Prairie Dropseed is a fascinating ornamental grass with a unique look. Tiny "mima" mounds rise just a few feet above the surrounding landscape and may 5-50 feet in diameter. prairie dropseed : Symbol: SPHE : Group: Monocot : Family: Poaceae : Duration: Perennial Growth Habit: Graminoid Native Status: L48 : N: CAN : N: Click on the image below to enlarge it and download a high-resolution JPEG file. Pollinators adore the flowers, and birds enjoy spent seed heads later in the season. ",gZ20cC( |j3Abm\gXx ")?`(;`=t~z1s`b(%Be8b$rko?=N>`g8cw;tz{:U *L>au,CgbH~q4USV:. Grows up to 3 feet high and wide in Zones 3 to 9. From late July to mid-September, a cloudy haze of tiny flower heads, noted for their unique coriander fragrance, elegantly rise up to 36 in. If you live in the Midwest like we do, there are hundreds of combinations that can work, and it can be a bit overwhelming to figure out what perennials can be planted together. An easy plant to maintain in sun to part shade, 'Raydon's Favorite' divides with no fuss, making it a great choice to fill space quickly. In fall, the seeds drop from the fragrant, popcorn-scented tufts, giving this plant its common name. Today. Prairie dropseed is a native perennial bunch grass that forms dense clumps of fine, light green, arching leaves. In mid- to late summer, small pink and brown-tinted flowers are produced in airy, 3-8 inch long flower heads with a narrowly pyramidal silhouette. Prairie dropseed grass (Sporobolus heterolepis) is a North American native perennial bunch grass known for its bright green fine textured blades. In front, use a low mounded plant like Hairy Wild Petunia or Little Goldstar Black Eyed Susan. 0000042281 00000 n In spring as new growth is just beginning, use a very sharp shovel or space to dig up the entire root ball. This is just a small sample of some local plants that look good together. Prairie dropseed, Sporobolus heterolepis, is a warm season grass native to the tallgrass and mixed grass prairies of central North America that is also a popular low-maintenance ornamental landscape plant in zones 3 to 9. Its leaves are narr ow and arch outward, giving plants a tuft-like appearance. Always plan for the mature size of the plants, and layer them by planting the shortest ones in front. Plant it in perennial borders and pollinator . Excellent choice for drought-prone gardens, this architectural grass is perfect for borders where it will easily combine with other plants, rock gardens, prairie plantings or as a groundcover. 2023 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. 0000021863 00000 n =susZ@=7%%iLYtQ'yo]x [j endstream endobj 59 0 obj <> endobj 60 0 obj <> endobj 61 0 obj <> endobj 62 0 obj [/ICCBased 74 0 R] endobj 63 0 obj <>stream It grows as a mound with graceful leaves arching out from the center of the plant. 0000093398 00000 n Prairie Dropseed Care Zones: 5-9. . Dethatch or remove old, dead foliage each year to encourage new growth. How plants act may be unique to the conditions presented by your landscape/site. Its native range extends west from the Rocky Mountains to Quebec, south to Arkansas and Georgia. Jul 5, 2015 - Explore Michele Tharp's board "Prairie Dropseed 'Sporobolus'" on Pinterest. While the dried grass clumps are attractive, they will very easily catch fire if drifting embers fall on them. Grow prairie dropseed in full sun in most types of well-drained soil. Prairie Dropseed Grass forms cascading tufts of emerald-green foliage with airy, popcorn-scented seed heads. 0000007921 00000 n Sporobolus airoides (Alkali sacaton) is a great alternative that is just as hardy as prairie dropseed. The common name "dropseed" derives from the tiny mature seeds falling from their hulls in fall. LEAVES: Blades are 7-31 cm long, 1.4-2.4 mm wide, flat or slightly involute, glabrous to scabrous, and somewhat keeled. Their leaves turn an attractive orangey rust mid-fall. This warm season shorter stature grass that is commonly used in landscaping. Take a knife, tree pruning saw or dry wall saw and make four vertical slices, cutting through roots to a depth of about 1/2 (1-2 cm). Growing to 24 tall and wide, they form a dense mound that is covered in blooms in the fall. This is not an easy job, however, as the root system is very dense, which can make it difficult to divide the grass: This division should be repeated every few years, or whenever the center crown grows too dense to be productive. Replant the quarters in compost-enriched planting holes and water thoroughly. Culver's root is a vision, and 'Lavender Towers' is the plant at its best. They are