Ornamental Grasses For Zone 6

If you garden in a zone 6 climate, you know the winters can be tough. Choosing plants that thrive in the cold is essential, and ornamental grasses for zone 6 are perfect for cold climates.

They bring movement, texture, and year-round beauty to your garden. Best of all, they are some of the most resilient and low-maintenance plants you can grow. This guide will help you pick the best ones and show you exactly how to care for them.

This category includes a stunning variety of grasses that not only survive but flourish through freezing temperatures and heavy snow. They offer more than just durability. Their plumes, seed heads, and changing foliage colors provide visual interest in every season, even when covered in frost.

Why Choose Ornamental Grasses for Your Zone 6 Garden?

There are so many reasons to add these plants to your landscape. First, they are incredibly adaptable. Once established, they tolerate drought, poor soil, and of course, the cold.

They also provide crucial habitat for birds and beneficial insects. The seed heads offer food in fall and winter, and the dense clumps give shelter. From a design perspective, they soften hard edges, create graceful screens, and add a whispery, dynamic element that flowers alone cannot.

Top Picks: The Best Ornamental Grasses for Cold Climates

Here are some of the most reliable and beautiful grasses for zone 6 gardens. These selections have proven their worth in cold winters.

Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’)

This is often the first grass recommended for good reason. It sends up vertical, feathery plumes in early summer that turn golden and stand strong all winter. It’s one of the first grasses to start growing in spring.

Height: 4-6 feet
Sun: Full sun
Key Feature: Upright, non-drooping habit; excellent vertical accent.

Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum)

A native North American grass with fantastic fall color. Cultivars like ‘Northwind’ (stiff, upright) and ‘Shenandoah’ (with red-tipped foliage) are outstanding. Their airy seed heads catch the light beautifully.

Height: 3-6 feet, depending on cultivar
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Key Feature: Brilliant fall foliage in yellows, oranges, and reds.

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

Another beautiful native grass. Its blue-green summer foliage turns a stunning mix of copper, orange, and mahogany in autumn. The fine texture is perfect for meadow plantings.

Height: 2-4 feet
Sun: Full sun
Key Feature: Unbeatable multi-season color and fine, delicate form.

Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)

This one is for shade. Its cascading, bamboo-like foliage brightens dark corners. Golden varieties like ‘Aureola’ glow in the landscape. It prefers consistent moisture.

Height: 1-2 feet
Sun: Part to full shade
Key Feature: Flowing, graceful habit for shaded areas.

Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)

A small, evergreen grass that forms neat, silvery-blue mounds. It’s perfect for edging, containers, or as a groundcover. It’s very drought tolerant once its established.

Height: 8-12 inches
Sun: Full sun
Key Feature: Intense blue color and compact, tidy shape.

Miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis)

Choose sterile cultivars like ‘Morning Light’ (fine variegated foliage) or ‘Strictus’ (Porcupine Grass) to avoid self-seeding. They make dramatic, tall clumps with gorgeous late-summer plumes.

Height: 4-8 feet
Sun: Full sun
Key Feature: Large, fountain-like presence and showy flowers.

How to Plant Ornamental Grasses in Zone 6

Planting correctly gives your grasses the best start. The best times to plant are spring or early fall. This allows the roots to settle in before extreme heat or the deep freeze of winter.

Choose the Right Spot: Match the grass’s sun requirements. Most need full sun (6+ hours) for best growth and form.
Prepare the Soil: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Most grasses prefer well-drained soil. If you have heavy clay, mix in some compost to improve drainage.
Plant: Place the grass in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill with the soil you removed, gently firming it around the roots.
Water Deeply: Give it a thorough soaking after planting to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
Mulch: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Keep mulch away from the crown of the plant.

Caring for Your Grasses Through the Seasons

One of the best things about ornamental grasses is there easy care. They don’t need constant attention, but a few key tasks will keep them looking there best.

Spring Care

This is the main maintenance period. In late winter or early spring, before new growth emerges, cut back the entire clump. Use hedge shears or even string trimmers for large grasses.

