Indian Grass – Simcoe County Master Gardener

Simcoe County Master Gardeners

Grow Natives!

PLANT PROFILE

COMMON NAME: Indian Grass

BINOMIAL: Sorghastrum nutans

Family	Poaceae
Cdn Native Range	Southern Quebec west to Saskatchewan
Natural habitat	fields, tallgrass prairies, open woods, dry slopes, roadsides
Type	perennial grass
Features	attractive blue-green foliage; showy bronze flowerheads; shiny golden brown seed heads and yellow–gold stems in fall; winter interest
Growth habit	tall, clumping form
Mature height	0.9–1.8 m (3–6 ft)
Mature spread	91–121 cm (36–48 inches)
Life span	approximately 15 years in ideal conditions; dies back to crown in winter
Cdn Hardiness Zone	3–7
Growing conditions	full sun, well-drained locations
Soil conditions	dry to moist, well-draining, tolerates a range
Watering needs	water new plants frequently to keep soil moist; minimal once established
Fertilizer needs	none; adapted to poor, infertile soils
Tolerance	varied soils, drought, occasional flooding, black walnut, deer and rabbits
Maintenance rank	low
Maintenance needs	cut back to six inches early spring
Bloom	little yellow flowers hang off stems in a row in August
Fruit	seed heads
Pollinator support	bees; larval host for pepper-and-salt skipper
Environmental support	bird food source and habitat especially for ground-dwelling species like pheasants and northern bobwhite; foliage used for bird nesting and bedding for deer; host to pepper and salt skipper butterfly; grazing for cows, horses, bison, and other animals
Garden Use	accent plant, naturalizing, xeriscaping, rock gardens, restoration projects, erosion control
Risks & Cautions	self-seeds readily; grasshoppers and leaf hoppers feed on foliage; leaf spot, rust; leaf blades flop if planted in rich soil

References: Lorraine Johnson, The New Ontario Naturalized Garden, Whitecap Books, 2005; Ontario Native Plants, onplants.ca; Johnson’s Nursery, kb.jniplants.com