Waterwise Plants for Lincoln and Southeast Nebraska
As Lincoln's population continues to grow, new pressures will be put on available public water resources. Using water wisely in the landscape is a vital part of water conservation. When you plan your landscape, be sure to include specific goals to reduce water use.
Although the plants listed here are valued for their low water needs, they still require regular watering during the first year. Plants develop healthy root systems when they are watered slowly. This allows moisture to soak into the ground instead of running off.
When planting perennials, prepare the soil before planting by adding organic matter. To enrich the soil, improve aeration and drainage, spread a 2-4 inch layer of organic matter on the soil surface. Dig this layer in to a depth of 6 inches. While compost or well-rotted manure is best, chopped leaves or grass clippings can be used although they may tie up some of the available nitrogen in the soil, making an additional application of fertilizer necessary. In most instances, soil improvement is not recommended when planting trees and shrubs. Testing your soil before planting is always a good idea.
After planting, add a layer of mulch over the soil to retain moisture and reduce runoff. Mulching also helps to control weeds. Three to four inches of mulch is plenty. Lincoln nursery and garden centers will carry most of the plants listed in this brochure. If you have questions about a plant's suitability in your landscape, contact your nursery or the Lancaster County Cooperative Extension Service.
Shade Part Sun Full Sun Attracts Butterflies
Trees
BUCKEYE, OHIO Aesculus glabra
- Bloom Color:
- White
- Bloom Time:
- May
- Height:
- 45-50'
- Spread:
- 35-45’
- Remarks:
- Rounded tree with spring flower panicles followed by seed pods. Displays strong drought tolerance.
CHOKECHERRY Prunus species
- Bloom Color:
- White
- Bloom Time:
- April-May
- Height:
- 25-30’
- Spread:
- 15-20’
- Remarks:
- Tough native tree that suckers to form thickets. Mow to keep in tree form. Great drought tolerance. Purple-leafed varieties available.
CRABAPPLE Malus cultivars
- Color:
- White, pink
- Bloom Time:
- April-May
- Height:
- 8-25’
- Spread:
- 6-25’
- Remarks:
- Showy blooms. New varieties with persistent fruit and disease tolerance.
GINKGO, MAIDENHAIR TREE Ginkgo biloba
- Height:
- 45-50’
- Spread:
- 30-40’
- Remarks:
- Fan shaped leaves turn yellow in fall. Slow grower. Tolerates air pollution. Smaller varieties available.
GOLDENRAIN TREE Koelreuteria paniculata
- Bloom Color:
- Yellow
- Bloom Time:
- June-July
- Height:
- 25-30’
- Spread:
- 15-20’
- Remarks:
- Lovely flowers and pod-like fruit. Tough and very drought tolerant.
HAWTHORN Crataegus species
- Color:
- White
- Bloom Time:
- May-June
- Height:
- 25-35’
- Spread:
- 15-20’
- Remarks:
- Tough, small tree with nice fall fruit.
HONEYLOCUST Gleditsia triacanthos
- Height:
- 40-50’
- Spread:
- 35-40’
- Remarks:
- Graceful habit with yellow fall color. A very tough tree. Look for thornless and seedless varieties.
KENTUCKY COFFEETREE Gymnocladus dioicus
- Height:
- 50-60’
- Spread:
- 35-45’
- Remarks:
- Adaptable to harsh conditions once established. Seedpods are poisonous.
LINDEN Tilia species
- Bloom Color:
- White
- Bloom Time:
- May
- Height:
- 40-60’
- Spread:
- 30-50’
- Remarks:
- Some are native to plains. Nice heart shaped leaves and fragrant blooms.
MAPLE Acer species
- Height:
- 25-60’
- Spread:
- 25-50’
- Remarks:
- Many types are drought tolerant. Great fall color. Armur maple is smaller and available as multi-trunked.
OAK Oak species
- Height:
- 50-60’
- Spread:
- 40-50’
- Remarks:
- Beautiful, durable trees. Many are drought tolerant and native. Interesting acorns, bark and leaf texture. Dwarf Chinkapin is available.
PINE Pinus species
- Height:
- 50-60’
- Spread:
- 40-50’
- Remarks:
- Many to choose from. Ponderosa, Bristlecone, Limber and Red Pine for drier soil
REDBUD Cercis canadensis
- Bloom Color:
- Reddish-purple, white
- Bloom Time:
- April-May
- Height:
- 20-30’
- Spread:
- 20-25’
- Remarks:
- Loaded with Spring blooms. Prefers growing in some shade.
