Great grasses for Minnesota gardens

Most perennial ornamental grasses grow best in full sun. To see mature plants, visit the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's ornamental grass display garden.

When buying plants, check soil requirements. Sedges and switchgrass do well in wet conditions, while blue grama and little bluestem can survive in dry, sandy soil.

"Identify your type of soil and the plants that will thrive in it for long-term sustain­ability," said Mary Hockenberry Meyer.

Native grasses are low-maintenance and adapt well to our hot summer and cold winter climate. Garden centers offer a range of plants that perform consistently well in the landscape. "Gardeners can create a native habitat for butterflies and bees in their backyard," said Meyer.

Here are some grasses you may want to try:

• Blue grama 'Blond Ambition'

• Little bluestem 'Blue Heaven' and 'Prairie Blues'

• Switchgrass 'Shenandoah' and 'Northwind'

Miscanthus and other non-natives have showier flowers and an array of foliage colors and require little maintenance.

However, miscanthus is on the Department of Agriculture's watch list for invasive plants because it self-seeds. "Don't plant it near a wetland or prairie where you might not see seedlings coming up," said Meyer.

Silver spikegrass, hakone grass, blue oatgrass and 'Karl Foerster' feather reed grass are other good picks.

• Switchgrass 'Heavy Metal'

• Fescue 'Boulder Blue'

• Carex sedges for partly shaded areas

• The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum cuts its native grasses down to about 3 inches from the ground in early April before spring growth, said Meyer.

• Grasses aren't susceptible to insect and disease damage and are generally deer-resistant.

University of Minnesota Extension, extension.umn.edu.