Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed)

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. tall. 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. Foliage is resilient enough to resist flattening by snow, so it provides year-round interest. 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. tall on slender stems. The small mature seeds drop to the ground in the fall, hence its common name of ‘Dropseed’.

• 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.
• Slowly grows in a dense clump about 2-3 ft. tall and across (60-90 cm), it enjoys full sun and average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. This plant is not fussy about soils and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including heavy clay. Dry, rocky soils are preferred though.
• Drought tolerant, it requires very little care, is virtually disease-free, pest-free and provides weeks of interest from summer to frost
• May be grown from seed but does not freely self-seed.
• Native to North America.