SERVICEBERRY Amelanchier species
- Bloom Color:
- Reddish-purple, white
- Bloom Time:
- April-May
- Height:
- 15-25’
- Spread:
- 8-12’
- Remarks:
- Beautiful native tree/shrub. White flowers in spring followed by summer fruit that birds love.
SPRUCE, BLUE, BLACK HILLS Picea species
- Height:
- 35-50’
- Spread:
- 25-40’
- Remarks:
- Blue-green color on this evergreen. Very drought tolerant.
Shrubs
BUFFALO CURRANT Ribes odoratum
- Bloom Color:
- Yellow
- Bloom Time:
- June-July
- Height:
- 3-6’
- Spread:
- 2-4’
- Remarks:
- Native clove-scented shrub with black berries.
BUSH CINQUEFOIL Potentilla species
- Bloom Color:
- Yellow, orange, white, salmon
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 2-4’
- Spread:
- 3-6’
- Remarks:
- Heat loving shrub with bright colors and compact habit.
BUTTERFLY BUSH Buddleia species
- Bloom Color:
- Pink, white, purple
- Bloom Time:
- July-September
- Height:
- 3-10’
- Spread:
- 3-6’
- Remarks:
- Colorful bloom spikes set on silvery foliage.
CHOKEBERRY Aronia species
- Bloom Color:
- White
- Bloom Time:
- May-June
- Height:
- 5-8’
- Spread:
- 4-5
- Remarks:
- Native, adaptable shrub with seasonal interest: Blooms, fruit and vibrant fall color.
CORAL BERRY Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
- Bloom Color:
- White, pink
- Bloom Time:
- May
- Height:
- 3-6’
- Spread:
- 4-6’
- Remarks:
- Native. Arching branches are heavy with berries all winter.
COTONEASTER Cotoneaster species
- Bloom Color:
- White, pink
- Bloom Time:
- May-June
- Height:
- 2-5’
- Spread:
- 4-6’
- Remarks:
- Nice fruit display, fall color.
DOGWOOD Cornus species
- Bloom Color:
- White, yellow
- Bloom Time:
- May-June
- Height:
- 3-10’
- Spread:
- 3-8’
- Remarks:
- Red and yellow twig color adds to winter landscape. Variegated leaves on some types. Seasonal interest.
FERNLEAF BUCKTHORN Rhamnus asplenifolia
- Height:
- 10-15
- Spread:
- 6-9’
- Remarks:
- Willow-leafed shrub has an exotic look. Very tough shrub.
FLOWERING QUINCE Chaenomeles species
- Bloom Color:
- White, pink, red
- Bloom Time:
- March-April
- Height:
- 6-10’
- Spread:
- 4-6
- Remarks:
- Stems are loaded with delicate blooms in Spring.
FORSYTHIA Forsythia species
- Bloom Color:
- Yellow
- Bloom Time:
- March-April
- Height:
- 8-10’
- Spread:
- 4-6’
- Remarks:
- Brilliant yellow flowers in early spring.
JUNIPER Juniperus species
- Height:
- 1-6’
- Spread:
- 5-8’
- Remarks:
- Durable evergreen used for screens, hedges and windbreaks.
LILAC Syringa species
- Bloom Color:
- White, lilac, rose-purple
- Bloom Time:
- May
- Height:
- 6-12’
- Spread:
- 6-8
- Remarks:
- Very fragrant blooms on shiny green foliage.
MOCK ORANGE Philadelphus species
- Bloom Color:
- White
- Bloom Time:
- April-May
- Height:
- 6-8’
- Spread:
- 4-8’
- Remarks:
- Very fragrant white blooms cover entire shrub.
NINEBARK Physocarpus opulifolius
- Bloom Color:
- White
- Bloom Time:
- May-June
- Height:
- 5-8’
- Spread:
- 3-5’
- Remarks:
- Blooms and exfoliating bark on this upright shrub. Showy purple-leafed forms available.
PINE Pinus species
- Height:
- 3-8’
- Spread:
- 3-8’
- Remarks:
- Evergreen that is suitable for small spaces, rock gardens. Mugo is a nice choice.
ROSE, SHRUB Rosa rugosa
- Bloom Color:
- White, red, pink, yellow
- Bloom Time:
- June-September
- Height:
- 3-8’
- Spread:
- 4-6’
- Remarks:
- Easy care, lots of color. Some are fragrant. Landscape roses are also drought tolerant.
