Sporobolus heterolepis
Prairie dropseed
- Height × spread
- 0.35m × 0.5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a refined and rather elegant prairie grass with very slender leaves that arch outwards and downwards, making a mound of glossy green. In autumn the foliage becomes burnished to a copper shade of gold, the colour paling over the winter months. It flowers in August and September when it produces delicate heads that form open-textured tall triangles. These flowers carry a curious fragrance, generally described as herbal.
- Flower colour
- Beige
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.35m
- Spread
- 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Prairie garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bird attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during drought
After three or four weeks without rain, except for drought tolerant plants, those in the ground often get stressed. Adopt the habit of deep-watering one section of the garden each day. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Encourage plants to develop good root systems by giving occasional deep watering. Some plants, such as conifers and heathers, do not show much sign of distress so water these if in doubt.