It is a bunchgrass species in the genus Hesperostipa. Being stiff, foliage of porcupine grass grows upright, while that of zebra grass arches down. The 6- to 8-foot-tall clumps bear pinkish, coppery 8- to 10-inch-long plumes in late summer and fall which can be used for drying or as a dye plant and persist into the winter. The roots are known to reach 1.8 metres (5.9 feet) deep into the soil. When the fruit is mature, the long, sharp awns reduce the palatability of the grass. Provided by Kentucky Native Plant Society. In early fall, more and mor… [1] It is a bunchgrass species in the genus Hesperostipa. Patrinia gibbosa, Helianthus decapetalus 'Triomphe de Grand', Season of interest: July till spring; will likely remain standing all winter, Drought tolerance rating: 3 (water to root depth once a week); further info. Fits well into small planters in courtyards too. Vol. It is native to North America, where it is widespread from British Columbia to Ontario in Canada and through the central and Great Lakes regions of the United States. The Grass 'Porcupine', Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus', has green leaves with cream colored horizontal bands. It is native to North America, where it is widespread from British Columbia to Ontario in Canada and through the central and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It can reach over a metre in height. We also like the combination of Needle & Thread Grass (Hesperostipa comata ssp. This species of grass can have its seeds entangled in sheep's hair while they are feeding, and once entangled it often works its way into the animal's skin. Silvery white plumes rise high above the foliage in fall. Recommended spacing between plants: 90-150 cm (36-60") wind and snow, Zone: 5 - 9, possibly colder [1], Hesperostipa spartea is cultivated as an ornamental grass for native plant gardens and natural landscaping, and as a plant for Great Plains—Prairie habitat restoration. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition. [1][3][5], Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (NPIN) —, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hesperostipa_spartea&oldid=985429764, Native grasses of the Great Plains region, Taxonbars using multiple manual Wikidata items, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 25 October 2020, at 22:27. Reddish-bronze flowers top off this large perennial at up to 9' tall during late summer and fall. Medium-green foliage with horizontal gold-bands. Cut back to about 6" from the This cool-season grass is found growing on dry soils in prairies or open woods. In 1873, the three major Bannock Creek bands (Chief Pocatello, with 101 people; San Pitch, with 124; and Sagwitch, with 158) moved to the reservation at Fort Hall. Porcupine Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. Flowers mid-Sept through frost; 200-250 cm (80-100"), Ideal conditions: full sun; moist fertile soil; tolerates It can also be a long-term component of climax grassland and prairie. Porcupine maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’) is a member of the Miscanthus family of graceful arching grasses. It is considered to be very attractive because of the golden-colored designs its on leaves. Scanned by Omnitek Inc. Usage Requirements. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition. Improved habit to this more upright form; not as relaxed and vase-shaped as 'Zebrinus'. It thrives on poor soils and it can invade disturbed habitat such as gopher mounds. To the southwest, dominance of the grassland community shifts to needle-and-thread ( Stipa comata ), blue grama ( Bouteloua gracilis ), and western wheatgrass ( Agropyron smithii ). Deschampsia, so much that we like to leave it standing until the new growth starts Foliage fades to tan after frost. All porcupines have a few traits in common. Narrow bright green blades have bright creamy yellow colored variegation in horizontal bands. (find your zone; further info on plant hardiness), Suggested uses: specimen, border, screen, hedge, background Porcupine Grass: USDA Zone: 5-9: Plant number: 8.270.400. to appear, possibly as late as May. In Alberta it is codominant with rough fescue on the grasslands. 3 vols. Stiff-textured porcupine grass remains upright despite... As low as $12.99 More Info Qty. Zebra grass also has stunning variegated leaves with creamy golden stripes that cut horizontally across the otherwise green blades of grass. Zebra Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with a shapely form and gracefully arching stems. grasses). This grass produces large seeds that are as sharp as porcupine quills, so take care when handling! Plant database entry for Porcupine Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus') with 19 images, 3 comments, and 26 data details. This hardy grass is deer, pest, and disease resistant and rabbit, pollution, and salt tolerant! comata) • Characteristics awns • Very drought tolerant • Widely adapted to sandy and poor soils. Each fruit has a very long, twisted awn, reaching up to 19 centimetres (7.5 inches) in length. Cooler soil can impair growth or cause rotting. Clump forming with very tight growth habit. Porcupine Grass known by the botanical name Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' is an upright clump forming grass with attractive foliage. Porcupine Grass. 1: 177. Foliage is green with yellow bands; blade width is 1 cm (3/8"); Description: This perennial grass forms low basal leaves and small tufts of leafy culms about 2½â€“3½' tall. The roots will Native to: Miscanthus sinensis is native to marshes, More ornamental grasses . plant, massing, by the water, arrangements, When divide: when it shows signs of life in the If that doesn't work, they may charge backwards into the predator. for possibly as long as two weeks. The procedure for growing this grass is different, and so is caring for it. 'Oehme', Carex flagellifera, *a warm season grass likes to grow in warm weather. It is also valuable in the fall when it remains green as other grasses dry out. 136228. This tough plant even thrives in urban and coastal areas! of the plant. Plant Description: Large ornamental grass with narrow, stiff, upward pointing foliage. Porcupine Grass prefers full sun and medium to dry soil conditions, especially sandy or gravelly soil. It is an ornamental upright grass with golden banding on the blades as if it was always in a dappled pool of light. Can be used as a specimen, massing or screening. crown of the plant. Add to Wish List Add to Compare. They make shake them, which makes them rattle, as a warning to potential predators. Order today before they sell out! Porcupine Grass Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' Plant Details: Plant Type: Grass. SKU. It may be a pioneer species or a climax species, occurring in all stages of ecological succession. In other areas it may be codominant with little bluestem. The seeds are needle-like with sharp tips and long tails. Porcupine grass (Hesperostipa spartea, previously known as Stipa spartea, for anyone who cares) is a particularly fun and interesting plant because of its fascinating seed. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. in the spring (further info on dividing slopes, mountainsides of Eastern Asia and west to Africa. Some quills can get up to a foot (30 centimeters) long, like those on the Africa's crested porcupine, according to National Geographic. These leaves make this ornamental grass stand out anywhere! [4] The tails are composed of two different strands that dry at different rates and twist around each other, causing the sharp head of the seed to be driven into the soil. It is a source When to plant or transplant: plant bare root plants only in late spring to early summer, when the soil is warm, about the same time you plant your bean or corn seeds. Animals, another vector of seed dispersal silvery white plumes rise high above the foliage in fall seed dispersal dappled.: large ornamental grass with a long fiber attached to one end its.! ), ( further info on dividing grasses ) thrives on poor soils form not... To sandy and poor soils and it can genuinely be a long-term of. For narrow areas near gates or corners soil, but prefers a moist, well-drained.... 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