Carried by 49 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis) is a widespread, long-lived, warm-season, perennial grass native to North America. It is most commonly found from Alberta east to Manitoba and south across the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, and Midwest states to Mexico. In California, it is found primarily in arid mountains of San Bernardino County.
Blue Grama accounts for most of the net primary productivity in the shortgrass prairie of the central and southern Great Plains. Blue Grama grows on a wide array of topographic positions, and in a range of well-drained soil types, from fine- to coarse-textured.
Roots generally extend 1 to 1.5 feet from the edge of the plant, and 3 to 6 feet deep. Maximum rooting depth is approximately 6.5 feet. In recent years, Blue Grama has become a popular garden accent grass, due to its green to greyish color and interesting seed heads, which resemble small pennants. 'Blond Ambition" is a popular cultivar.
Grass
6 - 24 in Tall
2 ft Wide
Upright
Fast, Moderate
Yellow
Summer
Containers, Deer resistant, Groundcover, Lawn alternative
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Very Low
Max 2x / month once established
Easy
Tolerates cold to 15° F
Fast, Medium
Tolerates a variety of soils as long as adequate drainage is provided.
Pruning is not necessary, but plant can be cut back in winter when dormant.
For propagating by seed: No treatment.
2, 3, 7*, 8*, 9*, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*
Sandy rocky slopes, flats, prairies, plains, open rocky woodlands below 7000 feet
Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest
In the garden it can be used with a wide variety of native plants.
Butterflies and moths supported
4 confirmed and 1 likely
Pahaska Skipper
Hesperia pahaska
Uncas Skipper
Hesperia uncas
Ridings' Satyr
Neominois ridingsii
Woodland Skipper
Ochlodes sylvanoides