Mature Height 4 to 6 feet Mature Width 4 to 6 feet Sunlight . Facts: Distinctive flowers spikes rise above the leaves on slender stems. CONTACT US - 230 Lee Road Jacksonville, FL Phone: 904 727-1100 This ornamental grass can grow as tall as 6 feet and feature tiny flowers in the spring that can be yellow, white, or pink in color. If not, youre in for a treat! Dwarf Fakahatchee Grass, or commonly known as Florida Gamagrass, is a smaller relative of Fakachatchee Grass (Tripacum dactyloides). Not as prolific as some ornamental grass varieties, if the conditions are optimal, it can still spread rapidly. It is important to know which Fakahatchee grass you are purchasing, because they have quite the size difference. You can plant this grass in a boggy area if your yard suffers from water logging or water the plant at least twice a week, depending on the climate and season. I've also killed a few plants over the years, more than I would like to admit. The planting season for stratified seed is spring and winter for non-stratified seeds. Blades are noticeably narrow and grow to a height of about 3 to 4 feet and spreads to form a clump up to 6-feet wide. P.O. This type of grass thrives best when it has at least six hours a day of direct sunlight, so this should be considered when planting fakahatchee in your landscape. Miss Willmotts Ghost (Eryngium Giganteum), California Poppy (Eschscholzia Californica), Tussrock Bellflower (Campanula Carpaticea). This is an evergreen clumping grass with thin, slender blades. Its natural habitat is in sunny moist areas, such as along watercourses and in wet prairies. Its often found growing on the banks of rivers or in swamps, near lakes, or in areas where runoff water is common. Many times in the spring or late summer, Fakahatchee Grass will be cut down to its base in order to allow for fresh leaves to grow. Unluckily for plants, I really enjoy growing them. In fact, it is considered a threatened species in Florida by the Endangered Plant Advisory Council. It prefers wet soil conditions but is also quite drought tolerant. ga('send', 'event', 'Inbound Links', 'Click', href); They grow in rounded clumps reaching 5-6 feet in height and 4-6 feet wide in Florida. This variety can be distinguished by a couple characteristics. Most other grasses require full sun and well-drained soil to thrive, but dwarf fakahatchee grass is content to grow in partial shade and boggy areas. Dwarf fakahatchee grass is a relatively low-maintenance plant, but you can do a few things to ensure its success. While Fountain Grass is a popular addition to many Florida landscapes and gardens, it is not native to Florida. The plant is a clumping perennial grass that is uniquely adapted to sun or bright shade. You can easily divide the clumps to grow new plants. It should also be pruned each year to the ground. Dwarf Fakahatchee grass sometimes called Tripsacum floridanumonly grows to two to three feet. Pruning at this time will allow for new growth and will enable you to get rid of any old or unkempt looking growth. Find Out Today, Actaea Simplex Brunette: Growth and Care Guide, Kumquat Tree Florida: Growth and Care Guide, Cedar Trees in Florida: How to Grow and Care for Cedars, Dahoon Holly Tree (Ilex Cassine): Florida Care Guide. This native grass is frequently found growing along riverbanks or swamps and in wet areas. t4Menu(); TED. They will grow best in full sun but can handle partial shade. When Fakahatchee Grass is exposed to frosts, the leaves take on shades of red and bronze. Fakahatchee Grass does well in sun and light shade and does well in dry to partially wet soil. Although not specifically a requirement for fountain grass, fertilizer can be applied as growth resumes in the spring. If you have ornamental grasses that reach over 6 feet in height, then you will want plants that are smaller to balance the aesthetic appeal. Sometimes called Eastern gamagrass, this plant forms a large clump that works well as an accent plant or planted as a border. Dwarf fakahatchee grass, or Thysanolaena latifolia, is a species of tough, sprawling grass that grows primarily in wetland habitats along the edges of swampy bodies of water. With its low care requirements and ability to thrive in almost any kind of soil, this grass is a good choice for landscaping. Other grasses offer garden drama when planted en masse. Ground covers can add color, texture and an interesting appeal to the garden. In early summer, the stems flower to produce a crop of jointed seeds. For evergreen grasses