Clumping warm-season grass with foliage that turns in fall from green to shades of gold, bronze, brown, and orange. The foliage persists, providing striking color through winter and into the following year. Foliage also provides nesting habitat for wildlife including gamebirds and long-lasting cover for insects and other wildlife. Seeds are eaten by songbirds; seeds are borne on flowering culms that were historically used as brooms. Host plant for larvae of the cobweb skipper.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Broomsedge
Andropogon virginicus
Plant Type: Grasses / Sedges / Rushes
Native Environment: Glade, Prairie
Season of Interest: Late (July - frost), Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Gold
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data
Photo: Mervin Wallace
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate
Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Songbirds
Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host, Cover, Food/Birds, Nesting
Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
30 to
40
inches
Spread:
8 to
14
inches
Size
Height: 30 to
40
inches
Spread: 8 to
14
inches
Size
Height: 30 to
40
inches
Spread: 8 to
14
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Wildflower meadow and prairie plantings; rock gardens; garden accent. Good choice for poor and disturbed soil.
Establishment and Care Instructions
When planting by seed, sow March-June; if broadcasting, seed at higher rate and use a carrier (rice hulls/sawdust). In mixed plantings, tends to cede eventually to surrounding wildflowers. Likes full or medium sun.
Special Features
Special Usage
Salt Tolerant
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
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What’s the Next Step?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.