Flower Garden - Tips on Growing Eragrostis-Wind Dancer From Seeds

• Elliott's lovegrass produces relatively low, clumps of wiry, blue-green blades in tones of silvery gray. It blooms sporadically through the year but tends to flower the heaviest in fall. Scores of stems arise topped with fine, airy flowers that form light beige seedheads after pollination. The flowers are easily tussled in the breeze and lend a light look to the garden.

• Full to partial sun and well-drained, average soil are required for best growth. It naturally grows on sandy soils and is quite tolerant of both drought and moist soil conditions. As with most grasses, the previous year’s foliage should be pruned back each spring before new growth appears. Weeping lovegrass has few pest and disease problems aside from occasional rust.

• The finely textured foliage of Elliott's lovegrass is most spectacular when planted in airy sweeps and especially becoming against a backdrop of ornamentals with large, bold leaves. Plants self-sow but not aggressively.

• Characteristics

  • USDA Hardiness Zone
    6 - 11
  • Sunset Zone
    8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  • Plant Type
    Grass
  • Sun Exposure
    Full Sun, Partial Sun
  • Height
    2"-3" / 5.1cm - 7.6cm
  • Width
    2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
  • Bloom Time
    Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
  • Native To
    Southeastern United States, Caribbean

To be sure about pH, test the soil with a pH meter. Apply fertilizer and lime using the results of the soil test as a guide.

• It is recommended that you use a relatively inexpensive, and follow the manufacturers instructions when testing the pH Level of your Gardens soil. To raise or lower the pH level in the soil either Limestone or Sulfur is utilized. Other materials will accomplish the same results; however the two that are listed are the most commonly used.

• Limestone is added to the soil to raise the pH level because limestone is essentially calcium and calcium reacts with water in the soil to yield hydroxyl ions .. a process known as, hydrolysis = thus the pH level in the soil is raised.

• Sulfur reacts with bacteria in the soil and produces sulfuric acid, which releases hydrogen ions thus causing the soil to become more acidic =the pH level is lowered. 

Application Of Lime (To Raise Soil pH)

To increase your pH by 1.0 point and make your soil more alkaline.

• Add 4 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard in sandy soils

• Add 8 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard in loamy soils

• Add 12 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard in clay soils

• Add 25 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard in peaty soils

• The addition of ash, bone meal, or crushed oyster shells will also help to raise soil pH levels.

Application of Sulfur (To Lower Soil pH)

If your soil needs to be more acidic, sulfur will lower the pH if it is available.

To reduce the soil pH by 1.0 point

• Mix in 1.2 oz of ground rock sulfur per square yard if the soil is sandy

• Mix in 3.6 oz per square yard for all other soils.

• Composted leaves, wood chips, sawdust, leaf mold and peat moss, will also help to lower the soil pH.