Cut cool-season grasses (like Blue Fescue) back by about half.
Cut warm-season grasses (like Switch Grass) back to 4-6 inches from the ground.
This clears away old, dead growth and makes way for fresh new foliage.

Summer Care

Water new plants regularly during their first growing season. Once established, most are very drought-tolerant. You generally don’t need to fertilize; too much can cause floppy growth.

Fall and Winter Care

Do not cut back in the fall! The dried foliage and seed heads provide winter interest and protect the plant’s crown from cold. Enjoy how they look with frost and snow. They also provide food and cover for wildlife during the lean months.

Design Ideas for Using Ornamental Grasses

These versatile plants can play many roles in your garden design. Here are a few ways to incorporate them.

Focal Points: Use a large Miscanthus or a cluster of Feather Reed Grass as a dramatic centerpiece.
Natural Screens: Plant a row of tall grasses to create a soft, moving privacy screen or to hide an unsightly view.
Border Backbones: Place taller grasses at the back of a flower border to provide structure and height.
Groundcover and Edging: Low grasses like Blue Fescue are perfect for lining a path or filling a sunny slope.
Container Planting: Many smaller grasses thrive in pots, adding height and texture to patio displays.
Winter Gardens: Leave them standing for sculptural beauty against the stark winter landscape.

Dividing and Propagating Your Grasses

Over time, the center of a grass clump may die out, forming a donut shape. This means it’s time to divide. Division is also the easiest way to make more plants. The best time to divide is in spring, just as new growth begins.

Cut back the old foliage.
Dig up the entire clump with a sharp shovel.
Use a sharp spade, an axe, or even two garden forks back-to-back to split the clump into smaller sections.
Replant the healthy outer sections immediately. Discard the old, dead center.
Water the new divisions well.

Common Problems and Solutions

Ornamental grasses are remarkably pest and disease-free. However, a couple of issues can occassionally arise.

Flopping Over: This is usually caused by too much shade, too much fertilizer, or not enough sun. Relocate the plant if possible, or choose a more compact variety for that spot next time.
Center Die-Out: As mentioned, this is a sign the clump needs dividing. Simply divide and replant in spring.
Rust or Fungus: Improve air circulation around the plant and avoid overhead watering. Cut back affected foliage; it will often regrow healthy.

FAQ: Ornamental Grasses in Cold Climates

What are the best low-maintenance ornamental grasses for zone 6?

Feather Reed Grass, Switch Grass, and Little Bluestem are all extremely low-maintenance once established. They require only an annual cutback and little to no supplemental water.

When should I cut back my grasses in zone 6?

The universal rule is to cut them back in late winter or very early spring, before new growth starts. This preserves their winter beauty and protects the crown.

Can ornamental grasses survive harsh winters?

Absolutely. The grasses listed here are specifically chosen for their cold hardiness. They are perennials in zone 6 and will return reliably each spring.

Do ornamental grasses need full sun?

Most of the tallest, most dramatic grasses do prefer full sun. But there are excellent options for shade, like Japanese Forest Grass and some sedges (Carex).

How do I protect newly planted grasses in winter?

For grasses planted very late in the fall, a light layer of loose mulch (like straw or leaves) over the crown after the ground freezes can provide extra protection in their first winter. Avoid heavy, wet mulch.

Are any ornamental grasses invasive in zone 6?

Some Miscanthus sinensis cultivars can self-seed aggressively. Always choose sterile cultivars like ‘Morning Light’ or ‘Gracillimus’ to avoid this problem. Check with your local extension service for any regional concerns.

Final Thoughts on a Resilient Garden

Incorporating ornamental grasses into your zone 6 landscape is a smart and beautiful choice. They provide structure, motion, and year-round appeal with minimal effort from you. By selecting the right grass for the right spot and following the simple care steps, you can enjoy these hardy plants for many years. Their resilience in the face of cold winters is a true testament to there strength and beauty, making them a foundational plant for any cold-climate garden.