Ornamental Grasses for Minneapoils, MN

by Matthew Scheidler
(Minneapolis, MN)

This is a picture of our courtyard

Good morning,

We are attempting to add green to our courtyards at our loft complex in Minneapolis, MN. The couryards receive partial sunlight, and they are surrounded on all four sides by 4 stories. If you have any suggestions for ornamental grasses that would remain hardy in this situation, with partial sun, and minimal wind, I would appreciate your assistance.

Doug says that one of the problems in cold climates such as this is not the growing but the overwintering of even the hardiest of grass plants. The fact that they're growing in containers is going to allow that cold weather to really freeze the roots below 5F (the normal death area for many roots)

So - the easiest thing to suggest is a range of the more tender grasses - and annuals. Treat them as annuals and discard them (or leave for winter interest) but plan on replacing them every year.

This by the way will hold true for most woody plants in this kind of environment as well. Get those roots that cold - and you kill them.