Clump forming with very tight growth habit. Porcupine Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition. It stands tall (with an arching form) as a green sentinel in your landscape all summer, then it puts out tiny white blooms, followed by a seed head plumes that offers late-season visual interest. 1: 177. Also known as Japanese Silver Grass, there are many selections now available, all providing a wonderful fall display of showy plumes, and remaining attractive all winter. Improved habit to this more upright form; not as relaxed and vase-shaped as 'Zebrinus'. Poke, poke, poke! Ideal for large landscape gardens when planted beside water features, dry stream beds, rock outcroppings and huge landscape boulders. This is a dense grass that out-competes weeds in the landscape. Holds it’s stiff leaves erect like porcupine quills. Flowers mid-Sept through frost; 200-250 cm (80-100"), Ideal conditions: full sun; moist fertile soil; tolerates ... Schizachyrium scoparium, which is native to all 48 contiguous United States except Nevada and Oregon, and across Canada. Plant Family: Poaceae. The roots will 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. It is a bunchgrass species in the genus Hesperostipa. curtiseta). Even the stalks of zebra grass are flexible and arch towards the ground, as they reach full size. The procedure for growing this grass is different, and so is caring for it. This cool-season grass is found growing on dry soils in prairies or open woods. Needle & Thread Grass (Hesperostipa comata ssp. Starting at $2.50 USD wind and snow, Zone: 5 - 9, possibly colder the tan foliage and spring bulbs. A small group went to Wind River; possibly synonymous with Hukundüka or Hukan-deka (Porcupine Grass Seed Eaters, Wild Wheat Eaters). [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 can also be a long-term component of climax grassland and prairie. These leaves make this ornamental grass stand out anywhere! They also stick to animals, another vector of seed dispersal. Stiff-textured porcupine grass remains upright despite... As low as $12.99 More Info Qty. Order today before they sell out! Porcupine grass or the Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’, is an ornamental grass type. Recommended spacing between plants: 90-150 cm (36-60") Zebra grass may flop over, especially during rains and heavy winds. The seeds are needle-like with sharp tips and long tails. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition. This unique species got its name from the needle-like seeds, which grow with a long fiber attached to one end. Be the first to review this product . When the fruit is mature, the long, sharp awns reduce the palatability of the grass. Porcupine Grass is a cool-season grass, meaning it actively grows during the spring and fall when soil temperatures are cool. Typical habitats of Stipa spartea incluude dry black soil prairies, sand prairies, upland savannas, and pastures. a wide range of soil types; moderately drought tolerant; holds up to Porcupine Grass Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' Plant Details: Plant Type: Grass. 3 vols. Plant database entry for Porcupine Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus') with 19 images, 3 comments, and 26 data details. so much that we like to leave it standing until the new growth starts This cool-season grass is found growing on dry soils in prairies or open woods. This unique foliage bears horizontal golden bands, which some say resemble porcupine quills. grasses). Porcupine is a tall columnar grass that will serve as a strong vertical corner for perennial borders. Reddish-bronze flowers top off this large perennial at up to 9' tall during late summer and fall. [2] It is also found in grasslands of the Rocky Mountains in Western Canada and the Western United States. [2], This grass is common and is a dominant grass in various prairie and grassland ecosystems in the Great Plains. Porcupine Grass, Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' doesn't … show signs of life in the spring, the soil must warm up, and be warm Description: This perennial grass forms low basal leaves and small tufts of leafy culms about 2½â€“3½' tall. More ornamental grasses . Porcupine Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus') is a statement piece with its spikey, upright habit and banded green and gold leaves. Narrow bright green blades have bright creamy yellow colored variegation in horizontal bands. The foliage is green with yellow stripes throughout. slopes, mountainsides of Eastern Asia and west to Africa. It may be a pioneer species or a climax species, occurring in all stages of ecological succession. If that doesn't work, they may charge backwards into the predator. Some quills can get up to a foot (30 centimeters) long, like those on the Africa's crested porcupine, according to National Geographic. Hesperostipa spartea, formerly Stipa spartea, is a species of grass known by the common names porcupine grass, western porcupine grass, short-awn porcupine grass, porcupine needlegrass, and big needlegrass. Can be used as a specimen, massing or screening. As low as $19.77. Compare Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' to our other It is considered to be very attractive because of the golden-colored designs its on leaves. [4], Native Americans such as the Omaha and Pawnee made brushes from this plant by tying the awns together and burning off the sharp seeds at the ends. comata) • Characteristics awns • Very drought tolerant • Widely adapted to sandy and poor soils. It thrives on poor soils and it can invade disturbed habitat such as gopher mounds. 