A tough, adaptable, clump-forming, warm-season grass native to most of North America. This does not spread aggressively by the roots. It ...Read Moremay sometimes self-sow, but I haven't found it to do so aggressively in the garden.
The flowers/seedheads are fine-textured and have a misty presence, especially attractive when back-lit by the low sun.
When I see this growing in unimproved soil by the roadside, it's generally only 2-3' tall, and stands straight all winter through snow and ice. Attractive winter presence. In rich garden soil, it may topple.
Though it's a warm-season grass, I've always found it to survive the winter after fall planting (in Z6a Boston).
I have so far have seen the straight species of this wild in southern New Jersey in the pine barrens, in a prairie restoration in norther...Read Moren Illinois and southeast PA, at Prime Hook Preserve in southern Delaware, and what was seeded on the grounds of the Wild Center of the Wild Ones in central Wisconsin. Otherwise, I have used it as several cultivars and it is planted somewhat commonly in gardens and landscapes. Good native prairie or meadow plant. It can used in a garden or landscape as the mother species also. This species stands up well, not flopping over as some other grasses. If used in a prairie restoration, North Creek Nursery recommends that it be burned at least every 4 to 6 years, as it likes fire in early spring like many other prairie plants. I have burned my clumps in my garden after cutting away most of the top, leaving the short stubble to burn.
Provides winter interest, although more for its structure and not its color as with some other prairie grasses (e.g., little bluestem). ...Read MoreIt has very fine, attractive seed heads.
It can be a bit more aggressive than some native prairie grasses, but shouldn't be too difficult to control. It tolerates a wide range of soils from wet-mesic to dry, and is drought tolerant (although not as tolerant as some other native tall prairie grasses like indian grass or big or little bluestem).
Birds eat the seed, so it provides important winter forage for them. Also a good ground cover for wildlife.
Shouldn't need stratified, as seeds germinate fairly readily when sown in warm soil (>60 deg. F).
Bridgewater, MA (Zone 6b) | August 2006 | positive
This grass was mentioned in George Bush's 2006 State of the Union address as a possible source of energy. It is considered a potential...Read Morely important source of ethanol, as it yields considerably more ethanol than does a comparable amount of corn, which is the most common source of ethanol fuel in the United States.
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | August 2002 | neutral
This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions and may kisplace desireable vegetation if not properly managed. It is native to ...Read Moreall of the US except CA and the Pacific NW. It grows 3-5 feet tall and is used as nesting areas for pheasants, quail and rabbits. The seeds also provide food for many birds and animals.
A tough, adaptable, clump-forming, warm-season grass native to most of North America. This does not spread aggressively by the roots. It ...Read More
I have so far have seen the straight species of this wild in southern New Jersey in the pine barrens, in a prairie restoration in norther...Read More
Please do not plant in Hawai'i, potentially very invasive.
Provides winter interest, although more for its structure and not its color as with some other prairie grasses (e.g., little bluestem). ...Read More
This grass was mentioned in George Bush's 2006 State of the Union address as a possible source of energy. It is considered a potential...Read More
This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions and may kisplace desireable vegetation if not properly managed. It is native to ...Read More