Best Ornamental Grasses for Midwest Gardens

Little bluestem is a native prairie grass that is both lovely and tough as nails. These perennials have gray-green foliage that turns bold shades of purple, red and orange in fall. It produces tan flower spikelets that turn silvery white as they age. Its fine-textured growth means it is gorgeous when backlit by the sun. Look for cultivars like 'The Blues' for bluish summer foliage and reddish fall color.

Size: 2-3 feet tall, 1 foot wide
Conditions: full sun and most soils
Zones: 4-9
Best for: its blue coloring in summer