About
Bouteloua gracilis is a clumping, deciduous grass that reaches heights of up to 60 cm. It features narrow leaves and slender stems, which support several one-sided, horizontally oriented flower spikes that resemble combs, displaying reddish-brown hues during the summer months.
About the genus
Bouteloua comprises annual, rhizomatous, or stoloniferous perennial grasses characterized by narrow leaves and upright stems that produce unique flattened, horizontal flower spikes.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Grass Like
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Patio and container plants
- Native to
- North America
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a sharply drained soil in full sun. Avoid winter wet. See ornamental grasses cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- Cut back overwintered material in early spring, just before new growth begins. See ornamental grasses cultivation
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in spring. Alternatively divide clumps from mid-spring to early summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free