Mark Kane
Family
Poaceae
Botanical Name
Bouteloua gracilis
Plant Common Name
Blue Grama Grass, Mosquito Grass
General Description
Blue grama grass is a perennial warm season grass grown for its fine, gray-green leaves and one-sided decorative flowers. A compact grower, it is native to the arid western United States and Mexico where soils are dry and alkaline.
Fine, narrow, gray-green leaves emerge in spring. In summer slender stems rise above the foliage lined with one-sided flower buds that resemble mosquito larvae. The tiny flowers are reddish purple when they open and quite decorative lining the stem tips. In autumn the foliage turns burgundy before becoming tan in winter. Small birds eat the dry seeds through cold fall and winter months.
Plant blue grama grass in a full sun exposure with absolutely well-drained soil that's alkaline or neutral. Cut back clumps in spring before new blades emerge. This is an ideal grass for meadow plantings or shortgrass prairie restorations but also looks good in rock gardens or mixed borders. It may also be useful as a very low maintenance turfgrass (if mowed) or groundcover for the yard. For turf, it may be seeded alone or blended with buffalo grass.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 5
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USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 9
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Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21
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Plant Type
Grass
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Height
18"-24" / 45.7cm - 61.0cm
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Width
10"-12" / 25.4cm - 30.5cm
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Bloom Time
Summer, Late Summer
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Native To
North America, United States, Western United States, Southwestern United States, Mexico
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Red, Purple
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Fruit Color
Tan
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Purple, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Tan
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
