Desert Jewels Nursery
Grasses
Bluebunch Wheatgrass
Agropyron spicatum, Pseudoroegneria spicata
Native to Alaska,western Canada and the West. Important bunchgrass of the sagebrush steppe.
Region
Xeric
Flower Time
Size
W, S
summer
very
1.5 - 4 ft,
Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Turkey-foot grass. Tallgrass prairie native - from Canada to Mexico, east and midwest.
Region
Xeric
Flower Time
Size
M
summer
somewhat
3 - 10 ft.
Basin wildrye
Elymus cinereus
Showy tall bunchgrass of the sagebrush steppe. Grows in somewhat moister sites, like swales and the base of north slopes.
Region
Xeric
Flower Time
Size
L, R, W
summer
yes
4 - 5 ft.
Prairie Junegrass
Koeleria macrantha
Prairie junegrass is a native, perennial, cool season tufted bunchgrass found on rangelands, plains and open forestlands. One of the first grasses to green-up in the early spring.
Perennial grass found in a wide variety of native plant
communities.
Region
Xeric
Flower Time
Size
L,R, W, S, M
late spring
yes
1/2 - 2 ft.
Indian Ricegrass
Oryzopsis hymenoides
The baby’s breath of grasses – nice in floral arrangements. Birds love the seeds.
Region
Xeric
Flower Time
Size
L, R, W, M
summer
very
1- 2 ft.
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Clump-forming, perennial, warm-season grass with open, lacy sprays with small seeds, Aug-Oct. Turns yellow in fall.
Region
Xeric
Flower Time
Size
M
summer
yes
3 - 6 ft.
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Beautiful upright bunchgrass of the midwestern mixed grass prairie. GREAT fall/winter color.
Region
Xeric
Flower Time
Size
M
Late summer
somewhat
3-4 ft.
Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
Very showy tall bunchgrass from the midwestern tallgrass prairie.
Region
Xeric
Flower Time
Size
M
Late summer
somewhat
4 - 5 ft.