This tall (up to 5 feet in flower) perennial grass is native to many western states and does well in a variety of habitats. The flowers are in spikes with long awns and turn golden brown in our mid-summer prairies looking impressive as they wave in the breeze. This is not a dominant grass of our Willamette Valley prairies but an important component to add diversity to a site
Because this is the dominant native bunchgrass in the upland prairies west of the Cascades from southern British Columbia to central California it is an easy choice for mass plantings. With its fine thread-like leaves of steely blue-gray that form tussocks 10 in. height, it is very beautiful too, even planted individually in the landscape. No concern over ecological invasiveness. Drought and deer resistant.
Gunnera is one of South America's best contributions to our gardens, with leaves easily reaching 5 ft. across and 7 ft. high, sometimes more! It is easy and rapid-growing in moist soil, blossoming annually with tiny flowers on large 2 ft. club-like structures. Our liners finish fast in a #2 or #3 container. (Note: For a plant that loves water, it seems oddly averse to the high summer humidity of the East and Southeast).
Although the flowers are not showy, this plant is a must for a restoration site due to attracting many, many species of native bumblebees. The slender flower stems produce flowers for weeks; increasing its value for pollinators. It is found in upland prairies and mixed woodlands.
Medium-height bunch grass with thin, blue-green leaves, flowers in soft, tufted spikes, 3-4 ft in flower. Forms of pine-bluegrass can be found on dry, rocky bluffs as well as wet prairies.