SERVICEBERRY Amelanchier species
- Bloom Color:
- White
- Bloom Time:
- April-May
- Height:
- 6-12’
- Spread:
- 5-10’
- Remarks:
- White spring blooms followed by edible fruit. Red and orange fall color.
SPIREA Spiraea species
- Bloom Color:
- Pink, white
- Bloom Time:
- May-October
- Height:
- 3-7’
- Spread:
- 3-6’
- Remarks:
- Long blooming if sheared. Excellent fall color.
ST. JOHN’S WORT Hypericum species
- Bloom Color:
- Yellow
- Bloom Time:
- June-July
- Height:
- 3-6’
- Spread:
- 3-6’
- Remarks:
- Sunny yellow flowers on compact shrub.
SUMAC Rhus species
- Bloom Color:
- Red, maroon
- Bloom Time:
- August
- Height:
- 2-15’
- Spread:
- 5-12’
- Remarks:
- Native, withstands heat/drought. Brilliant fall color, fruit set.
VIBURNUM Viburnum species
- Bloom Color:
- White, blush pink
- Bloom Time:
- May-June
- Height:
- 4-18’
- Spread:
- 3-10’
- Remarks:
- Large genus that offers choices for any space. Attributes include: blooms, fruit clusters, fall color.
Perennials
ANEMONE Anemone sylvestris
- Bloom Color:
- White
- Bloom Time:
- May
- Height:
- 18”
- Spread:
- 24-36”
- Remarks:
- Native, vigorous spreader.
ARTEMISIA Artemisia species
- Bloom Color:
- White, very small
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 12-36”
- Spread:
- 18-36”
- Remarks:
- Beautiful silver foliage. Many types available.
ASTER Aster species
- Bloom Color:
- White, purple, pink
- Bloom Time:
- July-September
- Height:
- 12-24”
- Spread:
- 18-36”
- Remarks:
- Prairie asters are very drought tolerant. Pinch back stems in early summer for compact habit.
BABY’S BREATH Gypsophila paniculata
- Bloom Color:
- White
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 36”
- Spread:
- 36”
- Remarks:
- Dwarf cultivar available, great for cut flowers
BASKET-OF-GOLD Aurinia saxatilis
- Bloom Color:
- Gold-yellow
- Bloom Time:
- May
- Height:
- 18”
- Spread:
- 18”
- Remarks:
- Shear after blooming.
BEEBALM Monarda didyma
- Bloom Color:
- Red, pink, purple
- Bloom Time:
- July-September
- Height:
- 18-36”
- Spread:
- 24-36”
- Remarks:
- Dwarf varieties available. Can be very vigorous in growth.
BERGENIA Bergenia cordifolia
- Bloom Color:
- Rose pink
- Bloom Time:
- April-May
- Height:
- 15”
- Spread:
- 18”
- Remarks:
- Glossy, semi evergreen leaves with blooms in spring.
BLACK-EYED SUSAN Rudbeckia species
- Bloom Color:
- Yellow, gold
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 18-24”
- Spread:
- 18-24”
- Remarks:
- Native, daisy-like flowers are great for cutting.
BLANKET FLOWER Gaillardia species
- Bloom Color:
- Crimson red with yellow accents
- Bloom Time:
- June-August
- Height:
- 16-24”
- Spread:
- 16-24”
- Remarks:
- Very drought tolerant. Provide good drainage.
BLUE FALSE INDIGO Baptisia australis
- Bloom Color:
- Indigo blue
- Bloom Time:
- May-June
- Height:
- 36”
- Spread:
- 36”
- Remarks:
- Native prairie plant. Dwarf variety available.
BOLTONIA, FALSE CHAMOMILE Boltonia asteroides
- Bloom Color:
- White, pale pink
- Bloom Time:
- August-October
- Height:
- 36”
- Spread:
- 36-42”
- Remarks:
- Great fall color. Shear back in early summer to prevent from falling over.
BUTTERFLY MILKWEED Asclepias tuberosa
- Bloom Color:
- Orange
- Bloom Time:
- July
- Height:
- 18-24”
- Spread:
- 18”
- Remarks:
- Native prairie plant with clusters of orange flowers
CANDYTUFT Iberis sempervirens
- Bloom Color:
- White
- Bloom Time:
- May
- Height:
- 15”
- Spread:
- 18
- Remarks:
- Shear after blooming
CARNATION, PINKS Dianthus species
- Bloom Color:
- Pink shades, purple, rose
- Bloom Time:
- June-August
- Height:
- 6-18”
- Spread:
- 12-24”
- Remarks:
- Nice blue-green foliage and flowers for cutting.
