Blue Grama
Bouteloua gracilis
In Wyoming, where the flora of the Mountain West reaches in, a grass for movement and bird seed, reaching 8–20 in.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 8–20 in
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Wyoming · Zones 3–5
Native Ornamental Grasses in Wyoming
Native grasses and sedges that bring movement, winter structure, and bird seed — the matrix that ties a planting together. Every species here is genuinely native to Wyoming and the wider flora of the Mountain West and hardy through zones 3–5 — proven performers for Wyoming's cold, semi-arid, high elevation climate across Rocky Mountain montane & sagebrush steppe, not a generic list. Local standouts include Blue Grama and Sideoats Grama. Native grasses are the connective tissue of a natural planting, weaving between the flowers, holding the soil, and standing handsome through the whole winter. Warm-season grasses want full sun and lean soil and green up late, so don't give up on them in May. Cut everything back to a hand's height in late winter, just before new growth, and that's the entire job.
The plants
7 native species for Wyoming
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 3–5 · see this collection in other states.
Sideoats Grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
In Wyoming, where the flora of the Mountain West reaches in, fine-textured native grass weaving the planting together, 12–18 in wide.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 1.5–2.5 ft
- Blooms Jun–Jul
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
In Wyoming, where the flora of the Mountain West reaches in, a grass that earns its keep in fall and winter — airy pink-gold panicles color, 3–6 ft tall, seed for the birds.
- Full–part sun
- Dry to wet
- 3–6 ft
- Fall color
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
In Wyoming, where the flora of the Mountain West reaches in, summer texture, blue-green to copper autumn color, and winter standing presence on a 2–4 ft-tall native grass.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Fall color
Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis
In Wyoming, where the flora of the Mountain West reaches in, warm-season grass turning fine emerald to amber in fall and holding its form all winter, spreading 2–3 ft.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 2–3 ft
- Fall color
Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
In Wyoming, where the flora of the Mountain West reaches in, a grass that earns its keep in fall and winter — bronze-gold plumes color, 4–7 ft tall, seed for the birds.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 4–7 ft
- Fall color
Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
In Wyoming, where the flora of the Mountain West reaches in, catches the low autumn light, turning bronze-purple seed heads and standing 4–7 ft tall right through the snow.
- Full sun
- Dry to wet
- 4–7 ft
- Fall color
Sourcing
Where to find these in Wyoming
Seeds & live plants on Amazon
Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.
Browse on AmazonSome links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.