Attractive small clump-forming perennial grass with unique, showy flowers. Fine, blue-gray foliage turns a nice golden brown with orange-red hues in fall.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Blue Grama Grass
Bouteloua gracilis
Plant Type: Grasses / Sedges / Rushes
Native Environment: Prairie
Season of Interest: Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: Green, Yellow
Fall Color: Brown, Gold, Orange
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate
Nature Attracting
Wildlife Benefit
Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant
Size
Height:
8 to
24
inches
Spread:
18 to
24
inches
Size
Height: 8 to
24
inches
Spread: 18 to
24
inches
Size
Height: 8 to
24
inches
Spread: 18 to
24
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Dry, well drained locations in full sun.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Dry soil and full sun is best, can be mown to form a lawn substitute (can also self seed). Tolerant of black walnut and air pollution.
Special Features
Special Usage
Dried Flower, Ground Cover
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.