Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis)

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. From Calscape.

Grower: Nature's Seed

Other Names Used: 

Family: Poaaceae

Life Cycle: Perennial

Plant Type: Grass

Sun Exposure: Full, Partial

Bloom Period: Summer (June to July)

Bloom Color(s): Yellow

Plant Height: 6-24 inches tall

Plant Width: 2 feet wide

California Regions:

• Southern California Inland
• Desert

Ecological Benefits:

• Drought Tolerant
  
• Deer Resistant
• Attracts pollinators, birds, wildlife
  

Ecological Functions:

• Grows in Containers
• Lawn Altnernative
• Groundcover

Habitat Type:

• Yellow Pine Forest
• Pinyon-Juniper Woodland

Human Uses/Cautions: 

Skill Level: Beginner

Seed Pretreatment: None