This is a high-performance plant for "tough" areas. Its vigorous, spreading root system makes it an unmatched choice for controlling erosion on steep banks or stabilizing soil along shorelines and drainage ditches. It is also a good choice for combatting invasive Reed Canary Grass by a water’s edge. This native grass is known for its long, arching blades that gracefully weep toward the ground, shimmering with a distinct golden hue in the autumn.
Sun Exposure Full Sun (preferred) - Partial Shade
Water Needs Moderate to High; thrives in wet to moist conditions.
Soil Type Adaptable; prefers muck, clay, wet loam or sand.
Mature Height 6 – 8 feet
Deer Resistance High
Bloom Time July – September
Plant Spacing 2 – 3 feet (Allow plenty of room to spread).
Natural Erosion Control: Its deep, rhizomatous roots are excellent for stabilizing shifting soil or eroding banks around ponds or streambanks in full sun.
Habitat: wet prairies, prairie swales, marshes and swaps.
Color: The foliage transitions from green to bright gold as the temperatures drop
Crucial Cover and nesting habitat: The dense, tall thickets provide essential nesting sites and thermal cover for marsh birds, waterfowl, and small mammals.
Insect and moths: insects and the larvae of several moths are specialist feeders of Cord Grass. Species include the Four-lined Borer Moth, Torticid Moth and Many-Lined Cordgrass moth.
Food source: Seed heads and rootstocks are eaten by Black Ducks, Mallards, Canada Geese and Muskrats.
Pro Tip: Prairie Cord Grass is a vigorous spreader. While it is perfect for large areas or restoration projects, it may be too assertive for a small, tidy perennial border. For best results, plant it in areas where it has plenty of room to roam or where its root system can be utilized for soil stabilization.
A plant steeped in history and cherished for its scent, Sweet Grass is one of the most beloved native grasses in North America. Its name comes from the sweet, vanilla-like fragrance produced by the coumarin in its leaves, which becomes especially potent when the grass is dried or crushed. Many North American indigenous cultures burn Sweet Grass in ceremonies to invite the presence of good spirits.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Needs High; prefers consistently moist to wet soil.
Soil Type rich Muck, moist Clay, Loam or Sandy soils; thrives near water sources.
Mature Height 1 – 2 feet
Deer Resistance High
Bloom Time May – July
Plant Spacing 1 – 2 feet (Spreads to fill gaps).
Signature Scent: Unlike most grasses, Sweet Grass produces a sweet aroma when rubbing the leaves.
Wet Ground Solution: It is a perfect choice for the edges of ponds, low-lying areas of the yard, or rain gardens.
Aggressive spreader: Can be difficult to eliminate if it spreads to unwanted areas. Spreads by rhizomes. Pick a planting site with this in mind.
Early Season Growth: As a cool-season grass, it provides early green-up and cover for wildlife emerging in the spring.
Habitat: While wind-pollinated, the dense mats provide essential shelter for ground-nesting beneficial insects.
Pro Tip: To harvest for scent, wait until the blades are long and vibrant in mid-summer. Cut the grass, let it wilt slightly, and then braid it while it is still flexible. As it dries, the braid will hold its sweet, vanilla-like fragrance for months!
Switchgrass is celebrated for its sturdy upright habit, seasonal color, and incredible ability to thrive in almost any environment—from dry uplands to damp shoreline edges.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Part Shade
Water Needs Adaptable; Low to High
Soil Type Adaptable; thrives in Clay, Loam, Sand, or Muck
Mature Height 4 - 5 feet
Deer Resistance High
Bloom Time July – September
Plant Spacing 2 – 4 feet
Unlike many plants that flop over in the rain or snow, Switchgrass stays remarkably upright. Its stiff, columnar stems provide a strong vertical element in the garden through all four seasons providing winter cover for land birds and small mammals.
Color: In late summer to fall, the plant is topped with airy, purple cloud-like finely textured flower panicles. The foliage typically starts as a medium green and in autumn, the plant transforms into a golden-yellow, eventually fading to a tan.
Resilience: Switchgrass is famous for its deep roots. It is exceptionally drought-tolerant once established, yet it is one of the few native grasses that can also handle "wet feet" and occasional flooding.
Prolific self-seeder: Use with caution in very small landscapes.
Winter Cover: Because it stays standing during heavy snow, it provides essential cover and protection for ground-nesting birds, rabbits, and beneficial insects.
Songbirds: The abundant, tiny seeds produced in the airy panicles are a favorite winter food source for sparrows, juncos, and goldfinches.
Pollinator Support: It serves as a larval host for several species of Skipper butterflies.
Pro-Tip: Resist the urge to cut your Switchgrass back in late fall or early winter. Switchgrass provides is a nesting site for bees and cover for birds. Wait until late March or early April to cut the old stems back. You want to cut them down to about 4–6 inches from the ground just before the new green shoots start to emerge from the base.