Sporobolus airoides

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alkali sacaton

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alkali sacaton RHS
alkali sacaton RHS
Grass Like
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A tufted perennial grass to 1.2m high forming mounds of slender, grey-green, arching leaves that turn golden-orange in autumn and fade to light bronze-brown in winter. Airy panicles of tiny pinkish-red flowers are borne above the leaves in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Chalk

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand Chalk
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Sporobolus are a large genus of plants in the grass family which are prairie or savannah plants. They produce a soft cloud of small flower heads, turning to seeds at a later date, the stems of which can grow up to 20 inches in height above a clump of arching leaves. Leaves are bright green during the summer, turning to yellow to orange in autumn and brown in winter.
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in a sunny position

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back to near ground in early to mid-spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free