There are some wonderful grass-like plants, including sedges and rushes, that are native to the New York City area and that offer both landscaping and ecological function. Keep in mind that grasses may have sizable seedheads and while the plants in this selection do not aggressively spread vegetatively (except where noted), they can self-seed outside of the garden border. Here are some ideas that will grow in USDA zone 7.

For Full Sun:

• Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) - needs moist soil and sun to partial sun. Has a wispy and delicate appearance with forked seed heads, reaching up to 6 feet tall. Becomes bronze in fall. Nesting and feeding use for birds. Also benefits wildlife and caterpillars.
• Anatherum virginicus (broomsedge) - a northeastern meadow grass. Likes full sun, dry conditions. Up to 4 feet tall. Benefits wildlife as above but is particularly helpful for nesting birds.
• Elymus canadensis (Canada wild rye) - up to 5 feet tall. For a full sun space but adaptable to variable soil conditions. Appreciated by nesting birds.
• Erianthus giganteus (syn. Saccharum giganteum; giant plume grass) - up to 8 feet in our area. Likes damp soil and full sun. Provides cover for wildlife.
• Juncus effusus ssp. solutus (Eastern soft rush) - for wet soil in full sun. Up to 4 feet tall. Must be planted in sunken container to avoid spread. 
• Panicum virgatum (switch grass) - will grow in a variety of conditions but best in sun. Up to 6 feet tall. Good for nesting birds and food for wintering birds.
• Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem) - a dense and reliable performer for full sun. Grows up to 3 feet tall. Turns auburn in fall. A nesting site and food source for birds.
• Sorghastrum nutans (Indian grass) - a 5 foot tall, dense grass. Needs full sun exposure and is fine in dry to medium soil. Plume-like, golden flowerheads. A nesting site and food source for birds.
• Sporobolus heterolepsis (prairie dropseed) - best for a dry, fully sunny position. Grows only 3 feet tall in a finely textured mound. Delicate seedheads and golden color in fall. Beneficial for nesting birds.
• Tripsacum dactyloides - (Eastern gamagrass)  - up to 8 feet tall. Easy to grow in average soil with sun to partial shade conditions. Seed is a food source for birds and animals in winter.

For Partial Shade:

• Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) - needs moist soil and sun to partial sun. Has a wispy and delicate appearance, reaching up to 6 feet tall. Nesting and feeding use for birds. Also benefits wildlife and caterpillars.
• Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge) - a lovely, wispy, mounding sedge for the foreground, reaching only one foot tall. Unfussy about location or soil type but does not do well in strong, full sun. Hosts dozens of species of caterpillar.
• Deschampsia flexuosa (crinkled hairgrass) - for moist, organic, well-drained soil. Grows 3 feet tall and emerges earlier in spring than most other grasses, becoming dormant in summer heat. Clump forming with a delicate cloud of flowers. Provides food and habitat for butterflies and birds.
• Panicum virgatum (switch grass) - best in full sun but will grow in a variety of conditions. Up to 6 feet tall. Good for nesting birds and food for wintering birds.
• Tripsacum dactyloides - (Eastern gamagrass)  - up to 8 feet tall. Easy to grow in average soil with sun to partial shade conditions. Seed is a food source for birds and animals in winter.

For Shade:

• Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge) - a lovely mounding sedge for the foreground, reaching only one foot tall. Unfussy about location or soil type but does not do well in strong, full sun. Hosts dozens of species of caterpillar.
• Carex plantaginea (plain leaved sedge) - low growing up to one foot tall. For damp, shady locations. Nice to mix with woodland perennials.
• Carex platyphylla (broad leaved sedge) - like the above but for dry shady locations. Blue-green leaves. Host to numerous caterpillars.

To explore information on the native status of plants in New York State, you may enjoy the New York Flora Atlas from the New York Flora Association.

Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service