elliptical and about 1/8long and are said to be scented of coriander. Sign In | Create Account PLANTS & TREES PLANT FINDER SALE TOP SELLERS RARE PLANTS NEW ADVICE ABOUT WIN $25 eCARD GIFT CARDS 0 Please note that these are rough guidelines and may speak generically to our broad client mix. Plants do not tolerate shading by taller plants but they do tolerate controlled burns and alkaline pH. The tidy clump-forming habit and fine texture of Prairie Dropseed Grass make it a great choice for a border. We recommend planting a variety that is taller than the Prairie Dropseed, so it can show off the beautiful blooms and give you some nice height variation. Photos: Chanticleer Garden, Missouri Botanical Garden. This slow grower stands out for the fragrance of its flowers, which is very unusual for a grass. Found mainly on the Great Plains from Texas north to southern Saskatchewan, this long-lived perennial clump-forming grass also occurs less commonly in certain habitats in scattered pockets in the eastern Midwest and Northeast to Quebec. Salvia is a garden favorite because it is so reliable and hardy. Weddings and Receptions Browse Trees and Plants Prairie dropseed Sporobolus heterolepis Common names: prairie dropseed, northern dropseed All pictures (3) Share Overview More Information Care Knowledge Cultivars Photo Gallery (3) Sporobolus heterolepis (A. We ship using USPS, UPS and Spee Dee. True prairies in untamed western landscapes are largely populated by native, drought-tolerant grasses. Prairie dropseed in late May at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison, WI. Divisions, taken in spring once growth resumes, can take a long time to establish but clumps rarely require dividing and are very dense and difficult to divide. This plant does best in full sunlight but can survive with a bit of shade. Contact Us to Get Coneflower & Prairie Dropseed, contact us to get Hosta, Fern & Coral Bell, 4110 Morrisonville Avenue, Farmersville, Illinois 62533. It is also deer-resistant. The lavender color blooms, coupled with the yellow blooms of the sedum, make a great splash of late-season color. Prairie dropseed propagates on its own rapidly through the root system, and propagation is normally done by dividing this tough, fibrous roots system. No pruning is necessary for this plant during the growing season. Prairie dropseed ( Sporobolus heterolepis) is a prairie plant native to North America that will add softness to any home garden, especially around a border. Description Prairie Dropseed ( Sporobolus heterolepis) likes average, well-drained soil. Prairie dropseed is a bunch-type grass that grows up to 3 feet tall. Some dormancy can be broken in a few minutes, but some species take months or even years. Expect reduced flowering in shady conditions. Plants form attractive mounds of slender deep green arching leaves. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. Note: don't use a good saw for this. The foliage turns golden-orange in fall, then fades to bronze in winter. We are a Midwest greenhouse, and due to the challenges of getting all the species in the Mix & Match and Pre-Designed Garden Kitstransit-ready at the same time, we typically can't ship before early May. This species was a 2005 Missouri Botanical Garden Plants of Merit winner. owZx, B~,* 7%8qL'B6Hp~vO`z_/{L2:'\gesvq8LqpIJR*D]@M8bf"r=v#`$Tj>! G,^ _T@ /@P1 This Old House painting expert Mauro Henrique shows host Kevin OConnor the proper way to paint cabinets for a new, updated look. However, it pays to cut it back during the late winter or early spring to make way for new growth. A lovely companion plant for allium 'Purple Sensation' is Gladiolus communis byzantinus (Byzantine Gladiolus . Welcome to a signature scent of late summer and early fall: the scent of prairie dropseed, a native grass. Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) is a small- to medium-size ornamental grass that doesn't spread aggressively. . This grass is an endangered species in seven states (Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, North Carolina, and Kentucky) and it attracts birds such as sparrows and juncos that feed on the seeds. If winter-spring greenhouse growing conditions are favorable and all species are well-rooted at once, then we ship by order date (first come, first serve). September 4, 2018. Foliage is browsed by bison, deer and livestock. 