Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Where Massachusetts meets the Northeast, summer texture, blue-green to copper autumn color, and winter standing presence on a 2–4 ft-tall native grass.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Fall color
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Massachusetts · Zones 5–7
Native Ornamental Grasses in Massachusetts
Native grasses and sedges that bring movement, winter structure, and bird seed — the matrix that ties a planting together. For Massachusetts, the right natives are shaped by Northeastern Coastal Forest & Cape and a cool, humid continental climate. Every species below, from Little Bluestem and Pennsylvania Sedge to the rest of the list, is genuinely native to Massachusetts and the wider flora of the Northeast and hardy through zones 5–7. 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
6 native species for Massachusetts
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 5–7 · see this collection in other states.
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
Where Massachusetts meets the Northeast, fills the gaps between the flowers with fine 6–12 in-tall texture, for rocky and loam ground.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 6–12 in
- Foliage
Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Where Massachusetts meets the Northeast, summer texture, bronze-purple seed heads autumn color, and winter standing presence on a 4–7 ft-tall native grass.
- Full sun
- Dry to wet
- 4–7 ft
- Fall color
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Where Massachusetts meets the Northeast, warm-season grass turning airy pink-gold panicles in fall and holding its form all winter, for sand, clay, and loam ground.
- Full–part sun
- Dry to wet
- 3–6 ft
- Fall color
Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
Where Massachusetts meets the Northeast, a native grass that glows bronze-gold plumes and stands through winter, 4–7 ft tall.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 4–7 ft
- Fall color
Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis
Where Massachusetts meets the Northeast, catches the low autumn light, turning fine emerald to amber and standing 2–3 ft tall right through the snow.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 2–3 ft
- Fall color
Sourcing
Where to find these in Massachusetts
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.