It’s no surprise that the specific epithet of Bouteloua gracilis means “graceful” – ­­the gentle sway of peculiar-looking seedheads in a warm summer breeze certainly brings a sense of grace to the garden. Highly tolerant of nutrient-poor, dry soils and drought once established, Blue Gramma grass is naturally adapted to prairie conditions and can be found growing throughout the Great Plains of North America. Bouteloua gracilis is a warm-season native grass that explodes with color in autumn, following the arrival of the bronzy purple eyebrow-shaped inflorescences between June and August. These inflorescences, which are situated to one side of the stem, persist throughout autumn and often into winter, changing from a warm purply overtone to a sandy-colored seedhead appearance that is perfect for adding to dried arrangements. Blue Gramma grass can be used as a lawn alternative, and is capable of handling some light foot traffic as well as occasional mowing.

• Category: Grasses
• Hardiness Zone: 3
• Height: 14 Inches
• Spread: 20 Inches