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Sorghastrum avenaceum

Indian or Wood Grass

Plant photo of: Sorghastrum avenaceum
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Information by: George Hull MSN        Photographer:

 

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.