Alphabetical Plant Listing

Sporobolus virginicus (Seashore Dropseed)

Seashore Dropseed, Beach Dropseed, Seashore Rushgrass, Coastal Dropseed, Agrostis virginica


Long-lived, Sporobolus virginicus (Seashore Dropseed) is a low-growing vigorous perennial grass that spreads by rhizomes to form large patches. The leaves are alternate and linear, up to 4 in. long (10 cm). The leaf sheath is overlapping and hairy at the throat. Dense, greenish-white, sometimes purplish spikelets, 3 in. long (7 cm), are on display most of the year. Their small mature seeds drop to the ground in the fall. Seashore Dropseed provides excellent winter food for wild geese and many native seabirds find shelter and build nests in coastal stands. Fairly widespread throughout the tropical regions, Seashore Dropseed is native to the Pacific Islands Region as well as the continental United States. It also occurs in Africa, western seaboard of India, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Its native habitats include salt marshes, dunes, disturbed saline areas. Tolerant of flooding, drought, saline conditions, undemanding and pest-free, Seashore Dropseed is most appropriate as a groundcover in coastal settings, a salt marsh coastal stabilizer and a low dune stabilizer.

  • Grows up to 1-2 ft. tall (30-60 cm). Will quickly spread to form a colony.
  • Performs best in full sun in sandy, moist, moderately well-drained to periodically inundated brackish or saline soils. Tolerant of short periods of drought once established.
  • Excellent choice as a groundcover in coastal areas and for wildflower gardens.
  • No serious pest or disease issues.
  • Propagated by seed or division.
  • Native to the Southeastern United States, West Indies, Mexico, Central America, South America, Africa, western seaboard of India, Sri Lanka, and Australia.

Buy Sporobolus virginicus (Seashore Dropseed)

Requirements

Hardiness 8 – 11
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants Australia, United States, Northeast, Maryland, Southeast, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Southwest, Texas
Tolerance Drought, Salt, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Ground Covers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden

Buy Plants


Forest and Kim Starr, Flickr

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. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 8 – 11
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants Australia, United States, Northeast, Maryland, Southeast, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Southwest, Texas
Tolerance Drought, Salt, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Ground Covers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden

Plant Calculator

How many Sporobolus virginicus (Seashore Dropseed) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Sporobolus virginicus (Seashore Dropseed)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.