Bouteloua gracilis 'Bad River' - Blue Grama, Mosquito Grass
Bouteloua gracilis 'Lovington'

Blue grama grass, often considered a western native, is also found growing in a much larger area in the middle part of North America. B. 'Bad River' had the advantage of extra hardiness and is good for areas with Zone 2 or 3 value.

B. 'Lovington', a native of New Mexico, is hardy to Zone 4 when there is good winter snow cover. The grasses are very similar to each other but Bouteloua 'Bad River' is considered to be significantly hardier than B. 'Lovington'.

All Bouteloua are charming grasses and are also excellent for dried flower arrangements.

Plant 6" apart to use as a ground cover.

Description: warm season; clump forming
Foliage is green; medium blade width; 30-40 cm (12-16") tall for B. Bad River; 10 cm (4") taller for B. Lovington
Flowers - June-July; 35-45 cm (14-18"); 15 cm (6") taller for B. Lovington
Form - arching leaves, upright to slightly arching flowers

Ideal growing conditions: sandy loam to clay soil in open sunny areas; prefers alkaline to neutral soil but can grow in slightly acid, sandy or dry soils; Is slow to establish but is a durable grass that does not like excessive fertilizer.

Coldest zone: 2 or 3-9 for B. Bad River; 4-9 for B. Lovington (find your zone; further info on plant hardiness)

Suggested uses: dry border, speciman, groups, drifts, containers and dry open meadows

Recommended plant spacing: 30-24 cm (12-24") for B. Bad River; 50-75 cm (18-30") for B. Lovington why such a difference?

Season of interest: early summer through fall

Plant and divide: late spring to early summer

Drought tolerance rating: 1 (water to root depth once a month); further info

Native to: B. Bad River is an eco-type found in north and south Dakota and southern Manitoba; B. Lovington is native to New Mexico

Pronounciation: Bouteloua (boo-tuh-LOO-ah) gracilis (grah-SIL-is)

Sizes available: gallon-size field clumps     Canadian price list   ||   US price list

More ornamental grasses

Compare Bouteloua gracilis 'Bad River' and 'Lovington' to our other grasses in this handy chart.