Toronto Native Tallgrass Prairie Grasses: Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, Switchgrass & Indiangrass

The “Big Four” native prairie warm-season grasses are big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans). As part of the Great Lakes ecosystem, Toronto is home to all Big Four.

Among them, big bluestem is the most common in the wild. It can be found along the banks of the Don River across East Toronto. Featured with turkey-foot seed heads, this 8–10 ft tall grass is hard to miss.

Switchgrass is also a major species in prairie grasslands. It is the most versatile grass among these four. It can serve as animal feed, biomass, and ornamental grass. The major streets of Richmond Hill in York Region are decorated with switchgrass.

Indiangrass is the most ornamental grass among the Big Four. It gives off a refreshing aroma when in bloom. It is one of the most enjoyable sights when the bronze seed heads dance in the wind, forming a sea of waving flags. However, Indiangrass is extremely hard to find both in and out of the city.

Little bluestem is also difficult to find. I tried to grow some myself. Yet, the native grass I grew gave up to introduced white clover. Now my little bluestem is gone.

I am busy growing milkweeds, in my tiny Toronto garden, so there is no room for tall grasses. If I had space, I would have grown switchgrass for migrating birds and butterflies. If I had even more room, I would have added Indiangrass because of the nice scent it produces. The scent can instantly take you to the countryside, full of wheat fields.

In the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), traffic lights are always abundant, whereas affordable housing is chronically scarce. Luckily, we still have big bluestem growing along the Don River and switchgrass along Highway 7. Together with the majestic northern red oaks, they remind us that we are living on rich arable land by Lake Ontario.