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-wisePlant Select®Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Thomas Koffel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Thomas Koffel
- Photo 2: no rights reserved
- Photo 3: (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–10
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Site uses
- Hellstrips / parking strips
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 8–18 in tall and 12–24 in wide
- Growth habit
- Clumping
- Planting spacing
- ~17–24 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Bloom color
- yellow, brown
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Winter cover
- Partial winter cover
What it will do to your yard
- Foot traffic
- Moderate foot traffic
- Lawn alternative
- Mowable lawn alternative
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- shortgrass prairie, foothills
Using Blue grama grass as a groundcover
Blue grama grass grows in tidy clumps. It fills in densely, crowding out most weeds. It takes moderate foot traffic, so you can walk on it regularly.
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 a well-suited groundcover for 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 far apart do I plant Blue grama grass?
- Space Blue grama grass about 17 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 24 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Blue grama grass hardy on the Front Range?
- Blue grama grass is hardy in USDA 3–10. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- 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.
- Is Blue grama grass deer-resistant?
- Blue grama grass is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Blue grama grass a good firewise plant near the house?
- Blue grama grass is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Blue grama grass a Plant Select® winner?
- Yes. Blue grama grass is in Plant Select®, the plant-recommendation program run by Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens to highlight plants that thrive in the region.
- Can you walk on Blue grama grass?
- Blue grama grass takes moderate foot traffic, so you can walk on it regularly.
- Can Blue grama grass replace a lawn?
- Yes, Blue grama grass works as a mowable lawn alternative on the Front Range. Expect a season or two of weeding and watering while it fills in before it reads as a lawn replacement.
- Will Blue grama grass spread or stay put?
- Blue grama grass is clumping. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Blue grama grass stay green in winter?
- Blue grama grass keeps partial cover through Front Range winters.
