Pink Muhly Grass
Muhlenbergia capillaris
In Georgia, where the flora of the Southeast reaches in, summer texture, cotton-candy pink autumn color, and winter standing presence on a 2–3 ft-tall native grass.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 2–3 ft
- Blooms Sep–Oct
Georgia · Zones 6–9
Native Ornamental Grasses in Georgia
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 Georgia and the wider flora of the Southeast and hardy through zones 6–9 — proven performers for Georgia's humid subtropical climate across Piedmont, Blue Ridge & Coastal Plain, not a generic list. Local standouts include Pink Muhly Grass and Big 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 Georgia
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 6–9 · see this collection in other states.
Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
In Georgia, where the flora of the Southeast reaches in, 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
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
In Georgia, where the flora of the Southeast reaches in, warm-season grass turning blue-green to copper in fall and holding its form all winter, 2–4 ft tall.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Fall color
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
In Georgia, where the flora of the Southeast reaches in, the matrix grass a planting is woven through, 6–12 in tall, happy in rocky and loam soil.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 6–12 in
- Foliage
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
In Georgia, where the flora of the Southeast reaches in, warm-season grass turning airy pink-gold panicles in fall and holding its form all winter, 2–3 ft wide.
- Full–part sun
- Dry to wet
- 3–6 ft
- Fall color
Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
In Georgia, where the flora of the Southeast reaches in, catches the low autumn light, turning bronze-gold plumes and standing 4–7 ft tall right through the snow.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 4–7 ft
- Fall color
Sourcing
Where to find these in Georgia
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.