Ornamental Grasses – Prairie Dropseed

Botanical name: sporobolus heterolepis

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: about 3 ft in height and width

Bloom time: summer, fall

Hardy zone: zones 3-9

Flower color: yellow/orange/brown

Foliage color: green/blue

Growth rate: grows less than 1 ft per year

Pruning instructions: prune to maintain desired shape and size in the spring and again in the winter

Propagation methods: propagate by dividing and replanting in the spring and fall

Landscape use: borders, fall color

Light needs: at least 6 hours of sun per day

Special features: attracts birds, fragrant blooms, suppresses weeds

Watering instructions: water when the first several inches of soil have dried

Fertilizing instructions : use a slow release all purpose plant food once a year in the spring

Best time to plant: spring, summer

Best type of soil: loam, sand, clay

Companion plants: coneflower, salvia

Toxicity level: non-toxic for humans and pets

Invasive species: not invasive