Hierochloe odorata – Sweetgrass; Vanillagrass; Holy Grass

General Information: Revered in North American and European Indigenous cultures as a sacred plant. Aromatic vanilla-scented leaves are long, drooping, and satiny. Sweetgrass has many uses, including incense, and as a flavoring for teas, candies, and other foods. Naturally occurring in cool wetlands and grasslands throughout North America and Europe. Green flower spikes emerge in May and June, fading to brown by mid-summer. Unlike many other grasses, Sweetgrass seeds are rarely viable. Initially slow to spread by rhizome, Sweetgrass forms a patch, so give this plant room to spread! When happy, Sweetgrass will spread very nicely as a ground cover. Sweetgrass is happiest when regularly harvested!

Cultivation Details: Plant in moist to wet areas, such as a rain garden, or anywhere that receives plenty of water. Consider planting as a border or foundation planting near a downspout, as a lawn replacement in wet areas, or as a specimen. Plants will tolerate non-wetlands if irrigated for a year until well established. Attracts birds and butterflies. Botanical synonym: Anthoxanthum hirtum (Northern Sweetgrass)

Growing Requirements: Plant in full to part sun – at least 6 hours. Requires a moist, rich location and does not tolerate clay soils. Suitable for mildly acidic, neutral, and mildly alkaline soils.

Cultural Uses: Traditionally harvested, braided, and burned in ceremonies by Indigenous peoples to attract good spirits, and to promote happiness and harmony. Very useful in basket weaving as well.

Identification: Sweetgrass can easily enter a lawn or become tangled up with weedy grass species, so identification is important. Sweetgrass is most easily distinguished from similar non-native grasses, particularly Quack Grass (Elymus repens), by the flower spike. If the spike is not present, there are a few other methods of properly identifying the plant. First, and perhaps most obvious, is the scent. In late spring and early summer, the scent of Sweetgrass may still be weak. During these times, a good way to distinguish Sweetgrass from Quack Grass or other lookalikes is by observing the plants at night with a flashlight. Sweetgrass will not collect much dew on the upper sides of the leaves, creating a dark green appearance on the surface and a pale blue-green underside. Barnyard Grass and many other grass species will appear pale blue-green on both sides of the leaves. Lastly, the rhizome of Sweetgrass is a bit more tan colored, slightly brittle, and much more contorted than the straight, white, and sharply pointed rhizome of Quack Grass.