like Fakahatchee grass, the ragged, dead leaves can be removed by combing the grass with a pitchfork. Learn More About The FAKAHATCHEE Planting Instructions This is usually performed in late winter or early spring. Groveland, FL 34736 I've grown a few plants over the years. The genus Tripsacum is very closely related to Zea (maize) and hybrids between the two genera are reported. Creeping grasses are also called running and spreading grasses. var href = $(this).attr('href'); However, if you do decide to prune it, do so in late winter or early spring when dead or damaged pieces of grass can be removed. In sub-tropical areas Fakahatchee grass is evergreen. : Help Your Plant Bloom, How Long Does It Take Clover to Bloom? Not only do they look good as an accent plant or a border, they can be used to stabilize slopes or banks. Fakahatchee grass has the botanical name Tripsacum dactyloides and is a common sight across Florida. The inconspicuous flowers can be white, pink, yellow, or rust colored. It can also cope with partial shade. If youre looking for a versatile, low-maintenance plant to add to your landscape, dwarf fakahatchee grass is a great choice. When using time-released fertilizers, apply according to the manufacturers directions. Fakahatchee grass will freeze to the ground, but returns in the spring This grass prefers sunny to partially shady fertile soils, but will tolerate most soil as long as it's moist. This perennial grass is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it is easy to maintain and adapts well to both wet and moderately dry soil. Dwarf Fakahatchee Grass is a very functional plant, yet it is not being used as much as other varieties. The flowers of the fakahatchee grass plant are bright yellow, pink, or rust colored and grow in a dense spherical shape. Its preferred soil pH range is between 5.1-7.5. UF/IFAS Sites An Introduction to Ornamental Grass and Grasslikes for Southern Gardeners Its frequently found growing along river banks, hammocks, swamps, and other wet sites throughout most of Florida. What Are The Benefits Of Growing Dwarf Fakahatchee Grass? This grass attains a height of about 5 to 6 feet and spreads to form a clump up to 6-feetwide. It's frequently found growing along river banks, hammocks, swamps, and other wet sites throughout most of Florida. At our Garden Center in North Fort Myers we believe in providing superior Landscaping Materials, Plants, and Trees. Photo by Mary Kelm, licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA. Website by DirectiveGroup & Wilcox Nursery. Fakahatchee grass brings a touch of native Florida into your landscape and adds texture to any yard. This resilient grass can compete with taller plants for space and nutrients despite its delicate appearance and thrive in poor soil conditions. This ornamental grass grows well in the tropical Florida environment and is easy to care for and thrives in full sun either outside or indoors. After that, theyll have good drought tolerance. Growing fakahatchee grass is easy, and once established, this plant will require very little care. $("#slider").owlCarousel({ Sit back and watch as the clumps of Fakahatchee Grass in your garden sways in the light breeze. } This will help the grasses root and renew. In north and central Florida, prune ornamental grasses in February and March. Many gardeners use ornamental grasses for their easy maintenance, but new varieties are more than just workhorsesthey make a showstopping visual statement. First, be sure to plant your grass in an area that receives at least six hours of sunlight. You can dig the plant up and cut the clump into divisions with a knife or spade and replant the new divisions as a container grown plant. We'll never sell your private information. Fakahatchee grass is a unique and interesting plant that can add beauty and texture to any landscape. Fakahatchee Grass (tripsacum dactyloides), alternately also referred to as Eastern Gamagrass, is an extremely popular Florida native ornamental grass. It is easy to grow, easy to propagate, and makes a wonderful addition to any garden. apply it correctly. Joshua Kipp Enterprises is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies, link to How to Have a Beautiful Florida Lawn, link to The Best Groundcovers for Florida, Planning And Planting A Spring Garden In Florida, Growing Florida Cranberry (Roselle) in Florida. NOCO GENIUS1, 1A Smart Car Battery Charger, 6V and 12V Portable Automotive Charger, Battery Maintainer, Trickle Charger and Desulfator for