• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide

Shade Tolerant Grass-like Plants

Looking for grass-like plants that tolerate the shade?  Many of our native and ornamental sedges thrive in shady conditions.

Pennsylvania sedge is the grass-like plant you see growing in the forest. It tolerates full to partial shade and dry soils. Or consider one of several cultivars of Silver Japanese grass. Most grow one to one and a half feet tall and tolerate full to part shade and moist soils.  Palm sedge and the dwarf cultivar Little Midge (Carex muskingumensis ‘Little Midge’) will tolerate moist to wet soils, partial shade or full sun and are hardy in zones 4 to 9.

Sweet flag (Acorus) is another option.  The long narrow leaves give the look and feel of a grass and these plants tolerate wet soil and part shade.  Variegated varieties with creamy stripes running the length of the leaves help brighten the shade in zones 3 to 9.

A bit more information:  Pennsylvania sedge is starting to appear in scattered home lawns and public areas.  You’ll enjoy its evergreen foliage during mild winters or the quick greening of dormant plants in spring.  Purchase plugs and plant in spring or fall for best results.

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


Feb. 14-16, 2025
NARI Milwaukee Spring Home Improvement Show
West Allis, WI

Feb. 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants

Register here

Feb. 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Create a Beautiful Shade Garden

Register here

Feb. 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
How to Select Rain Garden Plants

Register here

March 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Grow Pollinator-friendly Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs

Register here

March 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Register here


March 22, 23, 29, 30, 2025
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI

March 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Succession Planting & Crop Rotation

Register here

March 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Rain Garden Q & A

Register here

April 2, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Container Gardens for Sun & Shade
Register here


April 10, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Reinvigorate Your Rain Garden
Register here


May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here


May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property

Register here

June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds

Register here

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win 3 Collections of Longfield Gardens
Dahlia Bulbs

ENTER NOW