Overview
Spartina michauxiana is a grass in the genus Spartina, part of the Q43238 family. Spartina michauxiana grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils. Suggested uses include wetland restoration, erosion control and ornamental grass. It is native to central and eastern Canada and most of the contiguous United States except southwestern and southeastern regions.
About
Spartina michauxiana is a grass that thrives in wet, marshy ground and is commonly used for wetland restoration and erosion control. It favours full sun and wet to moist clay or loam soils. Native to central and eastern Canada and most of the contiguous United States (excluding the southwest and southeast), it is also grown as an ornamental grass for damp sites. It flowers from July to September.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Sporobolus michauxianus
About the genus
Spartina is a section of the genus Sporobolus, plants in the grass family, frequently found in coastal salt marshes. It was first established as a separate genus in 1789, and reduced to a section in 2014. Species are commonly known as cordgrass or cord-grass, and are native to the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean in western and southern Europe, north-western and southern Africa, the Americas and the islands of the southern Atlantic Ocean; one or two species also occur on the western coast of North America and in freshwater habitats inland in the Americas.
Wikipedia contributors, "Spartina", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Spartina
In the garden
Spartina michauxiana is a marsh-adapted grass in the genus Spartina, native to central and eastern Canada and much of the contiguous United States apart from the southwestern and southeastern regions. In cultivation it is valued where permanent moisture or seasonal inundation are features of the site and where soil remains clayey or loamy rather than free-draining. Plant in a sunny position with consistently wet or at least reliably moist soil; it will not perform on dry, free-draining banks. Use it where full sun is available and the substrate is clay, loam or otherwise marshy. Establishment benefits from maintaining surface moisture while the plants take hold; locations subject to regular drying are inappropriate. In the garden or managed landscape it is best applied where erosion control or wetland recreation is required — for example on pond margins, formal wetland features and engineered wet ditches — and as a structural ornamental in damp borders. Flowering occurs from July to September, providing a seasonally distinct presence on wet-site schemes and restoration projects.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Spartina
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil type
- wet, marshy, clay, loam
- Soil moisture
- wet, moist
Plant details
Spartina michauxiana size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Grass
- Suggested uses
- wetland restoration, erosion control, ornamental grass
- Native to
- central and eastern Canada, most of the contiguous United States except southwestern and southeastern regions
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Spartina michauxiana
- Cultivation
- Prefers wet soils, often found in marshes and along water bodies. Tolerates flooding.
- Pruning
- Cut back in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
- Propagation
- By seed or division
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Spartina michauxiana?
Prefers wet soils, often found in marshes and along water bodies. Tolerates flooding.
Where is the best place to plant Spartina michauxiana?
Spartina michauxiana prefers full sun.
What soil does Spartina michauxiana need?
Spartina michauxiana is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including wet, marshy, clay and loam. Aim for soil that stays wet to moist.
How do I prune Spartina michauxiana?
Cut back in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
How do I propagate Spartina michauxiana?
By seed or division.
More in the Spartina genus
- Spartina alterniflorasmooth cord grass
- Spartina pectinata 'Aureo-marginata'Prairie Cordgrass 'Aureo-marginata'
- Spartina 'Dafken'