In-Depth Description
Bouteloua gracilis, commonly called Blue Grama or Mosquito grass, is a tufted grass 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. ‘Blonde Ambition’ produces chartreuse flowers, instead of purple for the species, on taller flowering stems that rise to 2 1/2′ tall. When used in a habitat garden, do not expect to see native ornamental grasses, such as Blue Grama bowing under a flock of feeding goldfinches. Instead, look for finches, native sparrows, juncos, doves, and other birds on the ground beneath these multi-functional grasses in fall and winter, stretching for overhanging seed heads or scratching for fallen seeds.
Veery, Photo Credit: Litchfield Hills Audubon.
