Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus)
Perennial
- Native perennial, perfect for adding dimension and texture to your landscape.
- Great for mass planting.
- A unique alternative to traditional flowering perennials.
- Zones 3-8, sun, 2-3' tall and wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Great for beginners and gardeners seeking to add more native plants to their landscape, prairie dropseed pairs well with a variety of other native plants, making it even easier to incorporate into your garden. Try planting it with coneflowers, milkweed, or black-eyed Susan for a colorful and dimensional display that both you and wildlife will love.
Details
Common name: Prairie Dropseed
Zone: 3 - 8
Sun exposure: Full sun (6 +hours sun)
Height x width: 2-3 tall x wide
Flower color: Pink, Brown
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Early-late summer
Bloom time: Midsummer, early fall
Features: Native, heat tolerant, ground covers, dry soils, drought tolerant, deer resistant, container plants, cold tolerant, rain garden
Uses: Mixed borders, rain garden, mass planting.
How to Grow
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.
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:
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:
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.