Best Grasses & Bamboo for Zone 2
7 varieties that thrive in USDA Hardiness Zone 2. Compare planting dates, growing difficulty, and find the best picks for your garden.
Varieties
7
for Zone 2
Beginner
1
easy to grow
Heirloom
7
heritage varieties
Container
0
pot-friendly
Zone 2 Coverage
Planting Timeline â All Varieties
Variety Comparison
| Variety â | Days | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Black Tip Wheat | 75-80 | Moderate |
| Frosted Explosion | 84-112 | Moderate |
| Greater Quaking Grass | 90-110 | Moderate |
| Green Drops | 65-75 | Moderate |
| Purple Majesty | 120 | Moderate |
| Purple Top Timothy | 60-90 | Easy |
| Silver Tip | 60-75 | Moderate |
Variety Details
Black Tip Wheat
Very fancy white glumes (kernels) offset by long black awns. Easy textural element for fresh and dried bouquets. Also known as durum wheat.
Frosted Explosion
The airy flower plumes add sparkle to bouquets and landscapes. A productive filler for bouquets, and a carefree bedding plant. For cut-flower production, keep harvested for second and subsequent flushes of stems.
Greater Quaking Grass
1/2-1" long seedheads turn from light green to a beautiful, golden straw color when dried or left on the plants. Stems of these nodding, dancing beauties are a must-have for adding bits of sparkle and detail to design work. Productive plants produce abundant 12-20" long stems useful for fresh or dried cut flowers. The thin stems of this clump-forming grass are best suited for design work and not recommended for when something sturdy is needed. Beautiful addition to containers or garden beds. Might self-sow if seedheads are left on the plants. Tolerant to dry growing conditions once established. Also commonly known as big quaking grass, rattlesnake grass, and large quaking grass.
Green Drops
Stems can be harvested early when bead-like tassels are sparkling bright green. Or for a more autumnal look, harvest a bit later when seed heads have developed hues of purple and gold, and a deeper, graceful arch. Uniform plants can be used fresh or dried. Plumes are approx. 4-7" long, depending on stage of harvest. Similar in appearance to broom corn, but the plants are faster growing, and the plant height and habit are much more manageable.
Purple Majesty
Add architecture and color to floral arrangements or containers. Deep purple foliage, stems, and cattail-like spikes. 1-3 main stems and 12-14" secondary plumes. Suited to 4" pots up to gallon containers. Also known as pearl millet. FleuroSelect Gold Award Winner. AAS Winner.
Purple Top Timothy
A premium cool-season grass variety prized for its distinctive purple-tinged seed heads and excellent performance in northern climates. This hardy perennial forms dense, uniform stands that provide excellent ground cover and erosion control. Timothy grass is beloved by wildlife and creates a naturalistic meadow appearance that's perfect for eco-friendly landscaping.
Silver Tip
Green-to-white glumes and awns. 4" heads (not counting the awns). Easy textural element for fresh and dried bouquets. Vigorous wheat/rye cross.