Blue grama grass
Bouteloua gracilis
Blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis) is a Colorado-native groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 8–18 in tall and 12–24 in wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Colorado state grass. Native bunchgrass — the standard lawn alternative on the Front Range. 'Blonde Ambition' has dramatic eyelash seed heads.
Colorado nativelow water8–18 in tall and 12–24 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Bouteloua gracilis
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Blonde Ambition'
- Type
- Groundcover
- Mature size
- 8–18 in tall and 12–24 in wide
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- full sun
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- yellow, brown
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Good for
- hellstrip
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first summer to establish. After year one, ~25% of bluegrass lawn water needs.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Blue grama grass good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Blue grama grass is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a groundcover suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Blue grama grass get?
- It matures to about 8–18 in tall and 12–24 in wide.
- How much water does Blue grama grass need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Blue grama grass native to Colorado?
- Yes — it is a Colorado native.
