Prairie Dropseed
Prairie dropseed is a beautiful, native ornamental grass with thin, emerald green leaves. It grows as a mound with graceful leaves arching out from the center of the plant.
In late summer, an airy display of golden brown seedheads rise above the leaves. The leaves turn an attractive orange color in fall. It is very attractive in the fall.
Prairie Dropseed
Prairie dropseed is a beautiful, native ornamental grass with thin, emerald green leaves. It grows as a mound with graceful leaves arching out from the center of the plant.
In late summer, an airy display of golden brown seedheads rise above the leaves. The leaves turn an attractive orange color in fall. It is very attractive in the fall.
Plant details
Botanic Name
Sporobolus heterolepis
Pronunciation
spor-ROB-oh-lus het-er-oh-LEP-is
Mature Height
24 to 30 in.
Mature Spread
18 to 24 in.
Water usage
One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.
Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.
Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.
Flower Color
golden brown seedheads
Bloom time
late summer through fall
Colorado Native
Yes
Natural Habitat
central and northeastern United States
Light Requirements
sun
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 4-9
Elevation Limit
hardy to 7,000 ft.
Performance
Prairie dropseed can be used as companion to perennial flowers, but also looks nice when massed as a group of multiple plants. Put it towards the front of your planted area since it's realtively short.
The only problem we've had at the Xeriscape Garden is that rabbits like to eat the leaves down to the base. So, if you have rabbits that visit your landscape, choose a different ornamental grass.
Maintenance
Cut last year's leaves to ground level in spring.