Sorgastrum nutans
Yellow Indiangrass is a warm season bunchgrass with blue-green stems native to much of the US. It was once abundant in the prairies of central North America, and it is one of the “Big Four” grass species, along with Big Bluestem, Switchgrass and Little Bluestem of those grasslands. The flowering parts appear golden, yielding to a large, soft golden-brown seed head and showy deep orange to purple autumn foliage. It appears to be well adapted to various harsh conditions including occasional flooding, drought, and fire. Deer tolerant. This beauty serves well as an accept plant but should have some neighbors to prevent tall fall foliage from flopping over. Provides nesting material and food for birds and mammals, larval host to the pepper-and-salt skipper butterfly.
Zone: 3-9 (Map)
Habitat: Tolerant of a range of soil including drought and flooding. Full sun.
Growth: 3 ft wide, 3-8 ft tall at maturity.
Indiangrass is one of the “Big Four” prairie grass species and is well adapted to harsh conditions, including deer browse.
Indiangrass is one of the “Big Four” prairie grass species and is well adapted to harsh conditions, including deer browse.
Sorgastrum nutans
Yellow Indiangrass is a warm season bunchgrass with blue-green stems native to much of the US. It was once abundant in the prairies of central North America, and it is one of the “Big Four” grass species, along with Big Bluestem, Switchgrass and Little Bluestem of those grasslands. The flowering parts appear golden, yielding to a large, soft golden-brown seed head and showy deep orange to purple autumn foliage. It appears to be well adapted to various harsh conditions including occasional flooding, drought, and fire. Deer tolerant. This beauty serves well as an accept plant but should have some neighbors to prevent tall fall foliage from flopping over. Provides nesting material and food for birds and mammals, larval host to the pepper-and-salt skipper butterfly.
Zone: 3-9 (Map)
Habitat: Tolerant of a range of soil including drought and flooding. Full sun.
Growth: 3 ft wide, 3-8 ft tall at maturity.
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