Sideoats Grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
In Illinois, where the flora of the Midwest reaches in, a 1.5–2.5 ft-tall native grass that knits the bed together and feeds seed-eaters.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 1.5–2.5 ft
- Blooms Jun–Jul
Illinois · Zones 5–7
Native Ornamental Grasses in Illinois
Native grasses and sedges that bring movement, winter structure, and bird seed — the matrix that ties a planting together. For Illinois, the right natives are shaped by Central Tallgrass Prairie and a humid continental climate. Every species below, from Sideoats Grama and Blue Grama to the rest of the list, is genuinely native to Illinois and the wider flora of the Midwest and hardy through zones 5–7. 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
8 native species for Illinois
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 5–7 · see this collection in other states.
Blue Grama
Bouteloua gracilis
In Illinois, where the flora of the Midwest reaches in, a native grass at 8–20 in tall — movement, structure, and seed for birds.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 8–20 in
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
In Illinois, where the flora of the Midwest reaches in, a 6–12 in-tall native grass that knits the bed together and feeds seed-eaters.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 6–12 in
- Foliage
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
In Illinois, where the flora of the Midwest reaches in, summer texture, blue-green to copper autumn color, and winter standing presence on a 2–4 ft-tall native grass.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Fall color
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
In Illinois, where the flora of the Midwest reaches in, 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
In Illinois, where the flora of the Midwest 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
Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis
In Illinois, where the flora of the Midwest reaches in, 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
Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
In Illinois, where the flora of the Midwest reaches in, a grass that earns its keep in fall and winter — bronze-purple seed heads color, 4–7 ft tall, seed for the birds.
- Full sun
- Dry to wet
- 4–7 ft
- Fall color
Sourcing
Where to find these in Illinois
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.