Sorghastrum nutans
Back to Previous Page
Tried and True Recommended by 3 Professionals
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: Indian grass
Type: Ornamental grass
Family: Poaceae
Zone: 4 to 9
Native Range: Eastern and central United States
Garden Location: Enterprise Rent-A-Car Flower Borders, Lucy and Stanley Lopata Prairie Garden, Suzanne Stagg Wright Rock Garden
Height: 3 to 5 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: September to February
Bloom Color: Brown
Bloom Description: Light brown with yellow stamens
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Medium
Leaves: Good Fall Color
Other: Winter Interest
Wildlife: Attracts Birds
Tolerates: Dry Soil, Shallow, Rocky Soil, Drought, Air Pollution, Black Walnuts
Uses: Dried Flower, Erosion Control, Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerant of a wide range of soils including heavy clays. Does well in poor, dry, infertile soils. Tends to open up and/or flop in moist, rich soils however. May naturalize by self-seeding in optimum growing conditions. Cut back to the ground in late winter to early spring just before the new growth appears.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Indian grass is a warm season Missouri native perennial grass which typically occurs in prairies, glades and open woods throughout the State. It was one of the dominant grasses of the tallgrass prairie which once covered large parts of the Midwest. Typically grows 3-5' tall (less frequently to 6') and is noted for its upright form and blue-green foliage. It forms upright clumps (to 2-3' tall) of slender, blue-green leaves (to 1/2" wide and 2' long). Foliage turns orange-yellow in fall and usually retains hints of color into the winter. Stiff, vertical flowering stems, topped with narrow, feathery, light brown flower panicles (to 12" long) highlighted with yellow stamens, rise well above the foliage clump in late summer to 5-6' tall. Panicles darken to bronze/chestnut brown in fall as they mature, later fading to gray. Panicles continue to provide some interest well into winter.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Mass or blend into prairies, meadows, wild or naturalized areas. Vertical accent for borders. Also effective on slopes for erosion control.

Back to Previous Page