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Sorghastrum
Easy Care Native Prairie Grass
- Unique Year-Round Color: Unlike standard Indiangrass, 'Golden Sunset' boasts vibrant chartreuse-yellow foliage throughout the summer, turning fiery orange and red tones in the fall. The golden-bronze seed heads add texture and shimmer from late summer through winter.
- Strong & Upright: Selected for its stiffly upright habit, 'Golden Sunset' resists flopping, providing reliable vertical interest in the garden landscape.
- Native & Ecological Value: As a cultivar of a North American native prairie grass, it supports local ecosystems. It provides food and shelter for birds and beneficial insects, including skipper butterfly larvae. It is an excellent choice for naturalistic plantings, meadows, and pollinator gardens.
- Exceptional Adaptability: Thrives in a wide range of conditions! Tolerant of various soil types (clay, loam, sand), as long as drainage is adequate. Once established, it is highly drought-tolerant.
- Low Maintenance Champion: Requires minimal care. No need for fertilizing in average soils, and pests and diseases are rarely an issue. The main task is a simple cut-back once a year. Perfect for both beginner and busy gardeners.
- Versatile Garden Use: Use it as a stunning specimen plant, plant in drifts for a prairie effect, incorporate it into mixed borders for vertical contrast, or use it for erosion control on slopes.
- Four-Season Interest: From its bright summer foliage and striking fall color to its persistent winter seed heads providing structure and wildlife value, 'Golden Sunset' offers beauty in every season.
Quick Facts:
- Botanical Name: Sorghastrum nutans 'Golden Sunset'
- Common Name: Golden Sunset Indiangrass
- Plant Type: Perennial Warm-Season Ornamental Grass
- Hardiness Zones: 3 - 9
- Mature Height: 4 - 6 feet (including plumes)
- Mature Spread: 2 - 3 feet
- Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight per day is essential for best color and upright growth)
- Water Needs: Low to Average. Water regularly during the first growing season. Very drought-tolerant once established.
- Soil Preference: Adaptable to clay, loam, sand. Prefers well-drained soil. Avoid constantly wet or soggy conditions.
- Bloom Time: Late Summer to Fall (Plumes/Seed Heads)
- Foliage Color: Bright Yellow (Summer), Orange/Russet (Fall)
- Attributes: Native cultivar, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Wildlife Value, Fall Color, Winter Interest, Erosion Control.
When to Plant:
- The best time to plant warm-season grasses like Indiangrass is in the spring or early summer, after the danger of frost has passed. This gives the plant ample time to establish its root system before winter.
- Fall planting is possible in warmer zones (Zone 7 and up), but ensure it is done at least 6-8 weeks before the first hard frost.
Where to Plant:
- Sunlight: Choose a location that receives full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sun daily). Less sun will result in weaker growth, less vibrant color, and potential flopping.
- Soil: While adaptable, 'Golden Sunset' performs best in well-drained soil. It tolerates poor soils, including clay, but good drainage is key. Avoid areas where water pools after rain.
How to Plant:
- Spacing: Space plants approximately 24 - 36 inches apart center-to-center, depending on the desired effect (closer for faster fill, wider for specimen planting).
- Planting Hole: Dig a hole that is roughly twice as wide as the container and just as deep.
- Remove from Pot: Gently remove the plant from its nursery pot. If the roots are tightly circled (root-bound), gently tease them apart with your fingers or make a few vertical cuts with a clean knife.
- Position Plant: Place the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface. Planting too deep can harm the crown.
- Backfill: Fill the hole back in with the native soil you removed. Gently firm the soil around the base of the plant to remove air pockets.
- Water Thoroughly: Water deeply immediately after planting to settle the soil around the roots.
- Mulch (Optional but Recommended): Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (shredded bark, compost) around the base of the plant, keeping it slightly away from the plant stems. Mulch helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Watering:
- Establishment (First Season): Water regularly (e.g., once or twice a week depending on heat and rainfall) during the first growing season to encourage deep root growth. Ensure the soil stays consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Mature Plants: Once established (typically after the first year), 'Golden Sunset' is very drought-tolerant. Water deeply only during prolonged periods of drought. Overwatering can lead to weak growth.
Soil & Fertilizing:
- 'Golden Sunset' thrives in average to lean soils and typically does not require fertilization.
- Excessive nitrogen can cause overly lush growth that is prone to flopping.
- If planting in extremely poor soil, incorporating a small amount of compost at planting time is usually sufficient.
Maintenance:
- Annual Cut-Back: This is the primary maintenance task. Cut back the dormant foliage in late winter or early spring (around March or early April, before new growth emerges) to about 4-6 inches above the ground. This allows sunlight to reach the crown and encourages vigorous new growth.
- Winter Interest: Leave the foliage and seed heads standing throughout the fall and winter. They provide visual interest in the dormant landscape and offer shelter and food (seeds) for birds.
- Division: Indiangrass is generally long-lived and does not require frequent division. If clumps become overly large or die out in the center after many years, you can divide them in spring as new growth begins.
Pests & Diseases:
- Sorghastrum nutans 'Golden Sunset' is generally resistant to serious pests and diseases. Occasionally, rust may appear on the foliage, especially in humid conditions, but it rarely requires treatment. Ensure good air circulation by providing adequate spacing.
Enjoy the stunning color and easy-care nature of 'Golden Sunset' Indiangrass in your garden for years to come!