Does anyone have any experience growing Tridens flavus aka purpletop in north central Texas? I saw it in the Native American Seed catalog and am wondering if the spikes will stand tall or flop over if grown in almost full shade / heavily dappled shade? The catalog says it will take full shade, but in cross checking to the USDA website, it says full sun. NPIN says grow it in part shade. USDA also says to sow seed in spring, but many seeds do better if sown in the fall in north central TX. I am wanting to put this grass near the house by my kitchen windows, underneath a very tall bird feeder. So I was thinking if I try this grass, I might try to start the seeds in pots, vs direct sown in the ground (under the bird feeder), as I don't think any seed would survive the birds eating them if I spread the seeds directly in the soil. Also, what months of the year does it put on its purple seed heads? I would appreciate hearing any insights, experiences as to starting these seeds in pots and you sharing your knowledge & opinions on growing this native grass in Texas zone 8. Thanks:)
native TX grass: Tridens flavus aka Purpletop
Sorry, I don't do much with grasses so I can't help a lot.
The only ones I have started from seed are Inland Seaoats and Mexican Feathergrass.
I was able to get some of my questions above answered at last night's native plant society meeting. Suzanne Tuttle was the guest speaker & her topic was prairie ecology. As the manager of the Ft. Worth Nature Center & Refuge, she was able to tell me that tridens flavus / purpletop grass does grow in the Ft. Worth prairie as a native savannah plant, typically under the outside leaf canopy of post oaks. So the grass will handle the shade. I plan to make a trip out to the FWNCR to try to observe this plant in its natural locale so I can try to mimic those conditions. I am going to ask around if Bluestem Nusery (specializes in native grasses) will have any purpletop for sale at any of the upcoming fall native plant sales, and if not, then I will gamble with some seeds on my own. Wish me luck!
Well, it looks like you are on your way to having all your answers and maybe the grass.
Good job!!