Carried by 15 nurseries
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California oatgrass (Danthonia californica) is a native perennial bunchgrass that's useful in many landscaping applications. It is found in moist meadows and open spaces in Central and Northern California. It grows in dense tufts that can reach 3 ft in height. Flower spikelets appear between May and July. In the garden, California oatgrass can be used as an ornamental grass or it can serve as a lawn replacement that stands up to foot traffic when mowed short. It's also good for erosion control and soil stabilization.
Although it can adapt to a range of conditions, California oatgrass does better in cool, moist environments than in hot, dry landscapes. It has a high fire resistance rating and can be planted as a firebreak. This grass is a host plant for multiple skipper butterfly species. The seeds provide food for birds and small mammals.
Grass
2 - 3 ft Tall
Upright
Moderate
Brown
Spring
Deer resistant, Lawn alternative
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Low, Moderate
Keep moist
Tolerates cold to -5° F
Fast, Medium, Slow
Prefers loamy or clay soils. Grows poorly in sandy soils.
Soil PH: 5.2 - 6.8
1, 2, 3, 4*, 5*, 6*, 7*, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18*, 19, 20, 21, 22*, 23*, 24*
Moist meadows and open places
Wetland-Riparian
Use with other moisture-loving plants of northern California, such as Cloumbine (Aquilegia eximia or formosa), Blue Dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum), Stream Orchid (Epipactis gigantea), Sneezeweed (Helenium spp.), Lotus (Hosackia spp.), Iris spp., Lilium spp., Lupinus spp., Monkeyflower (Mimulus spp.), Buttercup (Ranunculus spp.), and Bee Plant (Scrophularia californica)
Butterflies and moths supported
3 confirmed and 0 likely
Western Branded Skipper
Hesperia colorado
Columbian Skipper
Hesperia columbia
Lindsey's Skipper
Hesperia lindseyi
Calscape, Schmidt, M.G, Greenberg, K.L. (2012). Growing California Native Plants (2nd ed.). University of California Press, California Flora Nursery. Danthonia californica. https://www.calfloranursery.com/plants/danthonia-californica, US Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. California Oatgrass. https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_daca3.pdf