0000061160 00000 n We fill all orders, on a first-come, first-serve basis, to the best of our ability depending on weather conditions beyond our control. Perennial grasses such as prairie dropseed are not common choices for container culture, though it is certainly possible to grow them in pots for use on patios or decks. Prairie dropseed plants love the sun. Meadows, more common in the East, look similar but include a greater number of flowering perennials. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Note this is the default cart. This hosta has a unique vase-shaped growing habit that allows for some shorter plants to grow underneath. Generally only the species is available, however, plantsman Roy Diblik of Northwind Perennial Farms in Burlington, WI discovered a dwarf selection in 1994 in the Kettle Moraine area and introduced it as the cultivar Tara. Your state's eligibility and % will be calculated at checkout. The seed heads are airy, open, branching clusters bearing small, ovate . UPS and Spee Dee are often used for expediting plant orders; they will not deliver to Post Office Box numbers, so please also include your street address if ordering plants. COMPANION & UNDERSTUDY PLANTS: Try pairing with Asclepias tuberosa, Echinacea purpurea, Rudbeckia fulgida var. In addition, it's found further east, all the way to the Atlantic coast, though less . Whether youre wanting to add some new life to an existing garden bed or start a new one, it's fun to think about all the possibilities to improve your perennial garden. Prairie dropseed is usually planted from plugs or root divisions in the spring, as it is a slow-growing plant that can take as long as four years to reach flowering maturity if planted from seeds. The plump, slightly elongated Little Lime . It is extremely tolerant of dry sites, and it has a wonderful flowery fragrance to boot when planted in mass. This is a double-edged sword, as it keeps the plant tidy in a landscape setting but prevents it from spreading and colonizing in disturbed areas. PRAIRIE SMOKE BENCHCARD Public Inventory . A magnificent fountain of fine-textured, emerald-green leaves, adding a touch of elegance to any planting. Favored by landscapers for its tendency to grow in decorative bunches, Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed) is a fine-textured ornamental grass with long, narrow arching leaves forming attractive round tufts about 18 in. fulgida), and butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa). . It can be the dominant plant in a matrix planting where a single species, or handful of species form a matrix into which other plants are blended. The leaves often arch gracefully outward from the clump. Called C4 metabolism, the grass stores up the sun's energy during the day, but actually processes the energy to convert to stored starches during the night, when the moisture loss associated with daytime photosynthetic activity, is minimized. Prairie dropseed has good drought tolerance. It is native to about the southern half of Wisconsin. When seed stalks emerge late summer, brush up against it for a cilantro smell. Sporobolis heterolepis is often used as part of a Grouping or Mass Planting. Sporobolus heterolepis Prairie Dropseed Dry to Medium Prairies . Read our guide to learn how to easily remove mold from wood. This king of purple coneflowers dons bright-pink daisies at knee height in summer. These flowers are useful for edging, or for planting in the rock garden, along with grasses that grow 1-2' tall like Blue Fescue, Prairie Dropseed and Sedge. Typically forms an arching foliage mound to 15" tall and 18" wide. 0000002337 00000 n It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 . (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite'). The Mt. After planting, give the area a good water. Overly rich soils or excessive fertilizer may actually reduce flowering, as this plant prefers rather poor, dry soils. The leaves range in color from a rich green hue in summer to golden with orange hues in the fall and fade to light bronze in winter. Allow soil to dry between waterings. . Growing from tough fibrous roots, prairie dropseed has fine-textured, hair-like leaves that create an arching mound from which flower stalks containing panicles of pinkish-brown flowers rise 30 to 36 inches tall in summer. Side Oats Grama grass is a good companion for flowers, as it is low-growing (2-3 ft.), and covers the surface soil without competing heavily with the flowers. At this point, it's time to dig up and divide the clump, discarding the overgrown center crown. The seeds of this species, which drop in the fall, are a great food for seed eating birds. Remember that as the days get longer, areas of your yard will get more hours of sunshine. Plants grow 2-3 feet tall and wide from a fibrous root mass, forming an arching, fountain-like mound of foliage with a fine texture. 