Bouteloua comprises annual, rhizomatous, or stoloniferous perennial grasses characterized by narrow leaves and upright stems that produce unique flattened, horizontal flower spikes.

Bouteloua

Bouteloua curtipendula

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.

Bouteloua gracilis

Bouteloua gracilis 'Bad River'

Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition' is a clumping, deciduous grass that reaches a height of up to 70 cm. Its narrow, blue-grey foliage transforms to brown or occasionally orange-red in the fall. The slender stems produce a limited number of one-sided, comb-like flower spikes that start off greenish-yellow and mature to straw-yellow during the summer months. As the season progresses, these spikes develop into blonde seed heads that persist on the stems well into autumn and early winter. This grass makes a practical choice for lining sunny pathways or for use in pots and containers.