Now you have your choice of Prairie Dropseed liners with Hoffman Nursery!
- New! Sporobolus heterolepis ‘Tara’ (Dwarf Prairie Dropseed), a premium, compact cultivar of our native Prairie Dropseed. See the info-packed Field Notes on ‘Tara’ in the March 2014 edition of American Nurseryman.
- Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed), the beautiful standard for meadows, prairie plantings, and an outstanding lawn alternative.
Sporobolus heterolepis ‘Tara’ is a compact selection of our native Prairie Dropseed. This charming cultivar has been around for several years but hasn’t been widely available in the trade. Hoffman Nursery is thrilled to begin offering liners this season.
‘Tara’ has a smaller, more upright stature and heavier bloomset than the species. It also tends to be more uniform. Garden designer Piet Oudolf chose this diminutive beauty for the Lurie Garden in Chicago’s Millenium Park and his home garden in the Netherlands (see earlier post).
The species, Sporobolus heterolepis, is a long-time favorite. With graceful, narrow foliage and a refined habit, Prairie Dropseed is perfect for large sweeps and meadow or prairie plantings. Piet Oudolf chose the species to grace the High Line in New York City. We’ve seen it used in corporate settings as a lawn alternative and in elegant, public gardens contrasting with sculpture and hardscape.
Both ‘Tara’ and the species take a few years to reach full maturity. While patience is required, both are worth the wait. They’re quite tough and stand up to drought conditions once established. Merge that with a beautiful aesthetic, which includes brilliant fall color, and you’ve got a winning combination. ‘Tara’ garners a higher price tag than the species, but its elegance and uniformity are worth it for prized plantings.
Both the species and ‘Tara’ are going fast, so place your order now! Contact our sales team by email or phone at 800-203-8590.
