Spartina pectinata

Prairie Cord Grass is a perennial, ornamental grass species that typically grows about 1.5 m in height. This plant may also be known by the common names Slough Grass or Ripgut. The leaves are glossy, dark green coloured, have sharp edges, change yellow in the fall, and appear in basal clumps. Flowers are straw coloured, are arranged in comb-like clusters, appear on tall flower stems above the leaves, and bloom between July and August. Prairie Cord Grass is easy to grow and is low maintenance. This plant spreads well and can form small colonies. The roots can be useful for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines. The seeds are also beneficial to wildlife species, like birds and small mammals.

Prairie Cord Grass grows best in moist to wet conditions with full or partial sun exposure. It grows well in a variety of soil types, including loam, sand, clay, and rock. It is tolerant of periodically flooded areas, drought, and steep slopes. This grass can be naturally found prairies, roadsides, around marshes or swamps, and along river or lake shorelines.

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Scientific Name: Spartina pectinata
Type: Ground Cover
Height: 1.5 m
Spread: 2 m
Moisture Level: moist, wet
Light Conditions: full sun, part sun
Soil Conditions: sand, clay, loam, rocky
Zone (Hardiness of Canada):