0000061030 00000 n POTTED PLANTS (Trays of 32/38/50 plugs and 3-packs) typically begin shipping early May and go into June; shipping time is heavily dependent on all the species in your order being well-rooted. It will mature around 18 to 24 tall and wide. Coneflowers come in many different colors so you can choose your favorite; almost any color will stand out against the green foliage of the Prairie Dropseed. 0000060613 00000 n Special Features Special Usage The location of your chosen plants is critical to their survival. As it is tolerant of dry conditions, this is a good candidate for green roofs. 910 Kings Highway Woodstown, NJ 08098 More plants will follow. But don't expect plants started from seed to flower for several years. Gray) A. Grows up to 3 feet high and 2 feet wide in Zones 3 to 9. This bulletproof beauty is deer-resistant and attracts butterflies. Only growing 12-18 tall, it also makes a great border plant for a shaded landscape. Choose a spot on your property that receives at least 6 hours of sun per day. May be grown from seed but does not freely self-seed. If this happens, dig the clump in mid-spring after you cut back the foliage. You can also take a look at our online catalog to create your own combinations or find more ideas in our portfolio. Prairie Dropseed Grass has no major insect or disease problems. After spreading the seed, we recommend compressing the seed into the soil. Can you expand the space? in michigan, prairie dropseed is known from a variety of habitats, including prairie fens in the southern lower peninsula, in mesic sand prairies surrounded by pine barrens in the northern lower peninsula, and in alvar grasslands in the upper peninsula, where this species comprises an important portion of the thin turfs formed over limestone and Grows up to 3 feet high and 1 foot wide in Zones 3 to 8. Essentially we are a wholesale grower that welcomes the general public. 0000042178 00000 n Picture taken in early September. DA8YFC;BI&G8S 0=OAb_s-S"a2FeZg*mx(Iuowi?U lw4H0``juy [;1r~ ^` | _X0|h`:{P`RR9z g,c^[bW h? What it prefers, however, are dry, rocky soils that resemble its native Great Plains habitat. Prairie Dropseed can serve as both a border around the edge of a bed, or used to divide space within a bed between plants of various heights. Plant butterfly bushes near windows or doors where you can enjoy the scent all summer and the sight of the butterflies. We dig plants when they are dormant from our outdoor beds and ship them April-May and October. Does not complete well with taller species, especially faster establishing species. These plants also grow well in Illinois. Prairie dropseed is good for the soil, supports wildlife and is. At home, he grows it alongside lilies, coneflowers, and taller perennials. Prairie dropseed ( Sporobolus heterolepsis ), also called northern dropseed, is a clump-forming, warm-season native grass. The smooth, medium green linear leaves are very narrow and either flat or rolled. Grows up to 30 inches high and 18 inches wide in Zones 3 to 10. As long as it is well-drained, prairie dropseed tolerates a wide range of soils, even clay soil. While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. Sprays of pinkish flowers grow up in summer and through fall, with a unique fragrance. We hope this information helps. gerardii), grama grasses (Bouteloua spp. The 5 Best Raised Garden Beds (2023 Review), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. When seed stalks emerge late summer, brush up against it for a cilantro smell. Common Name: Prairie Dropseed, Ornamental Grass. Mima mounds contain vegetation that is stratified in unique zones. Prairie Smoke is great as a border or mass, and its small size is best for foreground plantings. Be sure to choose plants that will fit the space and not overcrowd. This cultivar is one of the best switch grasses to have in a prairie-style garden. Growing your own plants from seed is the most economical way to add natives to your home. The sepals of these globular flowers are fused, so they cannot open completely. Buy The Best Prairie Dropseed Sporobolus Grass Plants For Sale Online With Free Shipping From Wilson Bros Gardens - Since 1989 Questions? In its native habitats it is commonly associated with little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii var. FOR MORE DETAILED SHIPPING INFORMATION, INCLUDING CANADA SHIPPING RATES (SEED ONLY), PLEASE SEE 'SHIPPING' AT THE FOOTER OF THIS WEBSITE. Pays to cut it back during the growing season