Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
Across Connecticut and the Northeast, 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
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Connecticut · Zones 5–7
Native Ornamental Grasses in Connecticut
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 Connecticut and the wider flora of the Northeast and hardy through zones 5–7 — proven performers for Connecticut's cool, humid continental climate across Northeastern Coastal Forest, not a generic list. Local standouts include Pennsylvania Sedge and Little Bluestem. 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 Connecticut
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 5–7 · see this collection in other states.
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Across Connecticut and the Northeast, movement in summer, blue-green to copper color in fall — a native grass that holds all winter, reaching 2–4 ft.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Fall color
Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Across Connecticut and 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
Across Connecticut and the Northeast, a grass for structure and bird seed, turning airy pink-gold panicles and standing 3–6 ft tall through the cold.
- Full–part sun
- Dry to wet
- 3–6 ft
- Fall color
Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
Across Connecticut and the Northeast, movement in summer, bronze-gold plumes color in fall — a native grass that holds all winter, happy in sand, clay, and loam soil.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 4–7 ft
- Fall color
Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis
Across Connecticut and the Northeast, 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
Sourcing
Where to find these in Connecticut
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.