
- Blooms Sep–Oct
Kentucky · Zones 6–7
Native Ornamental Grasses in Kentucky
Native grasses and sedges that bring movement, winter structure, and bird seed — the matrix that ties a planting together. For Kentucky, the right natives are shaped by Bluegrass, Cumberland Plateau & Pennyroyal and a humid, four-season climate. Every species below, from Pink Muhly Grass and Sideoats Grama to the rest of the list, is genuinely native to Kentucky and the wider flora of the Southeast and hardy through zones 6–7. Native grasses are the connective tissue of a natural planting, weaving between the flowers, holding the soil, and standing handsome through the whole winter. Warm-season grasses want full sun and lean soil and green up late, so don't give up on them in May. Cut everything back to a hand's height in late winter, just before new growth, and that's the entire job.
The plants
8 native species for Kentucky
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 6–7 · see this collection in other states.
Sideoats Grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
In Kentucky, where the flora of the Southeast reaches in, soft motion in every breeze and seed for the birds, on a 1.5–2.5 ft-tall native grass.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 1.5–2.5 ft
- Blooms Jun–Jul
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
In Kentucky, where the flora of the Southeast reaches in, soft motion in every breeze and seed for the birds, on a 6–12 in-tall native grass.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 6–12 in
- Foliage
Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
In Kentucky, where the flora of the Southeast reaches in, a grass that earns its keep in fall and winter — bronze-purple seed heads color, 4–7 ft tall, seed for the birds.
- Full sun
- Dry to wet
- 4–7 ft
- Fall color
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
In Kentucky, where the flora of the Southeast reaches in, movement in summer, airy pink-gold panicles color in fall — a native grass that holds all winter, reaching 3–6 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry to wet
- 3–6 ft
- Fall color
Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis
In Kentucky, where the flora of the Southeast reaches in, a native grass that glows fine emerald to amber and stands through winter, 2–3 ft tall.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 2–3 ft
- Fall color
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
In Kentucky, where the flora of the Southeast reaches in, a native grass that glows blue-green to copper and stands through winter, 2–4 ft tall.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Fall color
Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
In Kentucky, where the flora of the Southeast reaches in, summer texture, bronze-gold plumes autumn color, and winter standing presence on a 4–7 ft-tall native grass.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 4–7 ft
- Fall color
Sourcing
Where to find these in Kentucky
Seeds & live plants on Amazon
Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.
Browse on AmazonSome links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.