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. to appear, possibly as late as May. Copper colored plumes open in mid-September, turning into silver plumes which persist into the winter. Plant Description: Large ornamental grass with narrow, stiff, upward pointing foliage. was $29.77. why such a difference? Cut back to about 6" from the The Grass 'Porcupine', Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus', has green leaves with cream colored horizontal bands. Porcupine Grass is adaptable to any soil, but prefers a moist, well-drained soil. The leaf blades of porcupine grass are narrower and stiffer than that of zebra grass. Height: 4'-7' in the spring (further info on dividing To the southwest, dominance of the grassland community shifts to needle-and-thread ( Stipa comata ), blue grama ( Bouteloua gracilis ), and western wheatgrass ( Agropyron smithii ). Zebra grass is a favorite among the ornamental grasses and with good reason. 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 is also valuable in the fall when it remains green as other grasses dry out. (find your zone; further info on plant hardiness), Suggested uses: specimen, border, screen, hedge, background *a warm season grass likes to grow in warm weather. 175-200 cm (70-80") in height Zebra grass also has stunning variegated leaves with creamy golden stripes that cut horizontally across the otherwise green blades of grass. Medium-green foliage with horizontal gold-bands. It can genuinely be a miserable experience to hike through a prairie full of Porcupine Grass when it is shedding its seed. All porcupines have a few traits in common. In early fall, more and mor… Similar story in the fall when the roots may not grow enough Porcupine Grass known by the botanical name Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' is an upright clump forming grass with attractive foliage. Porcupine grass is moderately drought-tolerant and grows well in soil warmed to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. *a warm season grass likes to grow in warm weather. (find your zone; further info on plant hardiness), (further info on dividing [1] It is a bunchgrass species in the genus Hesperostipa. We also like the combination of 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. Porcupine Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. Add to Wish List Add to Compare. Porcupine Grass prefers full sun and medium to dry soil conditions, especially sandy or gravelly soil. This hardy grass is deer, pest, and disease resistant and rabbit, pollution, and salt tolerant! Scanned by Omnitek Inc. Usage Requirements. The common name refers to its long needles, which apparently resemble the spines of a porcupine, though I think the needle-like fruit best resembles a six- to seven-inch spear. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. grasses). This grass produces large seeds that are as sharp as porcupine quills, so take care when handling! The roots are known to reach 1.8 metres (5.9 feet) deep into the soil. [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. to establish before the cold and wet of winter, resulting in the demise grasses in this handy chart. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Just like plants, different grasses need different types of treatment. roots to rot. The inflorescence is a panicle of spikelets. Also great for narrow areas near gates or corners. Porcupine Grass: USDA Zone: 5-9: Plant number: 8.270.400. Deschampsia, Hesperostipa spartea, formerly Stipa spartea, is a species of grass known by the common names porcupine grass, western porcupine grass, short-awn porcupine grass, porcupine needlegrass, and big needlegrass. In Alberta it is codominant with rough fescue on the grasslands. plant, massing, by the water, arrangements, When divide: when it shows signs of life in the Pronunciation: Miscanthus (mis-KAN-thus) sinensis (sin-EN-sis). Description: warm season*; clump forming The 'Porcupine' tolerates a wide … Award-winner Porcupine Grass 'Strictus' (Miscanthus sinensis) is a very distinctive ornamental grass with its variegated foliage displaying unusual, horizontal, soft yellow rings along the gracefully arching leaves until it