nATIVE PRAIRIE gRASSES

AWNED WHEATGRASS Agropyron subsecudum

Sun: Sun
Moisture: Medium to Moist
Height: 50 - 100 cm
Bloom Time: June - Cool Season Grass

Description: This clump grass provides early cover for later warm season grasses like Big Bluestem and Indian Grass - The main cool season grass in Tall Grass Prairie - Reseeds easily.

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BIG BLUESTEM Andropogon gerardii

Sun: Sun or Part Shade
Moisture: Medium to Very Moist
Height: 100 - 175 cm
Bloom Time: August - Warm Season Grass

Description: Tall, eyecatching grass with seedheads like a "Turkey Foot" - Beautiful, rusty fall colour - THE grass of the Tall Grass Prairie.

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SIDE OATS GRAMA Bouteloua curtipendula

Sun: Sun
Moisture: Dry to Moist
Height: 50 - 75 cm
Bloom Time: July/August - Warm Season Grass

Description: Distinctive seedheads with tiny, bright orange flowers and seeds on one side of the stalk - A beautiful, clump grass to go with other low flowers and grasses.

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BLUE GRAMA Bouteloua gracilis

Sun: Sun
Moisture: Dry to Medium
Height: 20 - 50 cm
Bloom Time: July/August - Warm Season Grass

Description: Drought tolerant, clump grass - Seedheads look like little toothbrushes hanging in the air - Best is sandy soil - Not for clay - Good with June grass and other low flowers.

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BUFFALO GRASS Buchloe dactyloides

Sun: Sun
Moisture: Dry to Moist
Height: 5 - 10 cm
Bloom Time: July/August - Warm Season Grass

Description: Unusual grass that spreads by runners like strawberries - Very rare in Manitoba - Grey-green leaves - Great for native lawn in dry areas.

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BEBB'S SEDGE Carex bebbii

Sun: Sun
Moisture: Moist - Wet
Height: 30 - 45 cm
Bloom Time: June - Cool Season Grass

Description: A great groundcover for wet meadows - Attractive grass-like clumps - Good for shoreline erosion control - Produces lots of seed for wildlife. Reseeds easily.

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MARSH REED GRASS Calamogrostis canadensis

Sun: Sun
Moisture: Moist - Wet
Height: 90 - 150 cm
Bloom Time: June - Cool Season Grass

Description: For shorelines and wet meadows - Attractive grass spreads by roots and is great for erosion control - Also called Canada Bluejoint - Shelter for birds. Reseeds easily.

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TUFTED HAIRGRASS Deschampsia caespitosa

Sun: Sun or Part Shade
Moisture: Medium to Wet
Height: 60 - 120 cm
Bloom Time: June - Cool Season Grass

Description: Clumps of rich green foliage in spring are followed by graceful, fine textured panicles of seed - Reseeds easily.

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CANADA WILD RYE Elymus canadensis

Sun: Sun or Part Shade
Moisture: Dry to Moist
Height: 100 - 150 cm
Bloom Time: June - Cool Season Grass

Description: Fast growing, clump grass - Attractive, curving seedheads - Wide blue-green leaves - Lives 4 or 5 years - Reseeds very easily on bare soil.

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GIANT WILD RYE Elymus cinereus

Sun: Sun or Shade
Moisture: Medium to Moist
Height: 90 - 120 cm
Bloom Time: June - Cool Season Grass

Description: This clump grass lives 5 - 6 years - Reseeds easily on bare soil - Seedheads are eyecatching, erect white spikes 10-25 cm long.

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SHEEP FESCUE Festuca ovina saximontana

Sun: Sun
Moisture: Dry to Medium
Height: 15 - 30 cm
Bloom Time: June - Cool Season Grass

Description: Mixes well with Grama grasses and Little Bluestem for early season cover - Drought tolerant, clump grass - Seedheads have a reddish tinge in late June. Reseeds.

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SWEETGRASS Hierochloe odorata

Sun: Sun
Moisture: Moist - Wet
Height: 30 - 60 cm
Bloom Time: June - Cool Season Grass

Description: Dry braids of this sacred grass are burned by Native people in smudging ceremonies as a purifier - Spreads rapidly by the roots in wet areas.

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JUNE GRASS Koeleria macrantha

Sun: Sun
Moisture: Dry to Medium
Height: 15 - 40 cm
Bloom Time: June - Cool Season Grass

Description: Showy, white seedheads in June - Drought tolerant - This clump grass is best with wildflowers and grasses in sandy to loam soil - Short lived in clay - Reseeds.

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SWITCH GRASS Panicum virgatum

Sun: Sun
Moisture: Medium to Very Moist
Height: 80 - 120 cm
Bloom Time: August - Warm Season Grass

Description: Looks great in masses with lacey seedheads blowing in the breeze - Host for Skippers - seed for birds – Golden foliage in fall.

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PURPLE OAT GRASS Schizachne purpurascens

Sun: Part Shade or Shade
Moisture: Dry to Moist
Height: 50 - 100 cm
Bloom Time: June - Cool Season Grass

Description: A handsome, clump grass with attractive drooping seedheads - Host for Northern Pearly Eye butterfly - Reseeds.

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LITTLE BLUESTEM Schizachyrium scoparium

Sun: Sun
Moisture: Dry to Moist
Height: 30 - 70 cm
Bloom Time: August - Warm Season Grass

Description: Excellent, medium height grass for landscaping - At peak in August/September with fluffy white seeds and orange-red foliage - Host for Skippers.

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INDIAN GRASS Sorghastrum nutans

Sun: Sun
Moisture: Medium to Moist
Height: 100 - 150 cm
Bloom Time: August - Warm Season Grass

Description: Silky, golden seedheads with bronze coloured leaves in fall - Excellent as an accent or in prairies - Host for Skippers - Fresh and dry bouquets.

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PRAIRIE DROPSEED Sporobolus heterolepsis

Sun: Sun
Moisture: Medium to Moist
Height: 30 - 70 cm
Bloom Time: August - Warm Season Grass

Description: Elegant, ornamental grass with fragrant, silvery seedheads - Fine textured leaves turn golden orange in fall - Seed for birds.

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GREEN NEEDLE GRASS Stipa viridula

Sun: Sun
Moisture: Dry to Moist
Height: 50 - 100 cm
Bloom Time: June - Cool Season Grass

Description: Fine textured, clump grass with long feathery seedheads - Does not tolerate wet or poorly drained soils.

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NEEDLE & THREAD GRASS Stipa comata

Sun: Sun
Moisture: Dry to Medium
Height: 30 - 60 cm
Bloom Time: June - Cool Season Grass

Description: The provincial grass of Saskatchewan – This cool season, clump grass has sharp, pointy seeds with long thread-like awns – Best in light, well drained soil.

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