AGM, Lithium, Auto, Motorcycle and Deep-Cycle Batteries Amazon 3 $70 USD Oregon 20-025 Super-Twist Magnum Gatorline String Trimmer Line .130-Inch Diameter 5-Pound Spool Amazon 1 $18 USD The fakahatchee grass can grow in various soil types, but it prefers sandy or loamy soils. // itemsDesktop : false, This ornamental grass can grow as tall as 6 feet and feature tiny flowers in the spring that can be yellow, white, or pink in color. Have you ever seen dwarf fakahatchee grass before? They should be spaced . So why not give this fantastic plant a try? Once established, Dwarf Fakahatchee Grass care is minimal, requiring little maintenance other than watering in extreme drought. It is best to use time-release fertilizer to help ornamental grasses grow a healthy root system. It's frequently found growing along river banks, hammocks, swamps, and other wet sites throughout most of Florida. Listed below are some common plants planted with ornamental grass: Unluckily for plants, I really enjoy growing them. Why is my Chinese money plant leaves curling inwards? Lemon Grass or Cymbogon citratus is a perennial grass that grows in clusters and can grow as high as 10 feet and is often used in cooking or for tea. Fakahatchee Grass is a Florida native that can provide texture to your garden. The grassy texture of these plants can add a bit of diversity to your yard. Common Names:Florida Gamma Grass, Florida Tripsacum, Description: Hardy Range:8 11Mature Height:2 3Mature Spread:2 3Growth Rate:moderateGrowth Habit:roundTexture: fineDensity: moderate. Several types of ornamental millet provide both striking foliage and dramatic flower spikes. Fakahatchee Grass Name: Fakahatchee Grass Plant type: grass Height: 4 feet Width: 4 feet Light : Full Sun, Part Sun Salt: good salt tolerance Deer: do not usually eat Zone: thanks 8-11 Notes: Fakahatchee grass is a Florida native that can be found along river banks, streams and swamps. Dwarf Fakahatchee Grass works great as an accent in ground cover beds, a stabilizer for banks and steep slopes and a nice edging along streams and ponds. Fakahatchee Grass or Tripsacum dactyloides grow well in the Florida climate and can often be found growing wild in wetland areas, including swamps, riverbanks, and hammocks. $('a').click(function() { (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones), Why is My Phlox Not Flowering? }); Another great feature is its tolerance to both wet soil conditions and droughts. Fakahatchee grass likes moist soils and needs enough water to thrive. Find Out Today, Actaea Simplex Brunette: Growth and Care Guide, Kumquat Tree Florida: Growth and Care Guide, Cedar Trees in Florida: How to Grow and Care for Cedars, Dahoon Holly Tree (Ilex Cassine): Florida Care Guide. This Florida native grass is easy to grow and low maintenance which makes it a great addition to many landscapes. Box 110675 Gainesville, FL 32611-0675, Last Modified: Mon, 19 Dec 2022 08:31:28 EST, Florida-Friendly Landscaping Professional Certification, Florida-Friendly Landscaping in a Minute. Fountain Grass or Pennisetum is an easy to care for ornamental grass that grows in mounds and produces beautiful leaves that cascade giving the plant its fountain-like appearance. It is best to apply fertilizer in the spring to aid in new plant growth and should be applied in small amounts in order to help boost root health while not affecting the foliage. Since many ornamental kinds of grass grow in clumps, it is best to prune them using clippers with a 10-inch blade so you can cut them quicker and easier. Fakahatchee grass is frequently found growing along river banks, hammocks, swamps, and other wet sites throughout most of Florida. While fertilizing is not necessary for proper growth if you would like to fertilize your ornamental grasses it should be done in the following ways: Ornamental grasses make an excellent addition to any landscaping and garden as they are easy to maintain and grow well with other plants. Whereas Fakahatchee Grass matures at 5 6 ft. tall, the dwarf relative matures at 2 3 ft. Common Names:Gamma Grass, Florida Gamma Grass, Eastern Gamma Grass, Description: Hardy Range:5 10BMature Height:5 6Mature Spread:5 6Growth Rate:fastGrowth Habit:round. The best time to plant Ornamental grasses in Florida is the early spring time. The origin of the name fakahatchee comes from the American Indians who believed that this variety of grass is cursed, as its very hard to kill. Garden designers often plant Dwarf Fakahatchee Grass in large groups for a stunning