Tall Dropseed

Sporobolus aspera (Native)

Tall Dropseed is a native, warm-season, perennial bunch grass. It is drought-resistant and commonly found throughout the Midwest prairies. Seed heads are produced in fall.

	Easy-to-grow native grass
	Drought-resistant

Height 24-48 Inches

Spread 36-60 Inches

Growing & Maintenance Tips A seeding rate of 1.5 pounds per acre, or 40 pure live seeds (PLS) per 30-inch row foot, is sufficient for seed production. Plant seed 1/4 deep in a firm relatively weed free seedbed. The best way to control unwanted weed invasion is to mow above Tall Dropseed's plant height.

Interesting Notes Dropseed grasses are an important source of food to some granivorous songbirds, particularly during the winter. Species include the Slate-Colored Junco, Lapland Longspur, Smith Longspur, Field Sparrow, White-Crowned Sparrow, and others. Some upland gamebirds probably eat the seeds as well. The Prairie Vole eats both the seeds and foliage of Tall Dropseed. Bison and cattle also graze on the foliage of this and other dropseed grasses, particularly when it is immature.

USDA Hardiness Zone 2 - 9

Characteristics & Attributes

Attracts Wildlife Upland Birds Game Mammals Songbirds	Attributes Mass Planting Native Drought Tolerant Naturalizing	Exposure Sun	Other Characteristics Prairie Restoration Cattle Forage Easy-to-establish
Soil Moisture Preference Dry Average