Tara Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis 'Tara'
Plant Details:
Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Plant Family: Poaceae
Plant Description: An ornamental grass valued for its upright vase shape and smaller stature compared to others within the species. Tara features finely textured foliage that fades to a warm orange red in the fall. Flowers are fragrant with hints of coriander. Seed heads tower above the foliage, and the seeds are attractive to birds and do not freely spread. This grass is ideal for rock gardens, foreground plantings and other areas that would be too overwhelmed with a larger ornamental grass.
Maintenance:
Maintenance Type: Ornamental Grass - Small
Plant Care: Ornamental Grass - Small (showy non-turf grasses that go dormant in winter, under 3' tall): Gather dried seed head stalks in one hand and use hand pruners to cut and remove 2/3 of the total grass height. For warm season grasses (more common), this is best done in late winter to early spring. For cool season grasses apply the same maintenance practices in the late fall, once the plant is dormant.
Plant Attributes:
Mature Size: 2-3' tall and wide
Utah Native: No
Plant Select: Unknown
Pollinator Friendly: Yes
Localscapes: Infill Plant, Foundation Plant
Foliage Interest: Unknown
Foliage Colors: Green
Bloom Colors: Pink, Brown
Bloom Seasons: Late Summer
Bloom Period: Aug - Oct
Growing Conditions:
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hrs sun)
Irrigation Requirement: 
Low (1/2" every 10-14 days)
Low (1/2" every 10-14 days)
Salt Tolerant: Unknown
Deer Tolerant: Yes
Garden Location:
-
Localscapes Path
- Park Strip Hill
- Rock Wall
Garden Staff Tips & Insights:
This grass tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including heavy clay soil. In addition, it is good for erosion control.
-
Spring -
Summer -
Fall -
Winter
