poverty oatgrass
Danthonia spicata
- Habit
- Grass/grass-like
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Green
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Poverty oatgrass (Danthonia spicata) is a grass for woodland gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and dry soil. It forms wiry clumps with tufts of curly leaves at the base, and the small, delicate flower heads sit atop stems that reach up to 36 inches tall. It blooms in late spring and early to mid summer, and butterflies visit it. It does not persist in fertile soil, so skip the rich amendments.
Pairs well with Appalachian sedge, Skyblue aster, New York fern, and Woodland sunflower.
Native range
AK, AL, AR, CO, and 52 more places. See all 56
AK, AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY; AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK, and YT.