Ornamental Grasses for Coastal Maine Landscapes: A Complete Guide
If there's one plant group that seems custom-built for coastal Maine, it's ornamental grasses. They shrug off salt spray, thrive in sandy soil, stand up to ocean wind, and look spectacular from July through the depths of winter. It's no surprise that one of the biggest landscaping trends of 2026 is the shift toward lower-maintenance plantings that work with the local environment instead of against it — and here in Kennebunkport and along the Southern Maine coast, ornamental grasses do exactly that.At Wakem Lawn Care, we design and install landscapes throughout Kennebunkport, Kennebunk, Arundel, Wells, and the surrounding coastal communities, and ornamental grasses have become one of our most requested design elements. Here's what works locally, and how to get the most from these hardworking plants.
Why Do Ornamental Grasses Work So Well in Coastal Maine?
Ornamental grasses succeed in coastal Maine because most varieties tolerate salt spray, wind, and sandy, fast-draining soil — the exact conditions that stress traditional shrubs and perennials near the shore. Once established, they need little water or fertilizer, resist deer browsing, and provide texture and movement across all four seasons.That last point matters more here than almost anywhere else. A coastal Maine landscape has to look good in November and February, not just July. Ornamental grasses hold their form after frost, catch snow beautifully, and give winter gardens structure when everything else has died back.
They're also a practical answer to the challenges we write about constantly on this blog: salt damage, deer pressure, drought stress, and sandy soil that won't hold nutrients. A well-placed drift of grasses handles all four without complaint.
What Are the Best Ornamental Grasses for Coastal Maine?
The best ornamental grasses for coastal Maine are switchgrass, little bluestem, feather reed grass, fountain grass, and prairie dropseed. All are hardy in USDA zones 5a–6a, tolerate salt and sandy soil, and require only one cutback per year in late winter.Here's how we use each in local landscape designs:
- Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) — A tough Maine native that reaches 4–6 feet, with airy seed heads that glow in late-summer light. 'Northwind' stays strictly upright even in ocean wind; 'Shenandoah' adds deep red fall color. Excellent for screening and back-of-border structure.
- Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) — Another native, and arguably the best grass for sandy coastal soil. It grows 2–3 feet tall, turns copper-bronze in fall, and holds that color all winter. 'Standing Ovation' is a reliably upright cultivar.
- Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster') — The first grass to bloom each year, sending up wheat-colored plumes by late June. Its vertical form suits formal designs near classic Kennebunkport shingle-style homes.
- Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln') — A compact 2-footer with soft, bottlebrush plumes from August on. Ideal for edging walkways and softening hardscape.
- Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) — A fine-textured native that forms elegant, fountain-like mounds and releases a subtle fragrance in late summer. Slow to establish but essentially permanent once it settles in.
Can You Still Plant Ornamental Grasses in July?
Yes — container-grown ornamental grasses can be planted in coastal Maine through July and August as long as they receive consistent water for the first six to eight weeks. Warm-season natives like switchgrass and little bluestem actually establish faster in warm summer soil than in cold spring ground.Midsummer planting has a real advantage: you're buying grasses at their full size, so you can see exactly what you're placing in the landscape. Water deeply twice a week through establishment (more during heat waves), and skip the fertilizer — rich soil makes most grasses flop.
If you're planning a larger bed renovation or foundation planting around grasses, our landscaping team can handle design, soil preparation, and installation so everything establishes properly before fall.
How Do You Care for Ornamental Grasses Through the Year?
Ornamental grasses in Maine need one annual cutback in late winter or early spring — cut clumps to 4–6 inches before new growth emerges in April. Beyond that, care is minimal: no regular fertilizing, division every three to four years, and deep watering only during extended drought.A simple seasonal rhythm for coastal Maine properties:
- Late March–April: Cut back last year's growth before green shoots appear. This is a standard part of our spring cleanup visits.
- May–June: Divide overgrown clumps (you'll see a dead center) and replant the healthy outer sections.
- July–September: Enjoy them. Water new plantings; established grasses rarely need it.
- October–winter: Leave them standing. The foliage protects the crown from freeze-thaw cycles, feeds overwintering birds, and looks stunning against snow.
Where Should You Use Grasses in Your Landscape Design?
Ornamental grasses work best in coastal Maine landscapes as foundation anchors, driveway and walkway borders, privacy screens, slope stabilizers, and buffer plantings between the lawn and exposed, salt-prone edges of the property.A few combinations we use often in Kennebunkport-area designs:
- Grasses + hydrangeas: Little bluestem or fountain grass in front of panicle hydrangeas is a classic coastal Maine pairing — both peak in late summer.
- Grasses + rugosa roses: For properties near Goose Rocks Beach or Cape Porpoise, this duo handles direct salt exposure better than almost anything.
- Grasses as lawn transition: Replacing a struggling strip of turf along a windy, salty edge with a grass border reduces maintenance and looks intentional. Your remaining lawn gets the focused care it needs — and our lawn maintenance program keeps it thick and healthy.