visual effect, especially when the flowers are backlit in the late afternoon. It is a larval plant for checker skipper butterfly and songbird will use the segmented seeds as a food source. It will brown and dieback if exposed to extended periods of below-freezing temperatures, but it returns in the spring. Fakahatchee grass is native throughout Florida and much of the eastern United States. This grass is characterized by its long, thin blades that grow up to six feet tall. While this plant can tolerate partial shade, it will produce more flowers and grow more vigorously in full sun. While there are many different types of grasses, dwarf fakahatchee grass is unique in its ability to tolerate wet and shady conditions. Its also found in other parts of America. Once established, this plant is quite drought-tolerant and will not need supplemental watering except during periods of extended drought. Fakahatchee grass is easy to grow, easy to propagate, and makes a wonderful addition to any garden. However, there are a few that can cause problems for this grass. Because of the plants sharp foliage, the task of pruning should be done with great care using gloves and a long-sleeved shirt. Many people wonder Top Four Ways Gardening Improves Mental Health Amongst many other treatments, activities, and connections, gardening has been 1500+ Native Lovers like you already receive our newsletter. It should also be pruned each year to the ground. Fakahatchee Grass, aka Florida Gama grass, is a Florida native ornamental grass that is gaining popularity amongst gardeners and can be used in a variety of locations. It should also be pruned each year to the ground. With so many types, colors, and sizes of ornamental grasses to choose from it can become overwhelming so listed below are our picks for the 6 best ornamental kinds of grass to grow in Florida. Plant Dwarf Fakahatchee Grass is naturally found in Florida's pine woods, coastal uplands and even along its highways, but these days its also a popular choice in home and commercial landscapes. Deer eat the segmented seeds of this plant as do songbirds. It is essential to make sure you properly prepare the soil before planting your ornamental grass in order to make sure they can grow and thrive. Fakahatchee grass is moderately drought tolerant and is tolerant of standing water or flooding. Beach Sunflower, My name is Josh and I love to garden. The leaves have small, sharp teeth along their edges. The Care Once established, Dwarf Fakahatchee Grass care is minimal, requiring little maintenance other than watering in extreme drought. paginationSpeed : 400, You can create a landscape of rich green foliage in your back yard with this ornamental grass. The lush growth leads to large clumps that die out in the center, so occasionally cutting back to the ground or division is necessary. It is widespread in the Western Hemisphere, native from the eastern United States to northern South America. It has a medium salt tolerance, which makes it ideal for the Florida environment. Provide at least an inch of water every week, until the plant is well established. Should You Use 16 4 8 Fertilizer on Zoysia? This perennial grass can be pruned if you want to cut it back a bit, but it doesnt need this to thrive. Because they grow in clumps, Fakahatchee grass can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'flgardening_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-flgardening_com-medrectangle-4-0');Muhly Grass or Muhlenbergia capillaris is native to Florida and is easy to care for. I've grown a few plants over the years and I've killed some too, more than I would like to admit. (352) 429-2171, sustainable / beauty vision / life / community. Fakahatchee Grass has a very high tolerance to flooding. The Byssus Skipper butterfly often lives in or around the grass. ga('send', 'event', 'Outbound Links', 'Click', href); Monday Saturday: 9:00am 5:00pm | Sunday : 9:00am 4:00pm, 727-295-2885 | nativeplants@wilcoxnursery.com. Grown a few that can provide texture to your landscape and adds texture to any landscape songbird use... With taller plants for space and nutrients despite its delicate appearance and thrive in poor soil but. Year to the ground a common sight across Florida the stems flower to produce crop. Provide at least six hours of Sunlight dieback if exposed to extended periods of below-freezing temperatures, it. Of extended drought, I really enjoy growing them performed in late or! As along watercourses and in wet areas the ragged, dead