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Try This Native Alternative to Mexican Feather Grass
Alkali sacaton is a beautiful western U.S. bunchgrass for Southwestern gardeners with even the most difficult clay or alkaline soil
This plant’s common name may sound uninteresting, but don’t let that fool you. Alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) is a lovely bunchgrass that blooms in warm weather, spring through fall, and adds shimmering movement and airy lightness to water-wise gardens in the Southwest.
In afternoon light, young seed heads cast a delicate pink hue, which fades to gold as they mature. Tolerant of a wide range of soils, including those with an unusually high pH (alkaline) and heavy clay, this grass is a wonderful alternative to more invasive, nonnative grasses such as Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima).
In afternoon light, young seed heads cast a delicate pink hue, which fades to gold as they mature. Tolerant of a wide range of soils, including those with an unusually high pH (alkaline) and heavy clay, this grass is a wonderful alternative to more invasive, nonnative grasses such as Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima).
The young seed heads have a rosy-pink glow.
Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates a variety of soil types, including heavy clay and those with a more alkaline (higher) pH; birds feed on the seed
Seasonal interest: Lovely seed stalks emerge in spring and last through early fall.
When to plant: Late October to February in Southern California and areas with a similar climate, to utilize winter rains and cooler temperatures during the plant’s establishment period
Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates a variety of soil types, including heavy clay and those with a more alkaline (higher) pH; birds feed on the seed
Seasonal interest: Lovely seed stalks emerge in spring and last through early fall.
When to plant: Late October to February in Southern California and areas with a similar climate, to utilize winter rains and cooler temperatures during the plant’s establishment period
Early-fall seed heads fade to gold and then to a hay color before disintegrating.
Distinguishing traits. Airy seed stalks that emerge in spring have a rose-pink hue when young and can reach up to 5 feet tall. They turn to a golden color as they mature. Near the end of fall, the seed stalks shatter and disappear, though the seeds rarely germinate in garden settings. You may notice that birds enjoy munching on the seeds.
How to use it. This grass looks wonderful when planted in a massing. Utilize native shrubs with contrasting foliage and color around it for optimal effect. For California gardeners, this could be toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) or manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) shrubs, with their evergreen leaves. Alkali sacaton’s deep roots excel at stabilizing soils on slopes and banks. The plant can also be used in restoration settings.
Distinguishing traits. Airy seed stalks that emerge in spring have a rose-pink hue when young and can reach up to 5 feet tall. They turn to a golden color as they mature. Near the end of fall, the seed stalks shatter and disappear, though the seeds rarely germinate in garden settings. You may notice that birds enjoy munching on the seeds.
How to use it. This grass looks wonderful when planted in a massing. Utilize native shrubs with contrasting foliage and color around it for optimal effect. For California gardeners, this could be toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) or manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) shrubs, with their evergreen leaves. Alkali sacaton’s deep roots excel at stabilizing soils on slopes and banks. The plant can also be used in restoration settings.
A massing of alkali sacaton
Planting notes. Alkali sacaton can be started from seed or a 1-gallon container plant. It can be difficult to find but is worth looking for. Check with your local native-plant nursery for availability or look for seeds online.
Minimal maintenance is required; however, every two years or so this bunchgrass can be rejuvenated by being mowed down to 3 or 4 inches in late fall.
Gardeners on the coast may notice that this bunchgrass needs little to no supplemental irrigation in the summer. It will require some supplemental water in the summer in hotter locations further inland to keep it looking good.
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Grow a Beautiful Garden in Alkaline Soil
Gardening Solutions for Heavy Clay Soils
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Planting notes. Alkali sacaton can be started from seed or a 1-gallon container plant. It can be difficult to find but is worth looking for. Check with your local native-plant nursery for availability or look for seeds online.
Minimal maintenance is required; however, every two years or so this bunchgrass can be rejuvenated by being mowed down to 3 or 4 inches in late fall.
Gardeners on the coast may notice that this bunchgrass needs little to no supplemental irrigation in the summer. It will require some supplemental water in the summer in hotter locations further inland to keep it looking good.
More
Grow a Beautiful Garden in Alkaline Soil
Gardening Solutions for Heavy Clay Soils
Browse more plants native to your region
Botanical name: Sporobolus airoides
Common name: Alkali sacaton
Origin: Native to most of the western United States and Mexico, including many parts of California and eastern Washington
Where it will grow: May tolerate temperatures down to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 5 and higher; find your zone)
Typical plant communities: Coastal scrub, deserts, seasonally moist alkaline flats
Water requirement: Regular watering during establishment (first year), then drought-tolerant with minimal supplemental water required
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 1 foot to 3 feet tall and wide