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Native grasses in partial sun #867141

Asked May 05, 2024, 7:51 PM EDT

We have a 6 foot wide by 18 foot long area next to an alley, which gets sanded and salted in the winter. Dogwood, lilacs and another bush limped along there until we've removed them over the years. We have large maple trees and an evergreen in the yard inside the fence blocking sunlight intermittently from 10 am to 6pm. A 5 to 6 foot tall, erect not floppy, native grass such as Panicum Varigatum Northwinds is what we'd like to plant in this site now. Can it tolerate 3 to 5 hours full sunlight from east, south and west exposures, and partial sunlight the other daylight hours? What is the best way to protect the soil from salt and sand?

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Veronica,

There's really no way to protect plants on the side of an alley from salt. Plants will get sprayed with salt when cars drive by and salt will seep into adjacent soil.

North Carolina extension says panicum is somewhat salt-tolerant: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/panicum-virgatum/

From the University of Washington:

https://depts.washington.edu/hortlib/pal/ornamental-grasses-that-tolerate-salt-water/

"Northwinds" is more likely to stand upright in full sun. Any sun-loving ornamental grass may flop a bit in partial sun.

Other commonly available grasses that tolerate salt include little bluestem and calamagrostis "Karl Foerster," which stands very straight even in partial shade.

Good luck.

MJ Replied May 05, 2024, 10:05 PM EDT

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