Plant DetailShow Menu

Spartina bakeri

Phonetic Spelling
SPAR-tin-ah bay-KAIR-eye
Description

Spartina bakeri, or Marsh Grass, is a species of large, perennial grass native to the southeastern United States and Texas, where it grows along the Atlantic coast and in inland freshwater habitat in Florida. This species forms dense bunches up to 20 feet wide with stems up to 4 feet tall. It blooms from spring to fall and usually occurs in wetlands, but occasionally found in non-wetlands. The wiry leaves are light green on the undersides and darker on top. During winter the plant is more brown than during summer, when it is brownish-green.  This grass grows in aquatic and semiaquatic habitat, including beaches, ponds, and more upland sites and is highly salt tolerant. It may be used to control erosion and can tolerate flooding.  It can be grown as an ornamental and spreads through rhizomes.

Marsh grass can be used as an accent or border and is striking when planted in a mass. Space plants about 3 to 4 feet apart to form a mass of foliage several years after planting. It is a good native grass for use on the shorelines of ponds and streams and is exquisite when backlit by the sun. It also is suited for planting in and around water retention and detention areas because of its tolerance for wet soil.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:

No known problems.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#salt tolerant#accent plant#mass planting#showy stems#pond margins#NC native#border planting#native ornamental grass#wet soils tolerant#coastal plant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#salt tolerant#accent plant#mass planting#showy stems#pond margins#NC native#border planting#native ornamental grass#wet soils tolerant#coastal plant#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Spartina
    Species:
    bakeri
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern United States
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Salt tolerant
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Dense
    Mounding
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Good Drainage
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Inflorescence 3 to 7 inches long, comprised of 3-14 branches that ascend near the axis; flowers conspicuous, only on the undersides of the branches; spikelets flattened.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The wiry leaves are light green on the undersides and darker on top. Its 2 foot 6 inch erect leaves are almost completely rolled and tapered to sharp points making it look somewhat rush-like.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems clump-forming, 3 to 6 ft. tall
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Pond
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Salt
    Wet Soil