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Indian Grass 'Indian Steel' (Sorghastrum nutans): A Metallic-Blue Native Prairie Grass

Indian Grass 'Indian Steel' is a cultivar of Sorghastrum nutans, a dominant grass of the North American tallgrass prairie. This selection is prized for its striking metallic-blue foliage that adds a cool tone to the summer garden.

Form and Color

This warm-season grass forms upright clumps 4–5 feet tall. The leaves are narrow and distinctly blue-gray. In late summer, golden-bronze flower panicles rise above the foliage on slender stems, creating a beautiful contrast. Fall color is a rich orange-bronze. The persistent seed heads provide winter interest and food for birds.

Native Adaptability

Sorghastrum nutans is deep-rooted and extremely drought-tolerant. It thrives in full sun and poor to average, well-drained soils. It is an excellent choice for prairie restorations, meadow gardens, and low-maintenance landscapes. Cut back in late winter.

Family:	Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee) (Info)
Genus:	Sorghastrum (sor-GAS-trum) (Info)
Species:	nutans (NUT-ans) (Info)
Cultivar:	Indian Steel

Grasses and Bamboo: Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens); Palm Grass (Setaria palmifolia); Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans); Centipede Grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides): A Low-Maintenance, Acid-Loving Lawn Grass; Egyptian Grass (Dactyloctenium aegyptium): A Spreading Annual Grass with Crowfoot Seed Heads; Bear Grass (Xerophyllum tenax): Iconic Western Native for Fire-Adapted Landscapes; Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea nana): Dwarf Australian Grasstree; Feather Grass (Stipa pennata): A European Steppe Grass with Silky, Flowing Awns; Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo): Fast-Growing Shade and Timber Tree; Liriope minor: Monkey Grass – Dwarf Lily Turf for Edging

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