Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis)

Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis), also called Mosquito Grass, is a small, tufted warm-season grass common in shortgrass prairies. Wiry blue-gray leaves turn golden brown in fall, sometimes developing red-orange tones.

Small purplish flowers appear on stems in summer. Grow this drought-tolerant North American native in full sun and well-drained soil.

Growing details

• Plant type: Warm-season ornamental grass
• Origin: North America
• Mature height: 1–2 feet
• Mature spread: 1–2 feet
• Spacing: Approximately 1.5 feet apart
• Hardiness: USDA zones 3–10
• Light: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained
• Flowers: Purplish, in summer
• Fall foliage: Golden brown, sometimes with red-orange hues

Care and garden use

This low-maintenance grass tolerates drought, but extreme drought can cause browning and temporary dormancy until moisture becomes available. Cut to the ground in late winter before new shoots appear.

Use as an accent or in grouped plantings, borders, wildlife gardens, naturalized areas, native gardens, rock gardens, waterwise landscapes, or containers. Pair with ornamental onion, black-eyed Susan, or butterfly weed where growing conditions suit each plant.

Image credits: Matt Lavin, Bouteloua gracilis - blue grama, photos 1 and 2; Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, Bouteloua gracilis Butelua 2007-08-11 02, CC BY-SA 4.0. Plants naturally vary in appearance and may differ from the images shown.