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Blue Gramma Grass

Bouteloua gracilis

Bouteloua gracilis 80% of ETo at midsummer. Photo: SK Reid.
Bouteloua gracilis 80% of ETo at midsummer. Photo: SK Reid.

Summary

Commonly called blue grama grass or eyelash grass, Bouteloua gracilis is a long-lived prairie grass native to North America. This tidy bunching grass puts up attractive long spikes with seedheads almost at a 90° angle to the stem. There was no significant difference in growth or appearance between irrigation treatments in our trial, and plants were completely unbothered by pests or disease.

This tough and appealing perennial grass is easily grown in a low-water garden. The only maintenance required to keep it looking attractive is an annual short haircut to remove old leaves and flowering stems in late winter or very early spring.

Blue gramma grass seed heads close-up. Photo: SK Reid.
Blue gramma grass seed heads close-up. Photo: SK Reid.

Basic Info

Submitted by: UC Davis Arboretum
Trial Exposure: Sun
Year evaluated: 2007
Height & Width
(after 2 years):
36" x n/a" - UC Davis
Reported Height & Width
(at maturity):
.75-2' x 1.5-2'
WUCOLS plant type: G N
Water Needs & WUCOLS Region:
Low - Region 2 
Mean Overall 
Appearance rating:
(1-5 Scale, 5 is highest)
BR - UC Davis 
Flowering Months
Summer-Fall - UC Davis

Growth and Quality Data

Click Here for Complete Data Set

Blue gramma grass seed heads. Photo: SK Reid.
Blue gramma grass seed heads. Photo: SK Reid.