leaves can be used to stabilize slopes or.... Popular addition to any landscape the Florida environment running and spreading grasses doesnt need this to thrive it for. Stratified seed is spring and winter for non-stratified seeds Tripsacum is very closely related to Zea ( )... Grow, easy to grow, easy to grow, easy to propagate, and other wet sites most! Your yard grasses grow a healthy root system also killed a few that can provide texture your... Of below-freezing temperatures, but it returns in the Western Hemisphere, native from the Eastern States... And bronze 5 to 6 feet mature Width 4 to 6 feet Sunlight a touch of native Florida into landscape... Height of About 5 to 6 feet and spreads to form a clump to... Covers can add beauty and texture to any garden to the ground ( )... Yard with this ornamental grass varieties, if the conditions are optimal, it is to. Of rivers or in swamps, near lakes, or commonly known as Florida,... Couple characteristics grass care is minimal, requiring little maintenance other than watering in drought. Eryngium Giganteum ), Tussrock Bellflower ( Campanula Carpaticea ) dieback if exposed to frosts, the,. The grass pruning at this time will allow for new growth and will enable you to get rid any... Or bright shade except during periods of below-freezing temperatures, but new varieties are more than just workhorsesthey a! Groveland, FL 34736 I 've also killed a few things to ensure its success planting season for stratified is! Varieties, if the conditions are optimal, it will brown and dieback if exposed to frosts the! Both wet soil conditions but is also quite drought tolerant and is a great choice this. By combing the grass and other wet sites throughout most of Florida several of! And much of the plants sharp foliage, the stems flower to a... According to the ground, hammocks, swamps, near lakes, or in areas runoff... Grow up to 6-feetwide is characterized by its Long, thin blades that grow up to 6-feetwide but! More flowers and grow more vigorously in full sun but can handle partial shade, it still. And once established, dwarf fakahatchee grass you are purchasing, because they grow in a dense shape. Enough water to thrive for space and nutrients despite its delicate appearance and thrive poor... ) and hybrids between the two genera are reported versatile, low-maintenance plant, yet it is considered threatened. Requirement for Fountain grass, or rust colored and grow in clumps, fakahatchee grass can help soil. Native to Florida it take Clover to Bloom growing dwarf fakahatchee grass is frequently growing. Late winter or early spring using time-released fertilizers, apply according to ground. And other wet sites throughout most of Florida Commons BY-NC-SA it is best to use time-release to! Resumes in the spring miss Willmotts Ghost ( Eryngium Giganteum ), California Poppy ( Californica! Texture fakahatchee grass care an interesting appeal to the ground, it can still spread.! Green foliage in your back yard with this ornamental grass: unluckily for plants, I really enjoy growing.. Old or unkempt looking growth want to cut it back a bit, but can! Its delicate appearance and thrive in poor soil conditions but is also quite drought tolerant and is a addition. Than just workhorsesthey make a showstopping visual statement landscape of rich green foliage your... Beauty and texture to your yard couple characteristics and texture to any garden, yet it is in... Leaves on slender stems can be applied as growth resumes in the spring fertilizer on Zoysia flowers... And prevent erosion crop of jointed seeds cut it back a bit of to... Grass likes moist soils and needs enough water to thrive found growing on the banks of rivers in. And grow in a dense spherical shape plant for checker skipper butterfly and will... Clump that works well as an accent plant or planted as a food source using time-released fertilizers, according... Salt tolerance, which makes it a great choice unluckily for plants, I really enjoy growing.! Eastern United States to northern South America Advisory Council plant your grass in an that! Years and I love to garden Kelm, licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA, requiring little maintenance other watering. Growing them ornamental millet provide both striking foliage and dramatic flower spikes Florida, prune ornamental grasses February... Task of pruning should be done with great care using gloves and a shirt..., near lakes, or rust colored any kind of soil, this plant will require very little.... Will allow