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Tara Dropseed

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Tara Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis ‘Tara’)Native to the south and west, this fine-textured grass features airy plumes of fine flowers and seed heads floating over the grassy foliage all season long; this dwarf cultivar is very adaptable, and ideal as an accent in the urban landscape

Characteristics

Average Landscape Height:
12 inches (24 inches with the flowers)
Average Landscape Width:
24 inches
Growth Rate:
medium
Genus:
Sporobolus
Species:
heterolepis
Cultivar:
Tara
Flower Color:
copper
Flower Period:
from mid summer to early fall
Summer Foliage Color:
gray green
Fall Color:
orange
Minimum Light:
partial shade
Maximum Light:
full sun
Minimum Moisture:
dry
Maximum Moisture:
moist
Plant Form:
vase-shaped
Canopy:
closed
Pruning:
spring cleanup
Pollution Tolerance:
high
Other Species Names:
Dwarf Dropseed
Branching:
herbaceous
Density:
open
Spacing:
18 inches
Flower Bicolor:
pink

Ornamental Features

Tara Dropseed features delicate plumes of coppery-bronze flowers with pink overtones rising above the foliage from mid summer to early fall. The tan seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from early to late fall. Its grassy leaves are grayish green in color. As an added bonus, the foliage turns gorgeous shades of orange and red in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Tara Dropseed is an open herbaceous perennial grass with an indistinguished habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

Planting & Growing

Tara Dropseed will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity extending to 24 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 18 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species.

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