CATMINT Nepeta species
- Bloom Color:
- Lavender blue
- Bloom Time:
- May-August
- Height:
- 12-18”
- Spread:
- 18-24”
- Remarks:
- Easy to grow and drought tolerant. Blooms persist all season if faded flowers are cut back.
COLUMBINE Aquilegia species
- Bloom Color:
- Blue, purple, red, pink, yellow
- Bloom Time:
- May-July
- Height:
- 12-24”
- Spread:
- 12-24”
- Remarks:
- Versatile plant for sun or shade.
CONEFLOWER Echinacea species
- Bloom Color:
- White, pink, purple
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 18-24”
- Spread:
- 18-24”
- Remarks:
- Drought tolerant native plant.
CONEFLOWER, MEXICAN HAT Ratibida
- Bloom Color:
- Yellow
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 24-36”
- Spread:
- 24-36”
- Remarks:
- Native plant with showy blooms.
CORAL BELLS Heuchera species
- Bloom Color:
- Red, pink
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 8-12”
- Spread:
- 12-18”
- Remarks:
- Leaf colors range from purple to marbled greens. Nice stems of tubular flowers.
CRANESBILL Geranium species
- Bloom Color:
- Blue, rose, pink, white, pale pink, magenta
- Bloom Time:
- May-September
- Height:
- 12-24”
- Spread:
- 12-36”
- Remarks:
- Hardy, dependable plant for any area. Showy blooms. Many sizes and colors.
DAYLILY Hemerocallis species
- Bloom Color:
- Yellow, pink, red and more
- Bloom Time:
- June-September
- Height:
- 18-36”
- Spread:
- 24-36”
- Remarks:
- Many cultivars are repeat bloomers.
FLAX, GOLDEN Linum flavum
- Bloom Color:
- Yellow
- Bloom Time:
- June-July
- Height:
- 12-24”
- Spread:
- 12-24”
- Remarks:
- Dislikes heavy clay soil. Amend soil with gravel.
GAYFEATHER Liatris species
- Bloom Color:
- Purple, white
- Bloom Time:
- July-September
- Height:
- 18-24”
- Spread:
- 18-24”
- Remarks:
- Attractive spiked blooms.
GOLDENROD Solidago species
- Bloom Color:
- Golden yellow
- Bloom Time:
- August-September
- Height:
- 18-36”
- Spread:
- 18-36”
- Remarks:
- Easy to grow, compact hybrids available.
HOSTA Hosta species
- Bloom Color:
- White, lavender
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 12-40”
- Spread:
- 12-40”
- Remarks:
- Many varieties. Drought tolerant once established.
IRIS Iris species
- Bloom Color:
- Purple, blue, white, pink, yellow
- Bloom Time:
- May-June
- Height:
- 12-36”
- Spread:
- 18-24”
- Remarks:
- Drought tolerant and tough. Do not bury rhizomatous root too deep for risk of rotting.
LAMB’S EAR Stachys byzantina
- Bloom Color:
- Pale pink (small)
- Bloom Time:
- July
- Height:
- 12-18”
- Spread:
- 18-36”
- Remarks:
- Great fuzzy silver foliage. Is a vigorous grower that thrives in poor, dry soils.
LEADPLANT Amorpha canescens
- Bloom Color:
- Lavender blue
- Bloom Time:
- June-July
- Height:
- 24-36”
- Spread:
- 18-24”
- Remarks:
- Tough native shrub-like plant.
LENTEN ROSE Helleborus orientalis
- Bloom Color:
- White, rose, purple
- Bloom Time:
- April-May
- Height:
- 18”
- Spread:
- 18”
- Remarks:
- Leathery leaves and nice early spring blooms.
MEADOW SAGE, SALVIA Salvia x sylvestris
- Bloom Color:
- Dark purple, violet
- Bloom Time:
- May-October
- Height:
- 18-24”
- Spread:
- 18-24”
- Remarks:
- Showy spikes of flowers. Shear back all spent flowers to get continual blooms.
OZARK SUNDROPS, EVENING PRIMROSE Oenothera macrocarpa
- Bloom Color:
- Yellow
- Bloom Time:
- May-July
- Height:
- 6-12”
- Spread:
- 24”
- Remarks:
- Large, cup shaped flowers on this native plant. Exceptional drought tolerance.
