Are you looking for an easy-care plant that also looks good in winter? Then you are well advised to use grasses such as prairie grass.
The prairie grass (Schizachyrium scoparium) is an undemanding plant that accompanies the garden year with its spectacular play of colours. In Germany, the names beard grass or blue stem grass are also common. The plant is commercially available in many varieties and can provide a varied garden picture. The prairie grass looks particularly attractive near ponds or watercourses.
Origin of Prairie Grass
The original homeland of prairie grass is in the steppes of North America. With its various subspecies, the prairie grass is native to the United States and southern parts of Canada. In North America, the plant is one of the most common grasses. Wedgegrass has also been naturalized in parts of Chile and Pakistan.
Characteristics of Prairie Grass
The prairie grass has an extensive range of colors and can always provide variety in the garden bed. The plants, which grow up to one meter high, sprout relatively late. At first the leaves are a fresh light green. During the summer months they darken and take on a bronze-green hue. In autumn, the prairie grass shines in a warm orange to violet. Yellow-orange predominates during the winter months.
The prairie grass blooms between June and August. However, the small silvery-white flowers are rather inconspicuous compared to the exciting play of colors of the leaves.
An overview of some pretty varieties
The variety of prairie grass can be used for a varied design of the steppe garden. The different, colorful grasses can also be advantageously integrated in the perennial bed.
| Prairie Grass Variety | Features |
|---|---|
| Wild West | • growth height up to 1.5 m • grey-green leaves • silvery flower fronds |
| Cairo | • reddish culms • brown autumn colors |
| Standing Ovation | • upright growing •broad blue leaves |
| The Blues | • blue-grey leaves • height of growth up to one meter |
| Prairie Blues | • blue leaves • orange autumn colors |
| Carousel | • compact growth • colorful autumn colors |
Planting and tending the prairie grass
The right location for the prairie grass
The prairie grass thrives best in a warm, full sun. The plant is an asset to the steppe garden. The bearded grass also comes into its own at the dry and sunny edge of the pond.
The ideal substrate for the prairie grass
No special demands are made on the floor. The prairie grass is tolerant of both alkaline and acidic soils. The substrate should be well drained so that the liquid drains off and there is no waterlogging. The steppe grass needs poor soil.
Tip: A substrate that is too nutrient-rich is not tolerated - the plant begins to "tilt".
Planting prairie grass - step by step
1. Find the location
2. Prepare the substrate
3. Dig the planting hole
4. Insert the plant
5. Close the planting hole
6. Press down the soil well7. Water the plant
Container plants can be planted all year round. Planting is also possible on hot summer days or when the ground is frozen. However, a sufficiently large planting distance should be maintained, as it takes several years before a broad clump develops and the plant reaches its actual dimensions.
The bearded grass is ideal for creating prairie gardens, perennial beds or Mediterranean garden landscapes. Group planting is a good idea. In the bed, the plant can be combined with other representatives of the prairie perennials native to North America. Pretty accents can also be set with lupins or leadwort.
Tip: The indigo lupine also grows slowly and offers attractive contrasts with its almost black seed heads.
Water the prairie grass properly
The robust plants survive longer periods of drought without being damaged. Light irrigation is used during longer periods of drought in summer. It is only poured when the top layer of soil has dried well.
Warning: The prairie grass does not tolerate waterlogging.
Fertilize the prairie grass properly
Hobby gardeners should be careful when fertilizing. A poor substrate offers the best basis for growth.If the plant is given too many nutrients, the prairie grass will die.
If the soil is noticeably poor, a small amount of mature compost can be mixed in when planting. Further fertilization is not necessary.
Cutting the prairie grass?
The prairie grass is not cut back in the fall. The spectacular autumn colors are pleasing to the eye and the bearded grass remains an eye-catcher even in the rather dreary wintry garden. The prairie grass is cut back in spring.
Tip: The dried leaves and inflorescences are also decorative in the floor vase.
Increase the prairie grass
If you want to propagate the prairie grass, you can collect the mature spikes of flowers in autumn. The seeds are stored cool and dry over the winter and sown directly outdoors in spring.
Tip: The seeds can also be left on the plant until they are cut back in spring.
After about three to four years, compact clumps have formed and the plant can also be propagated by division.
Proceed as follows:
1. Dig up the plant completely
2. Remove the substrate from the root
3. Check the root for possible damage
4. Divide the root ball with a sharp spade
5. Separate plants transplant from each other
6. Cultivate plants as usual
Wintering the Prairie Grass
The hardy plants are hardy and do not need shelter during the cold season.