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'Gone With The Wind' Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus)

Perennial

6 total reviews

  • Wispy, airy flower panicles for the ultimate movement!
  • Low maintenance, great for beginners.
  • Native alternative to other ornamental grasses.
  • Zones 3-9, sun, 3' tall x 2' wide at maturity.
  • ZONE
  • EXPOSURE
  • HEIGHT
Size: One Quart
Regular price $25.00
Sale price Sale: $25.00 Regular price Each
Total: $25.00
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Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
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Arrives as a Young Plant
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Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee

Description

Watch as 'Gone With The Wind' prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) dances in the wind, waving its quaint flower panicles. This ornamental grass created unique movement in the garden with textured interest. Originally native to North American prairies, birds and other wildlife depend on this plant as a nutritious food source. Bird watchers and gardeners alike appreciate this plant's versatility in various soils and climates.

Whether used as a single specimen or a whimsical groundcover, prairie dropseed boasts its cloudy plume of tiny flower heads throughout the garden. 'Gone With The Wind' is shorter than the species, making for a perfect wispy border or ornamental accent to the landscape. Able to tolerate some drought at maturity, beginner gardeners can grow this with ease.

Details

Botanical name: Sporobolus heterolepis 'Gone With The Wind
Common name: Prairie Dropseed, Ornamental Grass
Zone: 3-9
Sun exposure: Sun (> 6 hours sun)
Height x width: 3’ X 2’
Flower color: Tan
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Year-round
Bloom time: Late Summer
Features: Native, specimen, fall color, drought tolerant, best for beginners
Uses: Border, Cottage gardening, background, foundation planting, massing, hedge, ornamental

How to Grow

Soil: Average, dry to medium, well-drained soils.
Light: Does well in full sun.
Water: Dry to medium — Water regularly until established.
Spacing: 2-3'
Fertilizing: Spring application of a timed release, or organic fertilizer
Winterizing: No special care needed. Can cut back or leave foliage standing for winter interest.
Maintenance & pruning: Cut back in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

Grasses for Winter Interest

Adding ornamental grass is one surefire way to bring beauty to the bleakness! Here are a few options that each have a unique pop to add to that garden you’re gazing out at during those especially chilly days.

Learn more

Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:

bush distance

Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:

bush distance zigzag

Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.

Plant Spacing Calculator

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  • 5 stars: 4 (67%)
  • 4 stars: 2 (33%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
A
A.B. (Minnesota)
Healthy plants

Wow! I have never ordered from Great Garden Plants and was a little betta out the quality but I was BLOWN AWAY!!! The plants that arrived were healthy and full - definitely well cared for AND well packaged through the mail. I would reorder and recommend.

B
B.S. (New York)
Healthy plants, troublesome packaging

Soil was secured with plastic sealed with hog ties stapled to the pot and was very difficult to remove. I'd suggest using zip ties around the base of the plant. But the plants arrived well protected and very healthy.

G
G. (Wisconsin)
arrived beautifully

packaged well and growing well!

J
J.M. (South Carolina)

'Gone With The Wind' Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus)

V
V.R.

Very healthy and growing already

C
C.W. (Indiana)
Need More Time

I received a wide variety of native plants less than a month ago. All the plants arrived in excellent condition and are still thriving. Unfortunately freezing temperature returned several days after putting all the plants in the ground. Several of the plants were struggling, but I can now see new growth.