PENSTEMON, BEARDTONGUE Penstemon species
- Bloom Color:
- Red, purple, rose, white, pink
- Bloom Time:
- June-July
- Height:
- 12-36”
- Spread:
- 18-24”
- Remarks:
- Showy tubular flowers on long stems. Needs well drained soils
PEONY Paeonia lactiflora
- Bloom Color:
- Many
- Bloom Time:
- May-June
- Height:
- 36”
- Spread:
- 36-48”
- Remarks:
- Fragrant, showy spring blooms. Drought tolerant once established.
PINCUSHION FLOWER Scabiosa columbaria
- Bloom Color:
- Lavender blue
- Bloom Time:
- May-September
- Height:
- 12-18”
- Spread:
- 12-18”
- Remarks:
- Showy flowers set on long, tubular stems. Semievergreen foliage.
PITCHER SAGE Salvia azurea
- Bloom Color:
- Blue-violet
- Bloom Time:
- late July-early September
- Height:
- 36-48”
- Spread:
- 36”
- Remarks:
- Native prairie plant. Exceptional drought tolerance.
POPPY MALLOW, WINECUPS Callirhoe involucrata, Callirhoe alcaeoides
- Bloom Color:
- Bright rose-purple, white
- Bloom Time:
- June-August
- Height:
- 12”
- Spread:
- 18”
- Remarks:
- Native groundcover. Excellent drought tolerance.
PURPLE PRAIRIE CLOVER Dalea purpurea
- Bloom Color:
- Purple
- Bloom Time:
- June-July
- Height:
- 12-18”
- Spread:
- 12-18”
- Remarks:
- Native prairie plant with round purple flower heads. Needs excellent drainage.
PUSSYTOES Antennaria species
- Bloom Color:
- White
- Bloom Time:
- June
- Height:
- 6”
- Spread:
- 12”
- Remarks:
- Flower resembles cat’s paw.
RATTLESNAKE MASTER Eryngium yuccifolium
- Bloom Color:
- White
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 24”
- Spread:
- 18”
- Remarks:
- Yucca-like foliage topped with rounded blooms.
ROCK CRESS Arabis caucasica
- Bloom Color:
- White
- Bloom Time:
- May-June
- Height:
- 6”
- Spread:
- 12-18”
- Remarks:
- Variegated foliage available
RUSSIAN SAGE Perovskia atriplicifolia
- Bloom Color:
- Lavender
- Bloom Time:
- July-September
- Height:
- 36-48”
- Spread:
- 36”
- Remarks:
- Delicate silver-gray foliage with spikes of blooms. Exceptional drought tolerance.
SEA LAVENDER Limonium latifolium
- Bloom Color:
- Lavender
- Bloom Time:
- June
- Height:
- 18”
- Spread:
- 18”
- Remarks:
- Easy to grow. Provide good drainage. Nice cut flowers.
SEDUM Sedum species
- Bloom Color:
- Pink, salmon, yellow, white
- Bloom Time:
- July-October
- Height:
- 3-18”
- Spread:
- 12-36”
- Remarks:
- Many types available from ground covers to tall varieties.
SKULLCAP Scutellaria species
- Bloom Color:
- Purple
- Bloom Time:
- June-August
- Height:
- 10-12”
- Spread:
- 12-18”
- Remarks:
- Native variety “Smoky Hills” is very drought tolerant. Shear back after blooms fade for second flush.
SNEEZEWEED, HELEN’S FLOWER Helenium autumnale
- Bloom Color:
- Yellow, orange, red
- Bloom Time:
- August-September
- Height:
- 24-36”
- Spread:
- 24”
- Remarks:
- Native plant. Good with ornamental grasses.
SNOW IN SUMMER Cerastium tomentosum
- Bloom Color:
- White
- Bloom Time:
- May-June
- Height:
- 8”
- Spread:
- 12”
- Remarks:
- Silvery leaves forms carpet.
STOKES’ ASTER Stokesia laevis
- Bloom Color:
- Blue, purple, white
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 12-18”
- Spread:
- 18”
- Remarks:
- Showy blooms. Needs soil that drains well.
THYME Thymus species
- Bloom Color:
- White, lavender
- Bloom Time:
- June-July
- Height:
- 3-6”
- Spread:
- 12-24”
- Remarks:
- Use as ground cover or between paving stones.
TICKSEED Coreopsis species
- Bloom Color:
- Lemon-yellow, gold
- Bloom Time:
- May-September
- Height:
- 12-36”
- Spread:
- 12-36”
- Remarks:
- Cut off spent blooms for continuous color.
VERONICA Veronica species
- Bloom Color:
- Purple, blue, white, rose
- Bloom Time:
- May-August
- Height:
- 2-24”
- Spread:
- 12-24”
- Remarks:
- Many types available from ground covers to upright varieties. Moderately drought tolerant.
VINCA Vinca minor
- Bloom Color:
- Lavender
- Bloom Time:
- May-June
- Height:
- 3-6”
- Spread:
- 36” +
- Remarks:
- Easy to grow groundcover.
YARROW Achillea species
- Bloom Color:
- Yellow, gold, red, rose, orange, pink, white
- Bloom Time:
- June-September
- Height:
- 12-24”
- Spread:
- 18-24”
- Remarks:
- Exceptional drought tolerance. Some species are native. Cut back faded flowers to promote more blooms. Vigorous grower.
YUCCA, SOAPWEED Yucca glauca, Yucca filamentosa
- Bloom Color:
- Creamy white
- Bloom Time:
- June-August
- Height:
- 36”
- Spread:
- 36”
- Remarks:
- Spiny foliage not a good choice for high traffic areas. Yucca glauca is native to central U.S. Extremely drought tolerant.
Ornamental Grasses
BIG BLUESTEM Andropogon gerardii
- Bloom Color:
- Tan seedhead
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 48”
- Spread:
- 24”
- Remarks:
- Native prairie grass. Nice copper fall color.
BLUE FESCUE Festuca glauca
- Bloom Color:
- Tan seedhead
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 12”
- Spread:
- 12”
- Remarks:
- Blue-gray tuft grass is showy when mass planted or at the border of flower beds.
CAREX OR SEDGE GRASS Carex elata, Carex stricta
- Bloom Color:
- Tan seedhead
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 12”
- Spread:
- 12-36”
- Remarks:
- Low growing, spreading groundcover grass with good drought tolerance. Nice variegated varieties available.
FEATHER REED GRASS Calamagrostis x acutiflora
- Bloom Color:
- Tan seedhead
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 36-40”
- Spread:
- 24-36”
- Remarks:
- Soft, green blades with showy seedhead. Upright habit.
LITTLE BLUESTEM Schizachyrium scoparium
- Bloom Color:
- Tan seedhead
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 24-36”
- Spread:
- 18”
- Remarks:
- Nebraska’s state grass. Nice blue-green blades and copper fall color.
MISCANTHUS, SILVER GRASS Miscanthus sinensis
- Bloom Color:
- Tan seedhead
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 3-6’
- Spread:
- 18-24”
- Remarks:
- Some cultivars have showy variegated blades. Nice arching, graceful appearance.
NORTHERN SEA OATS Chasmanthium latifolium
- Bloom Color:
- Tan seedhead
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 30-36”
- Spread:
- 24-36”
- Remarks:
- Unique flat seed head. Reseeds, so plant in confined space or remove seedlings.
PRAIRIE DROPSEED Sporobolus heterolepis
- Bloom Color:
- Tan seedhead
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 24”
- Spread:
- 18”
- Remarks:
- Native prairie grass. Tolerates poor, dry soil. Graceful, narrow blades.
RAVENNA GRASS Saccharum ravennae, Erianthus ravennae
- Bloom Color:
- Tan seedhead
- Bloom Time:
- August
- Height:
- 8-10’
- Spread:
- 3-6”
- Remarks:
- Very large grass with showy plumes. Cut to ground in early spring.
SIDEOATS GRAMA Bouteloua curtipendula
- Bloom Color:
- Tan seedhead
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 36”
- Spread:
- 24”
- Remarks:
- Oat-like seed heads grow to one side of the stem. Good fall color.
SWITCHGRASS Panicum virgatum
- Bloom Color:
- Tan seedhead
- Bloom Time:
- July-August
- Height:
- 4-7’
- Spread:
- 3’
- Remarks:
- Native tall grass. “Prairie Sky” and “Heavy Metal” have blue tones. “Shenandoah” has red tipped blades.
Special Thanks to:
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln Horticulture Department
- Nebraska Statewide Arboretum plantnebraska.org
- Campbell’s Nurseries and Garden Centers
- Finke Gardens and Nursery
- Artwork by Renee’ Lanik, UNL Institute of Agriculture
We encourage you to visit the waterwise gardens at Lincoln Water System 2021 N. 27th Street, Lincoln
PDF Version of Brochure (337 K)