Easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions from well-drained sandy soils to heavy clays. Cut clumps to the ground in late winter. May be grown from seed and may self-seed in the garden in optimum growing conditions.
Bouteloua gracilis, commonly called blue grama or mosquito grass, is a tufted, warm season, Missouri native grass noted for its distinctive arrangement of mosquito larvae-like seed spikes which hang from only one side of its flowering stems. It is native to prairies, plains, open rocky woodlands and along railroad tracks throughout the Western U. S. It was a dominant grass of the dry shortgrass prairies. Narrow, bluish-gray leaf blades (to 1/4” wide) typically form a dense clump growing 12-15" tall. Foliage turns golden brown in autumn, sometimes also developing interesting hues of orange and red. Inflorescences of purplish-tinged flowers appear on arching stems above the foliage in early to mid summer, typically bringing the total height of the clump to 20" tall. By contrast with the species, 'Blonde Ambition' produces chartreuse flowers (instead of purple) on taller flowering stems that rise to 2 1/2' tall. Chartreuse flowers contrast nicely with the blue-gray leaf blades. Flowers give way to blond seed heads which typically remain through fall into early winter. Genus name honors Spanish botanists and brothers Claudio Bouteloua (1774 -1812) and Esteban Bouteloua (1776-1813). Specific epithet from Latin means slender or graceful.
No serious insect or disease problems.
Mass in meadows, prairies, slopes, native plant gardens or naturalized areas. Group in border fronts or rock gardens. Flower spikes are an excellent addition for dried flower arrangements.
Thank You!
The Garden wouldn't be the Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers.
Info for
Main Navigation
Quick Links
Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110(314) 577-5100 hours and admission
Butterfly House
Faust Park, 15193 Olive Blvd. Chesterfield, MO 63017(636) 530-0076 hours and admission
Shaw Nature Reserve
Hwy. 100 & I-44 Gray Summit, MO 63039(636) 451-3512 hours and admission