Danthonia spicata
Poverty Oatgrass
- Hardiness: Zone :
- 4
- Plant Type:
- Perennial, Grass/Graminoid, Ground Cover
- Geography:
- Native
- Light:
- Sun, Sun/Part Shade
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Moisture:
- Dry to Occasionally Moist, Needs Good Drainage
- Special Features:
- Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant
- Container Sizes:
- 2" plug, 4", 1-gallon
- Mature Height:
- 12"
- Mature Spread:
- 12"
For a little plant few people know, this one arouses surprisingly deep affection among native plant lovers and grass afficionados. I use it in landscapes with dry, rocky and poor soils (hence the common name), where most people assume they can grow nothing--and it thrives. Common under pines and in drier oak/mixed woodlands, but almost always found where the soil is shallow and rocky, or where a light layer of duff overlays very shallow bedrock. Tight, petite rosettes of twisted and spun foliage give the plant a compact fine texture, especially in winter when the leaves turn beige but persist in exaggerated curlicues. In summer the foliage straightens out and tries to be larger but still only reaches 1' or less. Flowers are on 12" stalks and are attractive but the foliage is what makes Danthonia spicata special.