Summary
Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) is a long-lived, drought-tolerant perennial that is ideal as a ground-cover or an accent plant for hot and dry sites. The attractive mound of hair-like foliage is medium green, up to 3’ wide, and 1½’ tall. In late summer, numerous 2-3’ tall spikes emerge from the clump and terminate in an airy, tan colored inflorescence. Plants should be sited in well-drained, rocky to gravelly, soil of low fertility in full sun. Take advantage of its fall color that ranges from yellow to golden orange and plant it with little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), shaggy gayfeather (Liatris pilosa), slender goldentop (Euthamia caroliniana), narrowleaf mountain-mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium), Maryland golden-aster (Chrysopsis mariana), and butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa). Zones 3-9.
More Details
- Plant Type
perennial-grass - Sun/Shade Conditions
full-sun-to-partial-shade - Foliage Character
deciduous - Soil Moisture
average-to-dry - Flowering Period
mid-to-late-summer - Soil PH
adaptable - Flower Color
white - Summer Foliage Color
green - Fall Foliage Color
green, orange, yellow - Fruit/Seed Color
tan
Additional Information
Illinois Wildflowers, Missouri Botanical Garden, New England Wildflower Society