Blue grama

Bouteloua gracilis

Description

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Blue grama grass is truly a versatile, tough and elegant plant. It naturally grows as a clumping perennial from 1 1/2-2 ft. tall and spreads to 2 ft. wide. Unique inflorescences are set at a 45° angle from thin stems throughout summer and fall and wave gracefully in daily breezes.

The versatility of this grass can be seen when it is used for habitat plantings, as a natural meadow and accent plant around rocks, and mixed with other native plants. Unmowed plants also have a delicate ornamental character making them useful in mixed perennial plantings throughout the Inland Empire. Perhaps its most surprising use is for a low water needy lawn. When maintained as a 2-3 in. tall lawn, it shows good tolerance of foot traffic while receiving relatively low amounts of supplemental water.

Plant Type: Grass
Foliage Character: Winter deciduous
Habit: Upright, Spreading, Graceful, Clumping
Growth Rate: Fast
Foliage Color: Pale green
Flower Color: Purple
Flower Season: Summer
Soil Adaptations: Loam, Clay
Exposure Adaptations: Wind, Heat, Frost, Drought, Aridity, All day sun
Function: Wildlife value, Residential spaces, Parks and open space, Mass planting, Foliage accent plant, Flowering accent plant, Container plant, Borders, Banks, Attracts butterflies, Small spaces
Height: 18 in. – 24 in.
Width: 12 in.

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