Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) is a grass plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis).
This plant has several common names including: blue grama or mosquito grass.
This is a deciduous plant that takes to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: blue grama, mosquito grass
Scientific name: Bouteloua gracilis
Plant type: Grasses
Habit: Bushy
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Coastal, Informal Garden, Patio & Container Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) – Pethan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
[yarpp template=”yarpp-template-genus” require_tax='{“genus”: 1}’ limit=3]
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, loam or sand.
-
The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
-
The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
-
Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Bouteloua gracilis likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) – Copyright by Curtis Clark, licensed as noted, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
