Upland Bentgrass: A Versatile Native Grass for Naturalized Landscapes
Looking for a low-maintenance native grass that won’t take over your garden but still provides excellent ground cover? Meet upland bentgrass (Agrostis perennans), a delightfully adaptable perennial that’s been quietly doing its job across North America for centuries. While it may not win any beauty contests, this humble grass has some serious practical benefits that make it worth considering for the right garden situation.
What Is Upland Bentgrass?
Upland bentgrass is a native perennial grass that grows throughout most of North America. Don’t let the upland name fool you – this adaptable plant can handle both wet and dry conditions, making it more versatile than its common name suggests. Reaching a mature height of about 3.5 feet, it forms a rhizomatous growth pattern, which means it spreads gradually through underground stems rather than aggressive surface runners.
The grass produces small, inconspicuous green flowers in midsummer, followed by brown seeds that persist through fall. Its fine to medium-textured foliage stays green through the growing season, and while it’s not particularly showy, it provides a nice backdrop for more colorful native plants.
Where Does It Grow Naturally?
This grass is a true North American native, found naturally from Canada down to the Gulf states and from the Atlantic coast west to the Great Plains. You’ll find it growing in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, plus several Canadian provinces.
Should You Plant Upland Bentgrass?
Here’s where upland bentgrass really shines – it’s perfect for those tricky spots where you need something reliable but not aggressive. Consider it if you:
- Want to create a naturalized meadow or prairie garden
- Need erosion control on slopes or disturbed areas
- Have areas with variable moisture conditions
- Want to add native grasses to woodland edge plantings
- Need groundcover that won’t outcompete other native plants
However, upland bentgrass might not be your best choice if you’re looking for a dramatic focal point or need something that establishes quickly. It has a moderate growth rate and low seedling vigor, so patience is required.
Growing Conditions and Care
One of upland bentgrass’s best qualities is its adaptability. Here’s what it prefers:
- Soil: Adapts to fine and medium-textured soils; pH between 5.5-7.5
- Moisture: High moisture use but surprisingly drought tolerant once established
- Light: Intermediate shade tolerance – perfect for woodland edges
- Hardiness: Cold hardy to -33°F (suitable for USDA zones 3-9)
- Fertility: Medium fertility requirements
Wetland Adaptability
Here’s where upland bentgrass gets interesting – its wetland status varies by region, making it incredibly adaptable:
- In most eastern regions, it’s considered facultative upland, meaning it usually prefers drier sites but can handle some moisture
- In the Great Plains and Midwest, it’s truly facultative, equally comfortable in wet or dry conditions
- In western mountains and coastal areas, it leans toward wetland conditions
This regional variation makes it an excellent choice for rain gardens or areas with fluctuating moisture levels.
Planting and Establishment
Upland bentgrass is typically grown from seed, and you’ll need about 8 million seeds per pound (they’re tiny!). Here are some tips for success:
- Sow seeds in spring after the last frost
- Barely cover seeds – they need some light to germinate
- Keep soil consistently moist during establishment
- Be patient – seedling vigor is low, so establishment takes time
- No cold stratification required, making spring seeding straightforward
Wildlife and Ecosystem Benefits
While upland bentgrass may not be a pollinator magnet (it’s wind-pollinated), it plays important ecological roles. The grass provides habitat structure for small wildlife, and its seeds, though not abundant, can feed birds and small mammals. Its rhizomatous growth habit also helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
The Bottom Line
Upland bentgrass won’t be the star of your garden, but it’s the kind of reliable supporting player that makes everything else look better. If you’re creating naturalized areas, need erosion control, or want to add authentic native grasses to your landscape, this adaptable perennial deserves consideration. Just remember to be patient during establishment – good things come to those who wait, and upland bentgrass is definitely one of the good things.
With its broad native range, adaptable nature, and low-maintenance requirements, upland bentgrass proves that sometimes the most valuable plants are the ones that quietly do their job without demanding attention.
