This vigorously spreading native cool-season grass has a sweet vanilla scent and thrives in moist to wet soils.
Sweetgrass is an aromatic perennial prairie grass prized for its fresh scent.
Sweetgrass blooms between March and May, which is much earlier than most grasses.
After the bloom, it forms small spikelets of bronze seedheads.
Sweetgrass is considered sacred by many indigenous peoples in North America.
Native Americans have long used sweetgrass for making smudge sticks as well as for weaving baskets.
The characteristic sweet smell of the grass comes from coumarin, a natural anticoagulant.
It eventually forms a thick mat of foliage that tends to flop over unless cut back.
Sweetgrass works well for erosion control on moderately sloping hillsides and embankments.
Mass plantings or drifts create the best effect.
Sweetgrass blends in handsomely with other low-growing ornamental grasses or tall perennials.
How and When to Plant Sweetgrass
Plant nursery-grown sweetgrass in pots in the spring.
Dig a hole at least twice the diameter of the nursery pot and just as deep.
Place the plant in the center of the hole and backfill with original soil.
Tamp down the soil and water immediately to remove any air pockets.
Continue watering the new plant regularly in the absence of frequent rain.
The soil should be wet to moist at all times.
Space plants 2 feet apart.
Light
Sweetgrass needs at least half a day offull sunto flourish.
The idealpH range is 6.0 to 8.0.
Consistent moisture is essential to successfully growing sweetgrass.
The soil should never be allowed to dry out.
If the soil is not naturally wet, establish a regular watering schedule, especially during dry periods.
It does not have any known issues with low or high humidity.
Choose a container with large drainage holes at least 12 inches wide and deep.
Fill it with a combination of well-draining potting soil and compost.
When the grass has outgrown its pot, repot sweetgrass to a larger container or divide it.
Pests and Problems
Sweetgrass is mostly free of serious pest and disease issues.
The plants are attractive to mealybugs, slugs, and snails, as well as rabbits and groundhogs.
How to Propagate Sweetgrass
Propagating sweetgrass from seed is not recommended because of low germination rates.
Propagating plants by division has a better success rate.
In the spring, dig out a clump and divide it into smaller sections.
ensure each section has rhizomes or rhizome buds on it.
Plant the sections at the same height as the original plant.
Water it well right after planting and continue to water regularly until the grass is established.
The upright, tall, bottlebrush-like flower spikes are white or pale green and appear from August through October.
The brilliant red flowers are borne in loose spires.
Zone 2-8
Penstemon
Penstemonsare tough perennials that stand up to intense growing conditions.
Along with their bright blooms, many varieties of penstemon also have colorful foliage to add to the mix.
To prevent it from taking over, it is recommended that you plant sweetgrass in a container.
It produces only few viable seeds and mainly spreads by rhizomes.
This practice disrupts ecosystems.
