Our native Prairie Junegrass is an important species for those planning pollinator gardens or trying to restore native prairie habitat on a sunny site. Prairie Junegrass is one of the first native prairie grasses to flower, and thus offers an early food source to important pollinators, as well as serving as larval host for prairie butterflies. Expect growth in the range of 24-36 in. tall x ~18-24 in. wide.
When flowering, tall, silvery-green plumes emerge from the attractive blue-grey-green foliage and then turn tan by midsummer, capturing the light as they blow in the wind. Depending on the climate, it may go dormant in the hottest part of summer, but it quickly revives as soon as the weather cools and grows actively during the fall.
Prairie Junegrass requires well-draining soils and full sun to perform best. It will be drought tolerant once established, as it’s adapted to hot, dry conditions. Even if it temporarily goes drought dormant, it’s still actively providing important wildlife habitat for small invertebrates both in the air and taking refuge around its growth on the ground.
Like all prairie grasses, it should be mixed into a “meadowscape” or prairie replication that includes a mix of other native bunchgrasses and lots of native (and even waterwise, if desired) herbaceous perennials that will offer months of blooms from April to frost.
Our native Prairie Junegrass is an important species for those planning pollinator gardens or trying to restore native prairie habitat on a sunny site. Prairie Junegrass is one of the first native prairie grasses to flower, and thus offers an early food source to important pollinators, as well as serving as larval host for prairie butterflies. Expect growth in the range of 24-36 in. tall x ~18-24 in. wide.
When flowering, tall, silvery-green plumes emerge from the attractive blue-grey-green foliage and then turn tan by midsummer, capturing the light as they blow in the wind. Depending on the climate, it may go dormant in the hottest part of summer, but it quickly revives as soon as the weather cools and grows actively during the fall.
Prairie Junegrass requires well-draining soils and full sun to perform best. It will be drought tolerant once established, as it’s adapted to hot, dry conditions. Even if it temporarily goes drought dormant, it’s still actively providing important wildlife habitat for small invertebrates both in the air and taking refuge around its growth on the ground.
Like all prairie grasses, it should be mixed into a “meadowscape” or prairie replication that includes a mix of other native bunchgrasses and lots of native (and even waterwise, if desired) herbaceous perennials that will offer months of blooms from April to frost.
