Sporobolus heterolepis, tray of 50 plugs

A favorite of garden designers, native Prairie Dropseed is equally valuable massed or as an accent plant thanks to its tidy mounds of 15" blades. This Ornamental Grass reaches its full height of 2-3' in autumn when crowned with rust-colored airy plumes against burnished gold foliage. An interesting perk is its coriander scent. This flat contains 50 plant plugs, each 2" wide x 5" deep.

Of the roughly 160 annual and perennial Sporobolus species found growing worldwide, more than 25 are native to North America. The commonly grown Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) is a fine-textured, upright, mounding Grass that begins growing in June and is at its best during the dog days of summer. It produces delicate panicles of flowers that, in late summer, ripen to tiny seeds which help sustain a variety of overwintering songbirds and other wildlife. Sporobolus is adaptable to a range of environmental conditions, though it particularly thrives in full sun and well-drained soils and is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. In gardens and designed landscapes, whether naturalistic or formal, Prairie Dropseed brings movement and textural contrast. In a mass planting, the sheer beauty of its undulating mounded forms, airy flowers, and dancing seed panicles are breathtakingly beautiful. Sporobolus is not considered invasive, making it a responsible choice for naturalistic designs and restoration projects. For gardeners, the ecological value, ease of care, and aesthetic qualities make it highly desirable.

Landscape Plugs™ are a boon to gardeners seeking an easy, economical way to plant sizable swaths of native perennials. They are also an affordable way to purchase numerous plants that can be readily incorporated into existing large gardens or meadows. Landscape Plugs™ have deep roots (to 5”), which help plants establish quickly and provide erosion control. This perennial, and others in the Landscape Plugs™ series, is likely to reach flowering size in its first year. By itself or mixed with other plants in the series, it is a superb choice for creating habitat for wildlife. Plugs are offered in easy-to-transport flats, each featuring a single variety. The trays are made of 100% recycled plastic that is recyclable (#6).

For more information on growing and care, click Growing Guide.

We want our customers to receive strong, healthy plants that are ready to thrive in their gardens and homes. Here's what we'd like you to know about our shipping practices.

Delivery Timing

We aim to deliver your plants at as close to the proper time for planting in your area as possible. To do so, we consider the USDA Hardiness Zone to which we're shipping, current and forecasted weather at the destination and along the shipping route, and whether your plants are ready for transplant.

In spring, we ship first to the warmest regions and move north as planting conditions improve. For fall deliveries, we begin with the coolest regions and work south. We frequently adjust shipping schedules when extreme weather could put plants at risk while in transit or soon after arrival.

Because different plants reach readiness at different rates and are weather-sensitive in varying degree, a single order may be delivered via multiple shipments. Plants sold as part of a collection, or that are otherwise meant to arrive together, will be shipped together. Please contact our customer service team with two weeks' advance notice if you anticipate being away at the expected time of delivery. 

Tracking information for each package is delivered via email. 

Plant & Container Sizes

We deliver plants in various sizes and stages of growth, and the product detail pages of our website indicate the form and/or pot size in which the plant will be delivered. Pot sizes range from 1 pint to 1 gallon and larger. Many perennials, roses, shrubs and vines are delivered bareroot - that is, not in a container at all. Bulbs and tubers are generally delivered bareroot and fully dormant. We choose container sizes and delivery methods based on how each plant grows best, how we can minimize transplant shock, and how to minimize unnecessary bulk/weight in shipment. 

Caring for Your Plants Upon Arrival

It is important to acclimate greenhouse-grown plants to life outdoors. All plant shipments include simple instructions for handling your plants upon arrival. Further how-to information, including planting instructions, is available on each plant's product page.

Planting Your Native Plugs

Soil Preparation:

Below are 3 different methods we recommend for preparing your soil for planting. Choose the method that works best for you.

• Tilling – Plants grow best in soil that has been loosened and cleared before planting. A rototiller comes in handy for preparing a large area, but a shovel or spade can also be used to break the ground, turn the soil, and remove all grass and weeds. Once the area is clear, apply a 3-4” layer of organic matter, such as compost. Turn the layer into the soil to a depth of approximately 6-8”. If you choose the tilling method, continued weeding will be required as your plants start to take root and grow since dormant weed seeds will have been disturbed during the tilling process.
• Mulch & Cardboard - At least a month before planting your garden, lay sheets of cardboard on top of the grass or soil over the entire planting area. Then apply a 3” layer of organic mulch on top of the cardboard. The grass and weeds underneath will decompose over time and form their own compost, which will enrich the soil. Within a few weeks, the cardboard will soften enough to allow you to break through with a trowel and plant into the ground.
• Solarization - This method takes the longest amount of time to prepare your site for planting–up to 8 weeks or longer. Till the ground as described above, and then lay a clear plastic tarp tightly over the area. This will “cook” any grass, weeds, and seeds that remain in the soil. Solarization is the most effective method for weed control, but it may also kill some beneficial organisms in the soil. After the process is complete, though, other organisms will colonize the area.

Planting Your Garden:

Upon Arrival

• Immediately check the soil for dryness. Water your plug trays so the soil is moist.
• Set your plants outside in a sheltered, lightly shaded spot, out of direct sunlight.
• Increase their exposure to sun and wind each day for up to 3 days.
• Make sure the soil remains moist by keeping the plug trays well-watered. The well-rooted plants are susceptible to drying out while in the plug trays.

Planting

• Water thoroughly prior to planting. This will make it easier to remove the plugs from the tray and will keep them from drying out while you are laying out your plants.
• Dig a hole wide enough and just deep enough for the root ball, which will be about 5” deep.
• Remove the plant from the tray and very gently break up the sides of the root ball with your thumbs.
• Set the root ball in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the surface of the surrounding soil.

After Planting

• Immediately water plants thoroughly once your garden has been planted, to eliminate air pockets around the roots, and keep an eye on soil moisture over the following weeks. If the soil is dry, water thoroughly. But if the soil below the surface is moist to the touch, don't water. It is better to water deeply and for a longer period of time than providing only brief, shallow waterings, to make sure the roots are getting enough water.
• Apply approximately a 2-4” layer of organic mulch, such as compost, to the area after planting, keeping it from touching plant crowns and stems. The mulch will help suppress weeds, preserve moisture, and enrich the soil over time.
• There is no need to add fertilizer to the soil at this point, or at any time during the growing season.

Continuing Care:

• Plants can be cut back in fall or may be left standing through winter to provide a habitat for overwintering birds.
• Cut back plants in early spring.
• Keep an eye out for developing spring weeds and pull them by hand when they appear.
• Apply a layer of organic mulch in spring. This will help replenish nutrients in the soil and is in lieu of fertilizer.
• Water your garden during prolonged dry spells.

At White Flower Farm, we stand firmly behind every product we sell and are proud to offer a money-back guarantee on each and every item offered on our website and at our store in Connecticut. Some modest terms and conditions apply, click here for details.

Should you have any questions about how our guarantee applies to a particular product or circumstance, our customer service team will be happy to help – please contact us at (800) 411-6159 or [email protected].