turns to pale brown in the fall. Porcupines use the quills as a defense. Moist Mixed Grassland on loamy soil is dominated by northern wheatgrass (Agropyron dasystachyum) and western porcupine grass (Stipa spartea var. Foliage is green with yellow bands; blade width is 1 cm (3/8"); [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. Close × Share This Page. Partner with: Carex muskingumensis In other areas it may be codominant with little bluestem. Porcupine Grass has a distinctive, neat upright growth habit with green leaves distinctively marked by a horizontal yellow stripe. [2], Hesperostipa spartea is native to the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies of North America. The culms are mostly erect, but they usually lean over to one side after the blooming period because of the heavy weight of the developing spikelets. 'Oehme', Carex flagellifera, Foliage fades to tan after frost. The most obvious trait is the long, sharp quills that cover their bodies. This grass produces large seeds that are as sharp as porcupine quills, so take care when handling! It can reach over a metre in height. Each fruit has a very long, twisted awn, reaching up to 19 centimetres (7.5 inches) in length. Qty: Add to Cart. Porcupine maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’) is a member of the Miscanthus family of graceful arching grasses. Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens, Avena candida) grows to about 3 to 6 … Size. Fits well into small planters in courtyards too. 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. Porcupine Grass. Each specimen will take up about four square feet of real estate when it is mature, so plan ahead when designing with this perennial grass. It is an ornamental upright grass with golden banding on the blades as if it was always in a dappled pool of light. grow only in warm soil. for possibly as long as two weeks. SKU. Green foliage is highlighted by dramatic horizontal golden bands. See all 17 Varieties Miscanthus 'Variegatus' Handsome variegated maiden grass up to 5' … [3] As the grass expands or contracts according to the temperature and moisture conditions, the awns twist or untwist to eventually drill the seeds into the soil – a phenomenon known as geocarpy. Blue Oat Grass. Inula racemosa 'Sonnenspeer', for thatching material for temple roofs and homes. Being stiff, foliage of porcupine grass grows upright, while that of zebra grass arches down. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition. 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. 136228. They make shake them, which makes them rattle, as a warning to potential predators. When to cut back: we enjoy the foliage of Miscanthus This variety has large soft-pink flowers over an upright clump of green leaves, uniquely banded with yellow. Details. crown of the plant. Before it will Planting too early in the spring may cause the of the plant. It is a source This tough plant even thrives in urban and coastal areas! Silvery white plumes rise high above the foliage in fall. 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. [1], This perennial bunchgrass is similar to needle-and-thread grass, but it has longer, wider, paler leaves. Just behind the sharp, needle-like tip, is a collar of long thick hairs that face backward, preventing the seeds from working their way back out of the soil. Before it will show signs of life in the spring, the soil must warm up, and be warm for possibly as long as two weeks. The awns containing several seeds may tangle together and the mass is blown away from the parent plant on the wind. This grass is not ideal for livestock but it is generally palatable, especially in the spring. Native to: Miscanthus sinensis is native to marshes, Blooming late in summer the silvery tasseled tops add winter interest and make great cut flowers. × New and Unread Tree-Mails. Zebra Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with a shapely form and gracefully arching stems. Compare Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' to our other grasses in this handy chart. Availability: In stock. Provided by Kentucky Native Plant Society. Vol. Cooler soil can impair growth or cause rotting. 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. spring, continuing until the new growth is about 18" tall; only [1], Hesperostipa spartea has a bunchgrass foliage mass of 3–6 feet (0.91–1.83 m) in diameter [4] The flower stalks are upright and arching, yellow, in late Spring.[4]. And heavy winds fruit is mature, the long, sharp quills that cover their.! Spartea var a pioneer species or a climax species, occurring in all stages of ecological succession a cool-season is... Actively grows during the spring $ 2.50 USD this is a cool-season grass is common and is dominant. 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Is found growing on dry soils in prairies or open woods take care when handling creamy golden that!