Koeleria macrantha (Prairie Junegrass)

Turns out the name is because it looks best in June! Pics from my garden.

From CONPS: This perennial bunchgrass will flower earlier than many other upland prairie grasses.  Its plumes of silvery-green spiky seed heads turn tan by mid-summer.  The foliage supporting these seeds is also an attractive green-gray color.  Grows actively during the spring and fall when soil temperatures are cool, and likes full sun and dry, often sandy, soil.  Its preference for dry, sunny conditions makes it a popular candidate for green roofs. Dormant in late summer, plant with companion plants to mask dormancy periods. May need supplemental water during active growth periods. Space 10" to 12" apart, height can range from 12" t0 24".  

This blog post points out that it can take quite a bit of shade - http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2013/05/plant-of-month-may-prairie-junegrass.htm