Bouteloua gracilis

RHS Plant Profile
blue grama

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Other common names

mosquito grass

Synonyms

Chondrosum gracile
Bouteloua oligostachya

Grass Like
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A tufted deciduous grass to 60cm tall, with linear leaves and slender stems each bearing a few one-sided, horizontal, comb-like reddish-brown flower spikes in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Bouteloua can be annuals, rhizomatous or stoloniferous perennial grasses, with linear leaves and erect stems bearing distinctive flattened, horizontal flowering spikes
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
North America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a sharply drained soil soil in full sun. Avoid winter wet. See ornamental grasses cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in spring. Alternatively divide clumps from mid-spring to early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back overwintered material in early spring, just before new growth begins. See ornamental grasses cultivation

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free