Is bouteloua gracilis invasive?
Mexican feathergrass A safe alternative to this damaging invasive is Blue grama grass, or Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’. This plant boasts pretty, eyelash-shaped flowers and is a low-maintenance lawn substitute in every region except California’s most arid.
Why is blue grama called mosquito grass?
The grass is quite short, growing to a mature height of about 12 to 14 inches. In winter, the foliage turns tan while the seed heads shift to reddish burgundy. The common name mosquito grass references the seed heads, which some say resemble mosquito larvae.
Do you cut back blue grama grass?
Cutting back Blonde Ambition Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis Blonde Ambition) should be done in mid-spring when the new green grass blades begin to sprout from the crown. The stems holding the seed heads are very resilient and stay upright even after a snowy winter, so the grass looks good until mid-spring.
Is blue grama grass a perennial?
Blue grama grows in bunches in the south, and as a sod-former in the north and at high elevations. It is a perennial. This is an important, drought-resistant, short grass in the mixed prairies and throughout the Great Plains and the Southwest. One of the most important forage grasses in native ranges.
Where is blue grama grass native?
Bouteloua gracilis, the blue grama, is a long-lived, warm-season (C4) perennial grass, native to North America. It is most commonly found from Alberta, Canada, east to Manitoba and south across the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, and U.S. Midwest states, onto the northern Mexican Plateau in Mexico.
Is blue grama grass toxic to dogs?
Though water-guzzling turf is not sustainable, your dog may appreciate a small patch (100 ft2 will suffice) of low-growing, drought-tolerant native grass—such as Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama grass) or Agrostis pallens (San Diego bentgrass). Certain plants react poorly to dog urine.
What does blue grama grass eat?
This species is a dominant grass of North America’s shortgrass prairies and an important component of midgrass/mixed grass and tallgrass prairies, providing nutrition for antelope, deer, and bison. Its native range extends from Alberta, Canada, into Mexico. A number of skippers use blue grama as a larval host plant.
Is blue grama Evergreen?
Semi-evergreen. Once established, water occasionally; more in extreme heat or containers.
How do you take care of blue grama?
Add good quality compost (at the rate of 3 to 5 cubic yards per 1000 square feet) and rototill into the soil to a depth of 6 to 10 inches. Warm night temperatures, evenly moist (but not soggy) soil and rain showers will help Grama grass to germinate quickly, usually within 7 to 10 days of planting.
Does buffalo grass make a good lawn?
It is the only native grass that is also useful as a lawn grass. Buffalo grass lawns are warm season turf which are drought tolerant with better cold resistance than other warm season grasses. The grass is quite tolerant of a range of conditions and establishes with seed, sod or plugs.
Is Bouteloua gracilis a grass?
Low-growing and compact, Bouteloua gracilis (Blue Grama) is a densely tufted, warm season, ornamental grass noted for its intriguing inflorescences resembling tiny brushes. Suspended horizontally from only one side of the flowering stems, the flowers are red tinted at first before they bleach to a straw color.
What kind of grass is blue grama?
Bouteloua gracilis (Blue Grama) Blue Grama, Blue Grama Grass, Mosquito Grass Low-growing and compact, Bouteloua gracilis (Blue Grama) is a densely tufted, warm season, ornamental grass noted for its intriguing inflorescences resembling tiny brushes.
Do deer eat Bouteloua gracilis?
Bouteloua gracilis is drought tolerant, largely free of pests and diseases and is not bothered by deer. Since it is a native plant, using it in your garden is a gift to wildlife. It provides cover for nests as well as food for birds and other pollinators and small mammals.