The Plant Guide

Browse the Full Plant Guide

Wright’s dropseed

Sporobolus wrightii

spoor-OB-oh-lus RITE-ee-eye

Largely untried in the northern states, Wright’s dropseed is a great new grass that is becoming a substitute in southern gardens for unwieldy pampas grass ( Cortaderia selloana ). Heat and drought tolerant, its gray-green foliage sports airy clouds of flowers atop tall stems in summer. This grass is good as a single specimen or in a group as a showy backdrop.

Noteworthy CharacteristicsThis tall grass has a very tough constitution.

CareProvide full sun to light shade. It tolerates a wide variety of soils.

PropagationDivide clumps, or sow seed in situ, in spring or fall.

  • Genus : Sporobolus
  • Plant Width : 3 to 6 feet
  • Zones : 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
  • Plant Height : 6 to 10 feet
  • Moisture : Adaptable
  • Bloom Time : Early Summer, Late Summer, Summer
  • Light : Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Plant Type : Grasses
  • Maintenance : Low
  • Characteristics : Showy Foliage
  • Plant Seasonal Interest : Summer Interest

Plant Characteristics are only available to Fine Gardening members

Sign up for a free trial and get instant access to our complete plant guide as well as our entire collection of articles and videos.

Start Free Trial

Related Plants

Related Articles

More From the Plant Guide

Winter Interest

Partial Shade

Browse the Full Plant Guide