Wind Dancer Lovegrass
Eragrostis elliottii 'Wind Dancer'
Plant Height: 18 inches
Flower Height: 3 feet
Spread: 3 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 5b
Other Names: Love Grass
Description:
This fine textured, warm season grass produces soft white plumes that sway in the wind in summer, turning tan by fall; clumps can be divided in spring; visually stunning when massed
Ornamental Features
Wind Dancer Lovegrass features showy plumes of white flowers rising above the foliage from mid summer to early fall. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive grassy leaves remain bluish-green in color throughout the season. The tan seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from mid to late fall.
Landscape Attributes
Wind Dancer Lovegrass is an herbaceous perennial grass with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
- Self-Seeding
Wind Dancer Lovegrass is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Accent
- General Garden Use
- Groundcover
- Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
- Container Planting
Planting & Growing
Wind Dancer Lovegrass will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity extending to 3 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 3 feet. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!
This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Wind Dancer Lovegrass is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
