Deschampsia flexuosa

As rugged in constitution as it is dainty in appearance, this shade- and drought-tolerant native grass forms delightful low tuffets of flowing, fine-textured, evergreen leaves.  Airy plumes of silvery flowers are held well above the foliage in late spring, giving way to tawny seedheads in summer.  Excellent for low-foot-traffic mini-lawns in shade, or dotted around as "knitting" plants in an informal border.  Propagated from seed.  Deep 3.5-inch pots.  Zone 3.  Photo: Maria Vorontsova

Sun; light soil; 1'-3'x1'; late spring to summer