Prairie Cord Grass

Scientific name

Spartina pectinata

Description

Prairie Cord Grass is a perennial, ornamental grass species that typically grows about 1.5 m in height. This plant may also be known by the common names Slough Grass or Ripgut. The leaves are glossy, dark green coloured, have sharp edges, change yellow in the fall, and appear in basal clumps. Flowers are straw coloured, arranged in comb-like clusters, appear on tall flower stems above the leaves, and bloom between July and August. Prairie Cord Grass is easy to grow and is low maintenance. This plant spreads well and can form small colonies. The roots are useful for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines. The seeds are also beneficial to wildlife species, like birds and small mammals.

Planting conditions

Prairie Cord Grass grows best in moist to wet conditions with full or partial sun exposure. It grows well in a variety of soil types, including loam, sand, clay, and rock. It is tolerant of periodically flooded areas, drought, and steep slopes. This grass can be naturally found in prairies, roadsides, around marshes or swamps, and along river or lake shorelines.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 1.5m
  • Max 2m
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Wet
  • Drought Tolerant
  • Flood Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Clay
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Basic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
• Eco Zone:
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
  • 7a
• Height:
  • 1.5 m
• Spread:
  • 2 m