Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis
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
- Home
- By state
- New Hampshire
- Grasses
New Hampshire · Zones 3–6
Native Ornamental Grasses in New Hampshire
Native grasses and sedges that bring movement, winter structure, and bird seed — the matrix that ties a planting together. Every species here is genuinely native to New Hampshire and the wider flora of the Northeast and hardy through zones 3–6 — proven performers for New Hampshire's cool, humid continental climate across White Mountains & northern hardwoods, not a generic list. Local standouts include Prairie Dropseed and Switchgrass. 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 New Hampshire
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 3–6 · see this collection in other states.
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Summer texture, airy pink-gold panicles autumn color, and winter standing presence on a 3–6 ft-tall native grass.
- Full–part sun
- Dry to wet
- 3–6 ft
- Fall color
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
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
Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
Turns bronze-gold plumes as the season ends and holds that form till spring cleanup, 4–7 ft tall.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 4–7 ft
- Fall color
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
A 6–12 in-tall native grass that knits the bed together and feeds seed-eaters.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 6–12 in
- Foliage
Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Warm-season grass turning bronze-purple seed heads in fall and holding its form all winter, for sand, clay, and loam ground.
- Full sun
- Dry to wet
- 4–7 ft
- Fall color
Sourcing
Where to find these in New Hampshire
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.