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Maiden grass and Prairie dropseed: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Maiden grass Miscanthus sinensis	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Prairie dropseed Sporobolus heterolepis
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Eastern Asia	Canada to U.S.A.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Full sun
Soil moisture
Average moisture; tolerates dry or occasionally wet soil	Dry soil / Average moisture
Mature height
4–12 ft	2–3 ft
Mature spread
4–6 ft	2–3 ft
USDA hardiness zones
5–9	3–9
Season of interest
Late summer–fall plumes; winter structure	Summer–Fall
Garden & wildlife value
Birds are attracted to its seeds.	Native seeds feed sparrows and juncos, while foliage feeds prairie insects.
Growing notes
A tall, clumping grass that can spread by seed. Size and seed production vary among cultivars.	Slow to establish but long lived; use well-drained soil and leave the clump for winter texture.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.