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Tripsacum dactyloides (Eastern gama grass)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.6m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
1-2 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Tripsacum dactyloides
Other names
Eastern gama grass, Gama grass, Gamma grass, Fakahatchee grass, Eastern gamagrass
Genus
Tripsacum Tripsacum
Species
T. dactyloides - T. dactyloides is a vigorous, clump-forming, evergreen to deciduous perennial with erect to arching, broadly linear, flat, dark green leaves and, from late spring to early autumn, slender flower spikes bearing male flowers with orange stamens and female flowers with purple stigmas.
Tripsacum dactyloides is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming, Erect
Flower
Purple, Orange, Green in Spring; Purple, Green, Orange in Summer; Green, Orange, Purple in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Cut back to the ground if leaves are killed by frost.
Propagation
Divide in spring. Tends to spread by rhizomes or self-seeding.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Tripsacum dactyloides (Eastern gama grass) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Woodland, Waterside, Prairie planting, Containers
Cultivation
Best in moist soil in full or partial shade. Tolerates most conditions if soil remains moist. Tolerates standing water. Evergreen in mild areas. Frost will kill leaves to the ground.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moisture-retentive, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
These easy to grow plant provide a good doil for other more colourful plants.
Botanical name
Tripsacum dactyloides
Other names
Eastern gama grass, Gama grass, Gamma grass, Fakahatchee grass, Eastern gamagrass
Genus
Tripsacum Tripsacum
Species
T. dactyloides - T. dactyloides is a vigorous, clump-forming, evergreen to deciduous perennial with erect to arching, broadly linear, flat, dark green leaves and, from late spring to early autumn, slender flower spikes bearing male flowers with orange stamens and female flowers with purple stigmas.
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming, Erect
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Colour
Flower
Purple, Orange, Green in Spring; Purple, Green, Orange in Summer; Green, Orange, Purple in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Cut back to the ground if leaves are killed by frost.
Propagation
Divide in spring. Tends to spread by rhizomes or self-seeding.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Tripsacum dactyloides (Eastern gama grass) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Woodland, Waterside, Prairie planting, Containers
Cultivation
Best in moist soil in full or partial shade. Tolerates most conditions if soil remains moist. Tolerates standing water. Evergreen in mild areas. Frost will kill leaves to the ground.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moisture-retentive, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moisture-retentive, Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
These easy to grow plant provide a good doil for other more colourful plants.
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