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Pityopsis spp.
silkgrasses
Eastern, central, and southeastern North America, south into Mexico and Central America
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Pityopsis spp. is a genus of about 7 to 10 perennial herbs in the aster family (Asteraceae), the silkgrasses, native to North and Central America. The narrow, grass-like leaves are densely covered in silvery silky hairs, giving the foliage a silver-green sheen and the genus its common name. Plants form low tufts or spreading colonies from rhizomes, with flowering stems rising 8-32 in (20-80 cm) tall. In late summer and autumn the stems carry loose clusters of yellow daisy-like flower heads 0.5-1 in (1.3-2.5 cm) across, each with golden ray and disk florets. The leaves grade from longer basal blades 4-12 in (10-30 cm) long to short stem leaves. Pityopsis graminifolia, narrowleaf silkgrass, is the widest-ranging species and grows through pine woodlands, sandhills, and dry roadsides of the southeastern United States. The genus tolerates poor, sandy, droughty soils and open sun, spreading slowly into colonies where established. Foliage may persist over mild winters and die back in colder zones.
Native Range
Pityopsis spp. is native to eastern, central, and southeastern North America, extending south into Mexico and Central America. The plants grow in dry, open habitats such as pine flatwoods, sandhills, prairies, and rocky or sandy roadsides. P. graminifolia ranges across the southeastern United States from Delaware to Florida and west to Texas.Suggested Uses
Planted in dry meadows, rock gardens, sandy borders, pine-woodland gardens, and naturalized roadside plantings where the silver foliage and late-season flowers extend interest. The flowers draw bees and butterflies in autumn. Spaced 12-18 in (30-45 cm) apart, with room for rhizomes to spread.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'8"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Silvery silver-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Pityopsis spp. grows in full sun on dry, sandy, or rocky soil with sharp drainage and tolerates a soil pH of about 5.0 to 7.0. Established plants are drought tolerant and grow poorly in rich, moist, or heavy soils, where the silvery foliage thins and crowns can rot. Most species are hardy across USDA zones 5-9 and spread slowly by rhizomes into open colonies. The genus has few pest or disease problems. Plants tolerate heat, infertile ground, and occasional fire, which suits them to naturalized and low-input plantings.Pruning
Little pruning is needed. Spent flowering stems are cut back in late autumn or late winter to tidy the clump. Plants are divided in spring to control colony spread or to propagate.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons