In the Landscap e
Native Grasses for Tennessee Landscapes By Tom Samples, Ph.D., John Sorochan, Ph.D., and John Parham, The University of Tennessee Figure 1. Surface water protection triangle.
Figure 2. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map of Tennessee
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS April/May 2014 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com
N
ative grasses are planted in Tennessee landscapes for several reasons. They can be used to provide nesting habitat for birds, attract wildlife, control erosion, reduce maintenance costs, improve plant diversity and add seasonal color. Some, such as side-oats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) are relatively short, reaching a height of ~36 inches at maturity. Others, including big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), are tall and may reach a height of more than 6 feet. Leaf texture, color and variegation also often vary among species and varieties. For example, in summer the leaves of Mexican feather grass (Nasella tenuissima) are yellow or golden, while those of bitter panic grass (Panicum amarum) are grayish-green. Mexican feather grass also has very slender leaves, while the leaves of giant reed grass (Arundo donax) are coarse, often 2 or more inches wide. Several species, including little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), thrive in clayey, fine-textured soils low in fertility. Prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) is best adapted in well-drained soils. As its name implies, the warmseason native species woodoats (Chasmanthium latifolium) is tolerant of shade and grows in forests. Many motorists are very familiar with broomsedge bluestem (Andropogon virginicus), a species they observe growing along the state’s highways. Several species of native warm- and cool-season grasses are often planted along with trees and shrubs in buffer