Prairie Cordgrass
The graceful arching foliage of Prairie Cordgrass cuts a fine figure in summer and then turns a bright gold in autumn. Found in moist prairies and wetlands this fast-growing native grass is excellent for stabilizing fresh soil around ponds, or …
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
|---|---|
| Soil Moisture | Moist, Wet |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun |
| Height | 6' - 8' |
| Bloom Color | Green, Cream |
| Bloom Time | Aug, Sep |
| Spacing | 2' |
| Hardiness Zones | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Root Type | Rhizome |
| Benefits | Host Plant, Deer Resistant |
| Seeds per Oz | 9000 |
| Propagation Treatment | Moist Stratification |
| Days to Moist Stratify | 30 days |
| Direct Sowing Time | Fall |
The graceful arching foliage of Prairie Cordgrass cuts a fine figure in summer and then turns a bright gold in autumn. Found in moist prairies and wetlands this fast-growing native grass is excellent for stabilizing fresh soil around ponds, or streambanks in full sun. Install plants two feet on center, and apply a mulch or fabric between plants to prevent erosion during establishment. In two years the area will be a solid mat of Cordgrass that defies erosion.
It prefers wet soil, but Spartina pectinata does tolerate occasional dry conditions. The leaves, up to six feet tall, can reach eight feet when the grass blooms. This wetland grass provides ecosystem services for a variety of birds that eat its seeds, and a dense stand of Spartina offers nesting habitat for other inhabitants.
Prairie Cordgrass is a larval host plant for Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor), and the Long-Streaked Tussock Moth (Leucanopsis longa).
