A Grass Matrix Planting Designed to Give Back To Nature

According to Doug Tallamy, there are four ecological functions a landscape should strive for: 

1. They must support a diverse community of pollinators throughout the growing season.
2. They must provide energy for the local food web.
3. They must manage the watershed in which they lie.
4. They must remove carbon from the atmosphere where it is wreaking havoc on the earth’s climate.

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Recently, Christa Orum-Keller, owner and chairman of Midwest Groundcovers nursery headquartered in St. Charles, Illinois, identified 7,500 square feet of underutilized garden space. Tucked behind the north side of the nursery entrance and mostly hidden from view this large swath of monoculture grass did little to give back to nature.  As a champion of sustainability and native plants, Christa saw this space as an opportunity to meet Doug Tallamy’s four goals. She collaborated with renowned plantsman Roy Diblik and native plant production manager Enrique Rodriguez to create a native garden space that merges functionality with aesthetics.

Consideration of the soil type was a driving factor in determining which species to utilize in the planting. The garden consists of 1,500 square feet of moist soil and 6, 000 square feet of dry soil. In the wet area which dips around a culvert the sedges Carex stricta (Tussock Sedge), Carex muskingumensis (Palm Sedge), and Carex brevior (Plains Oval Sedge) were used.

The remaining  6,000 square feet of dry soil features three primary species of grasses incorporating 1,500 plugs each of Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) and Sporobolus heterolepis, (Prairie Dropseed), and 600 plugs of Koeleria macrantha (June Grass). 1,800 plugs of Carex brevior are included for their lower profile and complementary habit.

Schizachyrium scoparium: A clumping warm season grass with an upright habit. Grows 3-4’ high, 18” – 24” wide and displays beautiful orange-bronze fall color.

Sporobolus heterolepis: A clumping warm season grass that is considered one of the most versatile native plants for contemporary landscapes. Growing 24”-36” high and wide, the flowers and seed heads have a scent often described as buttered popcorn.

Koeleria macrantha: A cool season grass that grows 18”-24” tall and 12”-18” wide. June Grass mixes well with other species and attracts game birds, songbirds, small mammals and grazing animals.

The planting design is organized into six groupings, each consisting of 250 plants of Schizachyrium scoparium and Sporobolus heterolepis. Interspersed among these grasses are smaller clusters of Penstemon, Aster, Geraniums, and Coneflowers, which add colorful accents to the garden. The Carex brevior move as a wave through the matrix of grasses, weaving the planting together.

In all, 18 different native plant species made up the 5,500 native plants used to turn this once lackluster space into a thriving ecological landscape. In the coming years, this low maintenance, visually appealing garden will help with both water conservation and habitat creation. Stay tuned – plans are currently underway to add an additional native planting on the south side of the front entrance as well!