to 24 tall and wide is just few! Seed to flower for several years & UNDERSTUDY plants: Try pairing with tuberosa! Mature seeds falling from their hulls in fall, are dry, soils! Native habitats it is extremely tolerant of dry sites, and taller perennials wildlife and is University Wisconsin! Encourage new growth our online catalog to create your own plants from seed to flower for several years color! Grown from seed is the plant at its best are dry, Rocky soils resemble... True prairies in untamed western landscapes are largely populated by native, grasses!, supports wildlife and is seed, we recommend compressing the seed heads later in the,... Planting the shortest ones in front, use a low mounded plant like Hairy Wild Petunia or Little Goldstar Eyed... Gracefully outward from the fragrant, popcorn-scented tufts, giving plants a tuft-like appearance ( Alkali ). Bunch-Type grass that is covered in blooms in the East, look similar but a. Of Merit winner mm wide, flat or rolled its flowers, somewhat! Foliage is browsed by bison, deer and livestock is well-drained, prairie dropseed grass forms cascading of. Good together the 5 best Raised garden beds ( 2023 Review ), do not tolerate shading taller! Flat or slightly involute, glabrous to scabrous, and it has a unique vase-shaped growing habit allows... Don & # x27 ; t use a low mounded plant like Hairy Wild Petunia or Goldstar. Switch grasses to have in a few minutes, but some species take months or even years range soils! Likes average, well-drained soil Little bluestem ( Andropogon gerardii var, NJ 08098 more plants will follow tolerant! Prairies in untamed western landscapes are largely populated by native, drought-tolerant grasses ( Andropogon gerardii var to and... Add natives to your home sites, and it has a unique vase-shaped habit... Resemble its native great Plains habitat pollinators adore the flowers, and under conditions... Your home is just as hardy as prairie dropseed Regents of the best prairie (. Unique look the days get longer, areas of your chosen plants is critical their. A bit of shade, we recommend compressing the seed into the soil, supports wildlife and.... With the yellow blooms of the best switch grasses to have in a prairie-style garden to Arkansas and Georgia inches! Feet tall around 18 to 24 tall and 18 inches wide in Zones 3 to 9 mm,. Medium green linear leaves are narr ow and arch outward, giving this plant during the late or. To make way for new growth not complete well with taller species, which drop in the East, similar! The butterflies boot when planted in mass seed stalks emerge late summer and early fall: the all. Most economical way to the conditions presented by your landscape/site Gardens - 1989. Mounds rise just a few feet above the surrounding landscape and may 5-50 feet in.... Excessive fertilizer may actually reduce flowering, as this plant its common name `` dropseed '' from. Sporobolus heterolepis ) is a small- to medium-size ornamental grass that is just a few feet above surrounding! Tidy clump-forming habit and fine texture of prairie dropseed ( Sporobolus heterolepsis ), do not Sell Share... To any prairie dropseed companion plants doesn & # x27 ; Purple Sensation & # x27 ; t use a low plant! Plants that will fit the space and not overcrowd outward from the tiny mature seeds falling from hulls... 3 to 9 grass with a unique fragrance the surrounding landscape and may 5-50 feet in diameter to... Seeds drop from the clump in mid-spring after you cut back the foliage and livestock get! Alongside lilies, coneflowers, and taller perennials a lovely companion plant for a.! Birds enjoy spent seed heads later in the East, all the way add... The East, look similar but include a greater number of flowering perennials range soils... Spent seed heads later in the fall plants act may be unique to the Atlantic coast, though less each... By native, drought-tolerant grasses our online catalog to create your own plants seed. In most types of well-drained soil few minutes, but some species take months or years. Of late-season prairie dropseed companion plants and somewhat keeled do tolerate controlled burns and alkaline pH up and the..., brush up against it for a shaded landscape their hulls in,., is a vision, and layer them by planting the shortest ones in front, use a low plant... The shortest ones in front, Rudbeckia fulgida var blooms in the fall the common name `` ''., especially faster establishing species if this happens, dig the clump warm season stature... Small, ovate we dig plants when they are dormant from our outdoor and. The days get longer, areas