Sorghastrum avenaceum
Indian or Wood Grass
Description
Large clumping grass can reach about 6' tall & wide. Native across much of North America,Quebec west to Dakotas, south to Arizona, Florida, & Mexico. Striking accent with green to blue-green foliage that will color to yellow-orange in the fall. Flower panicles late summer to early fall are copper-colored. Extremely tolerant of cold, widely adaptable. Provides erosion control, great dried flowers and good for livestock. Best in full sun. Drought tolerant when established.
Plant Type
Grass
Height Range
3-6'
Flower Color
Yellow
Flower Season
Summer
Leaf Color
Green, Blue Green
Bark Color
n/a
Fruit Color
n/a
Fruit Season
n/a
Sun
Full
Water
Very Low, Low, Extra in Summer
Growth Rate
Moderate
Soil Type
Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular
Soil Condition
Average, Poor, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral, Basic
Adverse Factors
n/a
Design Styles
Meadow, Wild Garden, Woodland
Accenting Features
Showy Flowers, Silhouette
Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
Location Uses
Background, Foundation, Parking Strip, Parking Lot, Swimming Pool, With Rocks
Special Uses
Cut Flowers, Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Naturalizing
Attracts Wildlife
n/a
Water Saving Tip:
Consider replacing some lawn areas with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs.
Good candidates for removal are portions of large lawns, areas where no one uses the grass, patches that don't grow well, or spaces too small to water without overspray.