Did you know much of North Texas used to be dominated by grasses that could hide a herd of buffalo? Bring some of the prairie back to your pasture or landscaping! Though the buffalo are gone, these grasses are still right at home in North Texas landscapes. Their expansive root systems make them excellent at improving soils and drought tolerant while above ground they benefit pollinators, birds, and other native wildlife. Their blue-green foliage, striking fall colors, and varied textures also make them an attractive addition to any landscaping. The tall grass prairie starter pack contains 8 grasses total, two of each of the following species:
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans)
Tall Grass Prairie Starter Pack
Placement - These plants are extremely hardy once established. They need 6+ hours of sun per day and soils that aren't overly compacted. Place where you think they fit your needs best - just beware - they can get up to 12 feet tall, so plan accordingly!
Planting instructions - Plants come as bare roots and are packed with native soil to retain moisture and soil microbes. They should be planted and watered immediately. To plant, dig hole wider and deeper than the roots and loosen removed soil to remove clumps as much as possible. Hold plant so root crown is just below soil surface and back fill hole with loosened soil, be sure to tamp soil slightly firm. Space plants about 2' apart.
Additional care - Pay attention to the weather in the first few months; if there is a drought, you may want to provide some extra water. If they continue to wilt even after being watered, provide some shade for a few weeks. Once established they will be 100% watering free, even in normal seasonal drought conditions. The only other maintenance is optional. For XL plants you can provide supplemental water (but not too much) all year to maximize growth. The plants can benefit from being divided after a few years (your family and friends can too if you share!). Your local pollinators use the dormant stems as their home during the winter, so if you can, wait for spring to cut back old growth.