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Prairie Cordgrass

Spartina pectinata

Also known as: Freshwater Cordgrass

Iconic 6-foot wet-prairie grass with arching glossy leaves edged with tiny silica teeth (sharp — wear gloves). Spreads aggressively by rhizomes; brilliant gold fall color. Excellent for stabilizing pond margins and rain gardens.

Family

Poaceae

Type

grass

Lifespan

perennial

Height

4–7 ft

Spacing

4–7 ft apart

Light

sun

Soil moisture

moist, wet

Soil pH

acidic, neutral, alkaline

Bloom

June

Bloom colors

yellow

Wildlife value

songbirds

Landscape uses

specimen, rain garden, erosion control, naturalizing

Native states

AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY