Scratchgrass: The Unassuming Native Grass That Gets the Job Done
If you’re looking for a grass that wins beauty contests, scratchgrass (Muhlenbergia asperifolia) probably isn’t your first choice. But if you need a tough, adaptable native that can handle challenging conditions while providing important ecological functions, this humble perennial grass might just be your new best friend.
What Is Scratchgrass?
Scratchgrass is a native North American perennial grass that’s been quietly doing important work across the continent for centuries. Also known by its scientific name Muhlenbergia asperifolia, this rhizomatous grass forms spreading colonies that can reach up to 2 feet tall. Don’t let the name fool you – while it may not be the softest grass underfoot, it’s an ecological workhorse.
This species belongs to the grass family and exhibits the typical growth form you’d expect from a hardy prairie grass. It has a moderate growth rate and develops through underground rhizomes, creating interconnected colonies over time.
Where Scratchgrass Calls Home
One of scratchgrass’s most impressive features is its incredible geographic range. This adaptable native spans an enormous territory, growing naturally across much of North America. You’ll find it thriving from the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan, all the way down through most of the continental United States.
In the U.S., scratchgrass grows in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. That’s a lot of territory for one humble grass!
Why You Might (Or Might Not) Want Scratchgrass
Let’s be honest – scratchgrass isn’t going to win any awards for curb appeal. With its yellow-green foliage, inconspicuous purple flowers, and overall utilitarian appearance, this grass is more function than form. However, there are several compelling reasons why you might want to consider it:
- Erosion control champion: Its rhizomatous growth habit makes it excellent for stabilizing soil
- Wetland restoration hero: Classified as a facultative wetland plant across all regions
- Tough as nails: Handles alkaline soils, salt, and challenging conditions
- Low maintenance: Once established, it pretty much takes care of itself
- Native plant gardens: Perfect for naturalized landscapes and prairie restorations
On the flip side, scratchgrass might not be right for you if you’re looking for:
- A showstopping ornamental grass
- Something for a formal landscape design
- A grass that stays put (it spreads via rhizomes)
- High wildlife value for pollinators (it’s wind-pollinated)
Perfect Growing Conditions
Scratchgrass is remarkably adaptable, which explains its vast natural range. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3-9, tolerating winter temperatures as low as -18°F. This grass prefers:
- Soil: Adapts to medium and fine-textured soils, handles alkaline conditions (pH 6.0-8.4)
- Moisture: High water use, typically found in wetland areas but can handle some drought
- Sun exposure: Shade tolerant, making it versatile for various light conditions
- Special conditions: Excellent salt tolerance and can handle anaerobic conditions
The plant requires at least 120 frost-free days and grows well in areas receiving 12-40 inches of annual precipitation. Its facultative wetland status across all regions means it’s happiest with consistent moisture but won’t throw a tantrum in drier conditions.
Planting and Care Tips
Growing scratchgrass successfully is refreshingly straightforward:
- Propagation: Can be grown from seed or sprigs, though commercial availability is limited
- Planting density: Use 11,000-18,000 plants per acre for establishment
- Best planting time: Spring through early summer for optimal establishment
- Soil prep: Minimal soil preparation needed due to its adaptability
- Fertilization: Low fertility requirements – often thrives without supplemental feeding
- Maintenance: Very low maintenance once established
Keep in mind that scratchgrass has slow initial establishment and low seedling vigor, so patience is key during the first growing season. Once established, it spreads at a moderate rate through its rhizomatous root system.
Best Uses in the Garden
Scratchgrass shines in specific landscape applications:
- Rain gardens and bioswales: Its wetland status makes it perfect for managing stormwater
- Erosion control: Excellent for slopes and areas prone to soil loss
- Naturalized areas: Ideal for prairie restorations and native plant gardens
- Problem areas: Handles salty, alkaline, or consistently moist soils where other plants struggle
- Wildlife habitat: Provides cover and nesting material for ground-dwelling wildlife
The Bottom Line
Scratchgrass may not be the most glamorous plant in your garden center, but it’s definitely one of the most practical. If you’re working on a restoration project, need erosion control, or want to support native plant communities in challenging conditions, this tough little grass deserves serious consideration. Just remember – you’re not planting it for its looks, but for its incredible ability to thrive where others give up and provide essential ecological services.
For gardeners seeking a low-maintenance native that can handle whatever Mother Nature throws at it, scratchgrass proves that sometimes the most unassuming plants are exactly what we need.
