Prairie Dropseed

Plant in spring or fall in well-drained to dry, average soil, spacing 18–24 inches apart. Prairie dropseed is a fine-textured native grass that forms an elegant, arching mound of hair-fine foliage with a fragrant coriander-like scent. It adapts to poor, dry, and lean soils — avoid rich or wet conditions. No soil amendment needed. Water regularly through the first season to establish.

Cut back to 4–6 inches in late winter before new growth begins. Prairie dropseed is slow to establish but very long lived once settled — give it two to three years before expecting its best performance. The arching, hair-fine foliage, fragrant fall seed heads, and orange fall color make it one of the most ornamental native grasses. No fertilizing is needed. Outstanding for naturalistic and prairie-style plantings.