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    • Sorghastrum

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    Sorghastrum nutans 'Golden Sunset', also known as Indian Grass 'Golden Sunset'

    What Makes 'Golden Sunset' So Special?

    'Golden Sunset' distinguishes itself from other Sorghastrum nutans cultivars (and other ornamental grasses) with a combination of desirable traits:

    • Golden Seed Heads: The most striking feature is their large, fluffy, golden-yellow seed heads that appear in late summer and persist into fall. These plumes have a beautiful, airy quality and catch the light spectacularly.
    • Blue-Green Foliage: The foliage is a lovely blue-green color during the growing season, providing a cool-toned contrast to the warm seed heads.
    • Upright Habit: It has a strong, upright growth habit, making it a good vertical element in the landscape. It is less prone to flopping than some other tall grasses.
    • Fall Color: The foliage often takes on reddish-bronze hues in the fall, adding another season of interest.
    • Height: Can grow up to 8 feet tall.

    Description and Details:

    • Appearance: A tall, warm-season, clump-forming ornamental grass.
    • Flowers/Seed Heads: Large, airy panicles (branched flower clusters) that are golden-yellow when they first emerge and mature to a tan or bronze color. The seed heads are very showy and persist well into winter.
    • Foliage: Linear, blue-green leaves that are typically 1/2 inch wide and can be quite long. The foliage often turns reddish-bronze in the fall.
    • Size: Typically grows 5-7 feet tall (including the seed heads) and 2-3 feet wide. The height can vary depending on growing conditions.
    • Growth Habit: Upright, clumping. It does not spread aggressively by rhizomes.
    • Blooming Time: Late summer to early fall (typically August-September).

    Native Habitat:

    Sorghastrum nutans (the species, Indian Grass) is native to prairies and open woodlands across a large portion of North America, from Canada down to Mexico, and east of the Rocky Mountains. 'Golden Sunset' is a cultivated variety selected for its specific traits. This native habitat informs its preference for full sun and well-drained soil, and its tolerance for drought and a wide range of conditions.

    Landscaping Design Tips:

    • Back of the Border: Its height makes it an excellent choice for the back of a perennial border, providing a backdrop for shorter plants.
    • Focal Point: Can be used as a striking focal point in the landscape, especially when planted in groups.
    • Mass Plantings: Creates a dramatic effect when planted in masses, especially in prairie-style gardens or meadows.
    • Privacy Screen: Can be used to create a seasonal privacy screen, although it is not dense enough to provide complete privacy.
    • Wildlife Garden: The seeds provide food for birds in the fall and winter, and the dense clumps offer shelter for wildlife.
    • Erosion Control: Its deep roots help stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
    • Dried Arrangements: The seed heads are excellent for dried flower arrangements.
    • Companion Plants: Combines well with a variety of plants, including:
      • Other ornamental grasses (e.g., Panicum virgatum, Schizachyrium scoparium)
      • Coneflowers (Echinacea)
      • Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia)
      • Asters
      • Goldenrod (Solidago)
      • Sedum (especially taller varieties)
      • Blazing Star (Liatris)
      • Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

    Planting and Care:

    • Sunlight: Prefers full sun (at least 6 hours per day) for best growth and flowering. It can tolerate very light shade, but flowering will be reduced.
    • Soil: Adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. However, it prefers well-drained soil. Avoid consistently wet or soggy conditions.
    • Watering: Water regularly, especially during establishment. Once established, it is quite drought-tolerant.
    • Fertilizing: Generally, does not require heavy feeding. A light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring is usually sufficient. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to excessive growth and flopping.
    • Pruning: Cut back the foliage to the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. This is the only pruning required.
    • Winter Hardiness: Hardy in USDA zones 4-9.
    • Propagation: Can be propagated by seed or division. Division is best done in spring. Seeds can be sown directly in the garden in fall or started indoors in late winter.

    Taxonomy:

    • Kingdom: Plantae
    • Division: Magnoliophyta
    • Class: Liliopsida
    • Order: Poales
    • Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
    • Genus: Sorghastrum
    • Species: nutans
    • Cultivar: 'Golden Sunset'

    Morphology:

    • Roots: Deep, fibrous root system.
    • Stems: Erect, unbranched culms (stems of grasses).
    • Leaves: Linear, alternate, with a prominent midrib. The leaves have a ligule (a small, membranous appendage at the junction of the leaf blade and sheath).
    • Flowers/Seed Heads: Large, terminal panicles composed of numerous spikelets. Each spikelet contains one fertile floret (flower).
    • Fruit: A caryopsis (a type of dry fruit typical of grasses).

    Other Insights Gardeners Need to Know:

    • Deer Resistance: Generally considered deer-resistant.
    • Pest and Disease Problems: Relatively pest-free and disease-resistant. Rust can occasionally occur but is usually not serious.
    • Self-Seeding: Can self-seed, but it is not typically considered invasive.
    • Warm Season Grass: Begins its primary growth in the warmer months.
    • Salt Tolerance: Has some tolerance for salt spray, making it suitable for coastal gardens.

    Sorghastrum nutans 'Golden Sunset' is a beautiful and versatile ornamental grass that adds height, texture, and movement to the landscape. Its golden seed heads, blue-green foliage, and upright habit make it a standout choice for a variety of garden settings. Its adaptability, low maintenance, and wildlife benefits further enhance its appeal.