Hesperostipa spartea (Porcupine Grass) seed packet

$4.50$60.00

Hesperostipa spartea Minimum 10 seeds per packet

Approximately 120 seeds per gram

Spring or fall sow for better germination

Common Name: Porcupine Grass

Family: Poaceae (Grass family)

Height: 60–120 cm (2–4 ft)

Light Requirements: Full sun

Soil Conditions: Well-drained soils; grows in sandy, loamy, or rocky conditions

Moisture: Drought-tolerant once established

Native Range: Great Plains and prairie regions of central North America; less common in Alberta but suitable for dry prairie gardens and restorations

Life Cycle: Perennial

Growth Form: Bunchgrass

Flowers/Seeds: Blooms in late spring to early summer with tall, airy flowering stems; showy seeds with long, spiraled awns mature in summer

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SKU: Porcupine Grass Categories: ,

Description

Product Description: Porcupine Grass (Hesperostipa spartea) is a striking native bunchgrass named for its sharp, elongated seed awns that resemble porcupine quills. These unique seeds twist and drill into the soil, a natural adaptation that ensures strong establishment in wild landscapes.This tall, graceful grass brings vertical interest and motion to native gardens, prairie restorations, and erosion control projects. Its upright form, showy flowering stems, and shimmering seed heads make it as ornamental as it is ecologically valuable. A deep root system enables excellent drought resistance and soil stabilization, while also supporting soil health and carbon capture.

Why Grow Porcupine Grass?Iconic tallgrass prairie speciesSupports grassland biodiversity and ground-nesting birdsExcellent for restoration, reclamation, and wildflower mixesDeep-rooted and drought-hardyAdds height and movement to landscape designs

Note: Like other needlegrasses (Hesperostipa spp.), the long, twisting awns can tangle in fur, socks, or fleece. Best suited for areas without heavy foot or pet traffic.

Shipping & Returns

Shipping

Please verify your address before submitting your order. For rural addresses, use your PO Box.

To manually enter your address, input a placeholder (e.g., 123 Fake Street) to trigger the “enter address manually” option. For further assistance, call us at 403-889-4795, Mon-Fri, 9 AM – 5 PM.

Order Fulfillment:

  • Allow 3-5 business days for order processing.
  • Shipping via Canada Post; delivery times vary by location. Seed packet shipments via Lettermail are not tracked or insured.

Lettermail (Standard Shipping):

  • 2 days for local mail
  • 3 days within Alberta
  • 4 days for national mail

Tracked Shipping (Canada Post Expedited, Xpresspost, Priority):

  • 1-4 days for most locations
  • Insurance up to $100

Live plants ship between May and September. Overwintered live plants may not ship until June 15. We will confirm shipping dates with you.

For orders over $100, we recommend tracked shipping to avoid loss. If you need insurance for your entire order, please contact us for a custom invoice.

For questions, email [email protected].

Seed Germination Support:

Need help with native seed germination? Click here.

Returns

Credit card fees are non-refundable except in cases of inventory errors or plant loss.

Seeds cannot be returned once shipped or picked up. A 25% restocking fee applies to orders that have already been filled.

Live plants:

  • Refunds requested after 14 days from the order date are subject to a 25% restocking fee.
  • Exchanges are allowed only if the order has not been filled.
  • Refunds due to plant loss (e.g., winter kill) are exempt from fees.
  • Once an order is filled, a 25% restocking fee applies to returns and exchanges, provided the plants can be restocked.
  • If an order is not picked up on time and the plants can no longer be restocked, refunds and exchanges are not available.
  • No returns or exchanges are accepted once live plants have been shipped or picked up, except in cases of damage. If your plants arrive damaged, please take photos and contact us immediately.