3 Warm-Season Ornamental Grasses That Excel in the Mountain West

15.03.2024 - 10:41 / finegardening.com

My career in ornamental horticulture has led to the development of a working theory: Ornamental grasses are an acquired taste for most gardeners. This theory grew from personal experience (my tastes have changed significantly since growing up gardening on the Front Range) and from similar opinions expressed by several folks I’ve coached. I think this delayed appreciation stems from a realization that grasses can excel where perennials fail. Ornamental grasses may lack flash, but they offer four-season appeal, eye-catching forms and textures, and superior tolerance to harsh weather; in addition, they give gardens an immersive feel thanks to their penchant for gentle movement.

To effectively use ornamental grasses, the gardener needs to understand a bit about their biology. Broadly speaking, ornamental grasses are broken into two categories in horticulture: cool-season grasses, which grow most vigorously when temperatures range from 60° to 75°F, and warm-season grasses, which grow most vigorously when temperatures range from 75° to 90°F. As a result of their temperature preferences, cool-season grasses tend to do well in mountain communities, while both cool- and warm-season grasses do well in warmer environs. That being said, it is typical for cool-season grasses to go through a rather scraggly summer dormancy in warm locations.

Since warm-season grasses transplant best in late spring and early summer, this article aims to introduce you to a few that shine in our region in time for them to be transplanted this year. If you’re looking for cool-season grasses, be sure to keep an eye out for a follow-up article in time for their transplanting in late summer to fall.

Bouteloua gracilis, Zones 3–10

One of the grasses that