Sporobolus heterolepis - Prairie dropseed is found growing in glades, prairies, open rocky woodlands, pine savannas, barrens, rock outcrops...
Sporobolus heterolepis, also called as Prairie dropseed, Agrostis heterolepis, Vilfa heterolepis, is a species of the genus Sporobolus. This species was described by Asa Gray in 1848.
IDENTIFY SPOROBOLUS HETEROLEPIS - PRAIRIE DROPSEED
Sporobolus heterolepis is native from Canada to U.S.A. It is found growing in glades, prairies, open rocky woodlands, pine savannas, barrens, rock outcrops, grassy fens, lightly grazed pastures and railroad or highway right-of-ways.
It is a perennial bunchgrass which grow to 2-3 feet tall and wide from a fibrous root mass, forming an arching, fountain-like mound of foliage with a fine texture. The smooth, medium green linear leaves are very narrow and either flat or rolled.. The leaves turns golden with orange hues in fall, fading to light bronze in winter.
Prairie dropseed blooms in late summer from one or more culms that rises above the foliage bearing airy panicles of olive, silvery, golden or tan spikelets. The flowers have pink and brown tints, but are perhaps most noted for their unique fragrance (hints of coriander). Tiny rounded mature seeds drop to the ground from their hulls in autumn giving rise to the descriptive common name.
SPOROBOLUS HETEROLEPIS - PRAIRIE DROPSEED CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light and exposure:
Sporobolus heterolepis needs at least six hours of sun everyday, but prefers full sun. While predominately a species associated with full-sun settings, such as prairies, it tolerates some shade, though the shade appears to be suppressing its flowering abilities, and in too much shade it will flop.
This plant is often planted en masse as a groundcover or as a specimen, several plants can be grown together to create a grassy matrix for hardy perennials or low shrubs. The fact that the leaves do not drop off is an added advantage. For the border, plant 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 in) apart. For masse planting plant at a closer spacing of seven plants per square metre.
Temperature:
Prairie dropseed can grow in USDA zone 3-9, meaning it needs relatively warm temperatures that may not be appropriate in many northern areas. The plant prefres the temperature of above 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit or 10-21 degrees Celsius for the best growth.
Substrate and growing media:
Sporobolus heterolepis is a resilient grass that can grow just about anywhere. That’s why it is so widespread in so many areas. It has a reputation for being slow to establish itself in a site as well as slow growing. It often prefers dry and rocky soils over that of clay but can grow in clay-rich regions, if needed.
Make sure that the soil is well-drained regularly, including enhancing your drainage field, if necessary. You probably don’t have to take many steps because this plant is healthy and diverse in its growing environment. But minor excavation may be needed if your soil is too dense or if the clay density makes draining nearly impossible.
During the first year or so in the garden, take care that plants are not swamped by more rambunctious neighbours. However, once established, the great length of the leaves means that the plants can take up a lot of sideways space and might well smother smaller neighbours.
Watering:
Prairie dropseed have a low-to-moderate needs for water. During most of the growing season, you will probably need to water it no more than once a week or so. Water the ground until it is moist but not soggy - too much water can easily drown the plant. However, when temperatures get into extreme heat levels – such as 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 32 degrees Celsius – you may need to water 2-3 times per week. Regularly check the soil to see if it is dry. Though this plant can withstand drought reasonably well, it does prefer damp soil.
Fertilizer:
Sporobolus heterolepis typically needs no supplemental fertilization and can tolerate nutrient-poor soil. If you decide to use fertilizer, use a slow release, medium-rate fertilizer follow the instructions in the package.
Pruning:
Prairie dropseed needs almost no pruning or maintenance during its active growth season but does need to be carefully maintained in the early spring. During this time, the growth needs to be cut or even burned to make way for the new growths that will take their place. Typically, you start in early spring because this plant will remain active throughout the winter. It can help hold your soil together very well during what can be a very trying time in the winter. Simple pruning or removal of the old growths in the spring helps add new nutrients to the soil, as well.
Pests and diseases:
Sporobolus heterolepis is a disease-free plant, for the most part, and is rarely eaten by insects or other types of pests. Deer may nibble on it occasionally, as may rabbits, though this is rare. Typically, you can avoid this problem by spreading a small amount of deterrent on the leaves, such as pepper, that will be unappealing to both rabbits and deer. This pepper shouldn’t damage the leaves.
Propagation:
Prairie dropseed can be grown from seed, it is slow growing, taking about four years to reach blooming size and so it is often started from plugs or divisions. If growing from seed, sow outdoors in fall or stratify in dry soil for 10 weeks if planting indoors in spring. Plant seed 0.64 cm (1/4 inch) deep in pots. Keep moist but not soggy and very warm (21 °C - 70 °F). When seedlings are 5 cm (2 in.) tall, transplant into the garden spaced 30 cm (1 ft.) apart.
Divisions, taken in spring once growth resumes, can take a long time to establish but clumps rarely require dividing and are very dense and difficult to divide.
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