Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis
Plant Details:
Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Plant Family: Poaceae
Plant Description: This clump forming, warm season, ornamental grass gets its name, Prairie Dropseed, from being found naturally in prairies, glades and other large open areas as well as from dropping small, rounded mature seed heads in the fall. The medium-green foliage is fine, wispy, and hair-like. Summertime brings open and airy flowering panicles that rise above the clumps of foliage on slim stems. The fragrant blossoms come in shades of pink and brown. During fall the long, slender leaves change to a golden yellow with touches of orange and finally fade to a light bronze by wintertime.
Maintenance:
Maintenance Type: Ornamental Grass - Small
Plant Care: Ornamental Grass - Small (showy non-turf grasses that go dormant in winter, under 3' tall): Gather dried seed head stalks in one hand and use hand pruners to cut and remove 2/3 of the total grass height. For warm season grasses (more common), this is best done in late winter to early spring. For cool season grasses apply the same maintenance practices in the late fall, once the plant is dormant.
Plant Attributes:
Mature Size: 2-3' tall and wide
Utah Native: No
Plant Select: No
Pollinator Friendly: Yes
Localscapes: Infill Plant
Foliage Interest: Unknown
Foliage Colors: Green
Bloom Colors: Pink, Brown
Bloom Seasons: Early Summer
Bloom Period: Aug - Oct
Growing Conditions:
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hrs sun)
Irrigation Requirement: 
Low (1/2" every 10-14 days)
Low (1/2" every 10-14 days)
Salt Tolerant: Unknown
Deer Resistant: Yes
Garden Location:
-
Localscapes Path
- Paths and Pollinators
Garden Staff Tips & Insights:
This grass tolerates air pollution.
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Spring -
Summer -
Fall -
Winter
