ALKALI SACATON GRASS
Sporobolus airoides
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Grass Family
(Poaceae) |
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One of the best native desert grasses for use as a specimen plant or in a massed planting, alkali sacaton grass is a robust bunch grass that flowers in response to summer rains. It is often abundant on road shoulders and in borrow pits where it can receive extra runoff, but in comparison to traditional turfgrass, it really does not need much water to thrive. Alkali sacaton grass provides year-round structure in the landscape. It is a beautiful sight in full flower, when the thousands of tiny seed heads look like silver-pink or golden mist above the foliage. It remains attractive for many weeks, well into the fall. This plant is not yet common in the nursery trade, but its close relative giant sacaton grass (Sporobolus wrightii) is quite common in southwestern gardens. Our plant is slightly smaller but every bit as handsome. It combines well with desert shrubs like winterfat and also with taller desert perennials like prince's plume. These plants are all quite salt tolerant and make a good combination for a roadside area that receives de-icing salts in the winter.
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 Alkali Sacaton Grass habit |
 Alkali Sacaton Grass in the wild |
 Alkali Sacaton Grass in a garden |
 Alkali Sacaton Grass, Heritage garden |
 Alkali Sacaton Grass in another garden |
Other names: Alkali Sacaton, Zacaton
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