Height: 8 to 24 inches
Spread: 18 to 24 inches
Hardiness: Zones 3-10
Origin: United States
Some of our native grasses are as lovely as can be. Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), is one of them. It grows as a clump or tuft with narrow medium-green leaf blades arching up and out. The flowers are attached at right angles, which gives the plant a distinct look. The purple flowers and tan seeds resemble mosquito larvae and give the plant one of its common names: mosquito grass. Blue grama thrives in natural areas with well-drained soil and is a great choice for rock gardens or along a border. The plant needs regular watering until established. During drought, it goes dormant, and the foliage turns gray-green. Blue grama and its seed heads can be seen in the Sculpture Garden at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
— Barbara Arnold,Franklin Park Conservatoryand Botanical Gardens