composite dropseed
Sporobolus compositus
USDA zones3 to 9
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterHandles dry or moist soil
Sizeup to 5 feet tall
- Habit
- Grass/grass-like
- Bloom season
- Summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Yellow
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
Garden uses
Notes
Composite dropseed (Sporobolus compositus) is a grass for meadow and woodland gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun and dry to moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. It forms small tufts of green leaves and grows up to 60 inches tall. Yellow blooms appear in late summer and again in early to late autumn. The foliage turns purple in fall and then fades to tan.
Pairs well with Canada wild rye, White phlox, and Pussytoes.
Native range
AL, AR, AZ, CO, and 39 more places. See all 43
AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, and WY; NB.