Introduction
Marsh grass is a robust ornamental grass that can form clumps that are 18 to 20 feet in diameter. This grass may grow from 3 to 4 feet tall, and its fine-textured, wiry leaves form a fountain spray pattern. The upper surfaces of the leaves are dark green, but the lower surfaces are light green in color. The obscure flowers of this plant may occur in the early spring but are relatively scarce. The seed heads of this grass are generally 2 to 8 inches long, but the plant reproduces mainly by rhizomes.
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS
General Information
Scientific name: Spartina bakeri
Pronunciation: spar-TYE-nuh BAY-ker-rye
Common name(s): marsh grass, sand cordgrass
Family: Poaceae
Plant type: herbaceous; ornamental grass
USDA hardiness zones: 8B through 11 (Figure 2)
Planting month for zone 8: year-round
Planting month for zone 9: year-round
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year-round
Origin: native to Florida
Invasive potential: aggressive, spreading plant
Uses: reclamation plant; accent; border; edging; mass planting
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant
Credit:
Description
Height: 3 to 4 feet
Spread: 3 to 5 feet
Plant habit: vase shape
Plant density: moderate
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: fine
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Leaf shape: linear
Leaf venation: parallel
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: more than 36 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: brown or tan
Fall characteristic: showy
Flower
Flower color: brown
Flower characteristic: fall flowering
Fruit
Fruit shape: unknown
Fruit length: unknown
Fruit cover: unknown
Fruit color: unknown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: typically multi-trunked or clumping stems
Current year stem/twig color: not applicable
Current year stem/twig thickness: medium
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in full sun
Soil tolerances: extended flooding; acidic; slightly alkaline; sand; loam; clay
Drought tolerance: high
Soil salt tolerances: good
Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches
Other
Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: plant has winter interest due to unusual form, nice persistent fruits, showy winter trunk, or winter flowers
Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more
Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant
Use and Management
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.
Grow marsh grass in full sun or light shade on medium dry to wet soils. This plant can tolerate periodic flooding during the growing season and will grow well on the margins of sand ponds and freshwater marshes. Spartina patens and Spartina alterniflora are tolerant of saline water and often grow in coastal saltwater mashes.
Pests and Diseases
No pests or diseases are of major concern.
