Diggin' the natives; Prairie Dropseed

Sporobolis heterolepsis, or Prairie Dropseed. Photo courtesy Susan Harris.

This week’s native is Sporobolis heterolepsis, commonly known as Prairie Dropseed.

This seemed to be THE grass discussed at the Native Plants in the Landscape Conference, held the beginning of June.  Many speakers talked about it’s uses in both formal and informal gardens, as groundcover or in a prairie community.  Personally I have not grown it yet, as I am not a big fan of ornamental grasses – but even I have been converted to the grassy side.  Viewing images of Prairie Dropseed alongside some of my favorite – Aster, Asclepias, Allium, etc – resulted in plant lust, I must admit.

Prairie Dropseed is a clump forming, fine textured native grass.  Seed heads arise in late summer bringing plant height to 30”.  In the fall the foliage turns orange, then copper for the winter – see why I am hooked?  I love fall color in perennials (and grasses now too).  Soil requirements are flexible – moist rich soil or dry stony soil.  Full sun to part shade.  Hardy 3-8.

The down side is plant availability – typically this is available through wholesale growers in flats of 32 or 50.  This makes it difficult for most gardeners to acquire it, let alone decide what to do with 50 plants!  I am fortunate to have a husband in the industry – and who tolerates all my crazy ideas – so my flat will be arriving this week (can you tell I am grinning as I write this?).  Watch for my series “A Garden Story” showing my garden area where I am installing Sporobolis.