Pinewoods Fingergrass: A Delicate Native Grass for Southern Gardens
If you’re looking for a graceful, low-maintenance grass that brings a soft, naturalistic touch to your landscape, pinewoods fingergrass (Eustachys petraea) might just be the perfect addition to your garden. This charming perennial grass, also known simply as finger grass, offers the kind of effortless beauty that makes you wonder why more gardeners don’t know about it.
What is Pinewoods Fingergrass?
Pinewoods fingergrass is a delicate perennial grass native to the southeastern United States. Don’t let the scientific name Eustachys petraea intimidate you – this plant is actually quite approachable and easy-going. You might also see it listed under its older botanical name, Chloris petraea, but it’s the same lovely grass either way.
Where Does It Naturally Grow?
This adaptable grass calls the southeastern United States home, where it thrives naturally from North Carolina down to Texas and throughout the Gulf Coast states. You’ll also find it native to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It has established itself in Hawaii and some Pacific islands, though it’s considered non-native there (more on that below).
Currently, you can find pinewoods fingergrass growing in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Hawaii, and various U.S. territories including Guam, Palau, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Should You Plant Pinewoods Fingergrass?
The answer depends on where you live! If you’re gardening in the southeastern United States, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, this native grass can be a wonderful addition to your landscape. However, there’s an important caveat: pinewoods fingergrass has shown it can naturalize outside its native range (as it has in Hawaii), so it’s worth being mindful of its self-seeding tendencies.
The Good News:
- It’s a true native in much of the Southeast
- Low maintenance once established
- Adds graceful texture to gardens
- Tolerates a range of conditions
- Provides habitat structure for wildlife
Things to Consider:
- Can self-seed and spread beyond where you plant it
- May not be the best choice if you prefer highly controlled garden designs
- Consider native alternatives if you’re outside its natural range
Garden Design and Landscape Use
Pinewoods fingergrass shines in naturalistic garden designs where its soft, airy texture can really show off. It’s perfect for:
- Native plant gardens and natural landscapes
- Coastal gardens (thanks to its salt tolerance)
- Low-maintenance groundcover areas
- Erosion control on slopes
- Mixed grass plantings
- Wildlife-friendly gardens
The delicate seed heads add movement and catch the light beautifully, making this grass particularly appealing when planted where it can sway in the breeze.
Growing Conditions and Care
One of the best things about pinewoods fingergrass is how adaptable it is. This grass typically thrives in USDA hardiness zones 8-11, making it perfect for southern gardens.
Preferred Growing Conditions:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained soils; quite adaptable to different soil types
- Water: Drought tolerant once established
- Salt tolerance: Handles coastal conditions well
Wetland Status:
Pinewoods fingergrass is classified as Facultative Upland in most regions, meaning it usually prefers non-wetland areas but can occasionally tolerate wetter conditions. In Hawaii, it’s considered Obligate Upland, almost never occurring in wetlands.
Planting and Care Tips
Getting pinewoods fingergrass established is refreshingly straightforward:
- Planting: Best planted in spring or early fall when temperatures are moderate
- Spacing: Allow adequate space as this grass can spread naturally
- Watering: Water regularly during establishment, then reduce as the plant becomes drought tolerant
- Maintenance: Cut back in late winter before new growth begins if desired
- Fertilizing: Generally unnecessary – native grasses prefer lean soils
Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
Like most grasses, pinewoods fingergrass is wind-pollinated, so it won’t attract bees and butterflies the way flowering plants do. However, it still provides valuable benefits to wildlife:
- Seeds provide food for birds
- Provides shelter and nesting material for small wildlife
- Adds structural diversity to native plant communities
- Supports the broader ecosystem as part of natural grassland habitats
The Bottom Line
Pinewoods fingergrass can be a lovely addition to southeastern gardens, especially if you’re drawn to native plants and naturalistic designs. Its graceful form and low-maintenance nature make it appealing, but do keep an eye on its spreading tendencies. If you’re gardening outside its native range, consider choosing grasses that are truly native to your area instead.
For those in the Southeast looking to add authentic native character to their landscapes, pinewoods fingergrass offers that perfect combination of beauty and ecological authenticity that makes native gardening so rewarding.
