Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans)

This month at Southport Beach preserve I was struck by the beautiful, soft golden-bronze color grass that was hinting at the autumn colors to come. As the seaside goldenrod and New England Aster are getting ready to bloom, this Indiangrass brings a natural drama to the autumn landscape. One of the earliest warm season grasses to set seed, this prairie tallgrass forms upright clumps with blue-green summer foliage that turns gold in the fall. Tolerant of a wide range of soils including heavy clays, Indiangrass is easily grown in dry to medium well-drained soils, and needs full sun to look its best. 

Drought resistant, Sorghastrum nutans creates a supportive environment for wildlife, including songbirds and gamebirds. It is a tall (5-7’) deer resistant native that seeds aggressively, so it is a fantastic foil for the invasive mugwort we are all dealing within our meadows and is a good companion grass for a wide range of prairie flowers. Indiangrass is a desirable component in most eastern North American grasslands.

Light: full sun 
Soil: dry, medium, or wet