Bouteloua gracilis
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Bouteloua aristidoides
- Phonetic Spelling
- boo-teh-LOO-ah gra-SIL-is
- Description
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Blue gramma is a small warm-season ornamental grass in the Poaceae (grass) family. It is native to the central region of North America. The genus name Bouteloua comes from Spanish botanists Exteban and Claudius Boutelou, and the species epithet gracilis is Latin for graceful. It forms a dense clump reaching a height of 15 inches tall.
Plant this grass in the full sun and it will tolerate a wide range of soils poor and dry soils as long as they have good drainage. The leaves are bright green to blue gray, and its summer flower heads are charming and work well in dried arrangements. This grass can also be mowed to a height of 2 inches tall and used as a lawn alternative for areas that get light foot traffic. This grass self-seeds easily and turns attractive shades of brown, orange, and red in the fall.
Use this delicate grass in small groups in a rock garden, drought tolerant garden, naturalized area, or meadow.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Bouteloua
- Species:
- gracilis
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- West and Central Canada to Mexico
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
- Fruit Description:
- Attractive tan seed heads in the summer look like mosquito larvae hence the common name. The seed heads are arranged on only one side of the stem.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Dried
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- June to August flowers with a hint of purple appear on arching stems that can reach 20" tall.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Bright green to blue gray fine leaves 1/4" wide
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Pollution
- Poor Soil
