Plant Details
Sporobolus Heterolepis
Common name: Prairie Dropseed
Very thin, emerald green leaves form a dense arching tuft. Seed heads form in August and give off a distinct aroma. These graceful clumps turn yellow or deep orange in fall. Provides food and cover for wildlife. A 2005 Missouri Botanical Garden Plants of Merit winner.
Culture:
Tough and drought tolerant. Grow in full sun in dry to average soil.
Use:
Looks great toward the front of the border or weaving in and out of taller flowering plants. Use in native plant gardens, naturalized areas, prairies and meadows. Excellent in massed plantings. Provides food and cover for wildlife.
Height:
18 to 24 inches
Spread:
24 to 30 inches
Color:
Green
Fall color: Yellow-Orange
USDA Hardiness Zone:
3 - 9
Good Companion Plants
- Aromatic Aster (aster oblongifolius)
- Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya)
- Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera)
- Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis)
- Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida)
- Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
- Yellow Coneflower (Echinacea paradoxa)
- Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)
Characteristics and Attributes
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Season of Interest:
Mid (May - June)
Late (July - frost)
Soil Moisture:
Average
Moderate
Wildlife Benefit:
Cover
Food/Birds
Food/Small Animals
Special Uses:
Fragrant
Nature Attracting:
Songbird
Critter Resistance:
Deer Resistant
