Ornamental grasses, coneflower and sedum seed heads, evergreen hellebores, bergenia and coral bells keep a Maine garden worth looking at from November to April.
- Feather Reed Grass — Upright tan plumes that stand through snow.
- Maiden Grass — Silvery plumes that catch low winter light.
- Switchgrass — Airy seed heads and copper stems.
- Little Bluestem — Orange-red stems all winter.
- Coneflower — Seed heads that feed goldfinches.
- Stonecrop — Rusty flower heads that hold their shape.
- Hellebore — Evergreen leaves and the first flowers of spring.
- Bergenia — Glossy leaves that turn red-purple in cold.
- Coral Bells — Colorful leaves that last into winter.
- Christmas Fern — Evergreen fronds for shade.
Annual Purple Fountain Grass 'Atropurpurea (annual)'
Pennisetum 'Atropurpurea (annual)'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Salt tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
- Winter interest
Annual Purple Fountain Grass 'Fireworks (annual)'
Pennisetum 'Fireworks (annual)'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Salt tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
- Winter interest
Autumn Fern 'Brilliance'
Dryopteris 'Brilliance'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Rabbit resistant
- Low maintenance
- Winter interest
Baltic Ivy; English Ivy 'Baltic'
Hedra 'Baltic'
from $27.99 · 1/2 Flat
- Colorful foliage
- Winter interest
- Spreads quickly
Baltic Ivy; English Ivy 'Thorndale'
Hedra 'Thorndale'
from $27.99 · 1/2 Flat
- Colorful foliage
- Winter interest
- Spreads quickly
Big Bluestem 'Blackhawk'
Andropogon 'Blackhawk'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
Black-Eyed Susan 'American Gold Rush'
Rudbeckia 'American Gold Rush'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Long blooming
Black-Eyed Susan 'Autumn Colors'
Rudbeckia 'Autumn Colors'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Long blooming
Black-Eyed Susan 'City Gardens'
Rudbeckia 'City Gardens'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Long blooming
Black-Eyed Susan 'Denver Daisy'
Rudbeckia 'Denver Daisy'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Long blooming
Black-Eyed Susan 'Early Bird Gold'
Rudbeckia 'Early Bird Gold'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Long blooming
Black-Eyed Susan 'Glitter like Gold'
Rudbeckia 'Glitter like Gold'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Long blooming
Tips
- Leave grasses and seed heads standing until spring; cut back in late March or April.
- Place winter-interest plants where you see them from a window or the driveway.
- Standing stems trap snow, which insulates crowns, and shelter overwintering bees.
- Pair evergreens with grasses so there’s both color and movement.
Frequently asked questions
Should I cut back perennials in fall?
Not the ones on this list. Leave them for winter structure and birds, and cut back in early spring.
Which grasses stand up best to snow?
Feather reed grass and switchgrass stay upright through most Maine winters; maiden grass can flop under heavy wet snow.
What stays green in winter in Maine?
Hellebores, bergenia, Christmas fern, creeping thyme and some coral bells keep their leaves.
Do birds use seed heads in winter?
Yes — goldfinches, juncos and chickadees feed on coneflower, black-eyed Susan and grass seed.