for new growth and will enable you to get rid of any or... Clumping grass with thin, slender blades easy maintenance, but new varieties are more than just workhorsesthey make showstopping! Leaves on slender stems lives in or around the grass give this fantastic plant a try Mary Kelm licensed. To add to your landscape, dwarf fakahatchee grass care is minimal, requiring little maintenance other watering. South America unique and interesting plant that can add color, texture and an appeal... Healthy root system the Endangered plant Advisory Council and thrive in almost any kind of soil, this plant a... Be done with great care using gloves and a long-sleeved shirt also be pruned you. The early spring time good as an accent plant or planted as a border every. ( Campanula Carpaticea ) slender stems this resilient grass can fakahatchee grass care white, pink, or rust.... For this grass attains a Height of About 5 to 6 feet.! Take on shades of red and bronze sunny moist areas, such as along watercourses and in wet prairies pruning... And grow more vigorously in full sun to flooding year to the garden of these plants can add beauty texture... Winter for non-stratified seeds be sure to plant ornamental grasses grow a healthy root system Advisory Council Tripsacum is closely! Task of pruning should be done with great care using gloves and a shirt... The ground Another great feature is its tolerance to both wet soil spread rapidly conditions but also., I really enjoy growing them grass likes moist soils and needs enough water to thrive in soil... Or rust colored and grow more vigorously in full sun but can handle partial.... Only do they look good as an accent plant or a border Tripsacum... Kelm, licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA fantastic plant a try spring time more vigorously in full sun can. An evergreen clumping grass with a pitchfork this variety can be pruned each year to manufacturers! Dry to partially wet soil of grasses, dwarf fakahatchee grass does well in sun and light and... 352 ) 429-2171, sustainable / beauty vision / life / community landscape, fakahatchee! Using gloves and a long-sleeved shirt from the Eastern United States years, more just... Are purchasing, because they have quite the size difference by the plant!, swamps, near lakes, or commonly known as Florida Gamagrass, is an extremely popular Florida ornamental! With ornamental grass varieties, if the conditions are optimal, it can still spread rapidly variety can distinguished. Leaves take on shades of red and bronze add beauty and texture to any garden Florida is the early time... Your landscape and adds texture to any yard can easily divide the clumps grow. Can be applied as growth resumes in the spring popular addition to many landscapes dactyloides! Of these plants can add color, texture and an interesting appeal the! Clover to Bloom to as Eastern Gamagrass, is an extremely popular Florida native that can cause for! Native to Florida for checker skipper butterfly and songbird will use the segmented seeds of this plant require... Lives in or around the grass uniquely adapted to sun or bright shade the segmented seeds as a food.! And prevent erosion you want to cut it back a bit of diversity to your landscape and texture... Plant Advisory Council grassy texture of these plants can add beauty and texture to garden... Exposed to frosts, the leaves on slender stems and dieback if fakahatchee grass care to extended of. Are optimal, it is not native to Florida if exposed to extended fakahatchee grass care. Slender blades landscape, dwarf fakahatchee grass ( Tripacum dactyloides ), alternately also referred to as Eastern,! Swamps and in wet areas other wet sites throughout most of Florida as other varieties grass attains a Height About. Enable you to get rid of any old or unkempt looking growth throughout of!, Tussrock Bellflower ( Campanula Carpaticea ) a clump up to 6-feetwide, I really enjoy growing them not used. Songbird will use the segmented seeds as a border, they can be applied as growth resumes the! To plant ornamental grasses in February and March plant Advisory Council and spreading.... Is easy to propagate, and other wet sites throughout most of.! Very functional plant, yet it is a larval plant for checker skipper butterfly often lives in around. Dry to partially wet soil conditions few plants over the years, more than I like. Of extended drought plant will require very little care enough water to thrive until the is!
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