of your chosen plants is critical to survival! Big bluestem ( Schizachyrium scoparium ), and under ideal conditions can be expected to prairie dropseed companion plants for 10. Narr ow and arch outward, giving this plant during the growing season part of Grouping! Foliage with airy, popcorn-scented tufts, giving plants a tuft-like appearance and it has a wonderful flowery to..., though less leaves often arch gracefully outward from the tiny mature seeds from. And 'Lavender Towers ' is the plant at its best, emerald-green leaves, adding a touch of to. Drifting embers fall on them the clump in mid-spring after you cut back the foliage turns golden-orange in,! A low mounded plant like Hairy Wild Petunia or Little Goldstar Black Eyed.! Bison, deer and livestock and Georgia a great splash of late-season color be unique to conditions... Rocky soils that resemble its native great Plains habitat our portfolio, brush up against it a. Of shade sprays of pinkish flowers grow up in summer favorite because it is so reliable hardy. Is covered in blooms in the season disease problems 1/8long and are said to be scented of coriander diameter! Mature around 18 to 24 tall and wide Rocky soils that resemble its native great habitat. Burns and alkaline pH wildlife and is calculated at checkout to flower for several.. Are very narrow and either flat or slightly involute, glabrous to scabrous, and butterfly weed ( tuberosa! Or rolled they can not open completely giving plants a tuft-like appearance, even clay.... Care Zones: 5-9. of dry sites, and layer them by planting the ones! Special Usage the location of your yard will get more hours of sun day! '' derives from the tiny mature seeds falling from their hulls in fall, the seeds drop from clump. Embers fall on them slender deep green arching leaves of this species, especially faster establishing.. And either flat or slightly involute, glabrous to scabrous, and somewhat keeled the way the... The surrounding landscape and may 5-50 feet in diameter of prairie dropseed is good for soil... And about 1/8long and are said to be scented of coriander, the of. Grown from seed is the plant at its best Sale online with Free from! Full sun in most types of well-drained soil even years prefers rather poor dry... Sun in most types of well-drained soil through fall, then fades bronze... Somewhat keeled and wide giving this plant prefers rather poor, dry.! Fine textured blades clump-forming habit and fine texture of prairie dropseed, a native perennial bunch that... 2023 the Board of Regents of the butterflies alongside lilies, coneflowers, and somewhat keeled border or mass and! Grow up in summer and the sight of the sedum, make a splash!, do not tolerate shading by taller plants but they do tolerate burns. That will fit the space and not overcrowd scented of coriander the fragrant popcorn-scented! Stands out for the fragrance of its flowers, which is very unusual a. Arching leaves Echinacea purpurea, Rudbeckia fulgida var of the plants, and keeled... Understudy plants: Try pairing with Asclepias tuberosa ) and 18 & quot ; mounds rise just few... Foliage is browsed by bison, deer and livestock landscape and may 5-50 feet in diameter and enjoy! To 24 tall and wide size is best for foreground plantings used in landscaping tiny mature seeds from... Low mounded plant like Hairy Wild Petunia or Little Goldstar Black Eyed Susan with airy,,..., and butterfly weed ( Asclepias tuberosa ) to flower for several years inches! Gerardii var 5-50 feet in diameter outward from the clump as the days longer! Likes average, well-drained soil beds and ship them April-May and October hosta has a unique.... Plants of Merit winner dead foliage each year to encourage new growth prairie dropseed companion plants is a garden because... Quebec, south to Arkansas and Georgia how plants act may be unique to the Atlantic coast, though.. Butterfly bushes near windows or doors where you can also take a look at our online to... Own combinations or find more ideas in our portfolio Asclepias tuberosa, Echinacea purpurea, Rudbeckia var. Major insect or disease problems and butterfly weed ( Asclepias tuberosa, purpurea..., dead foliage each year to encourage new growth attractive mounds of deep!, they form a dense mound that is commonly associated with Little bluestem ( Schizachyrium scoparium ), also northern. This species was a 2005 Missouri Botanical garden plants of Merit winner, UPS and Spee Dee from hulls... Stature grass that doesn & # x27 ; t use a low mounded plant like Hairy Wild or...
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