Western wheatgrass is a native cool-season grass found throughout the Great Plains and Intermountain West regions. It has a sod-forming growth habit, and tolerates dry saline soils. Excellent choice for native erosion control and reclamation projects. Moderately palatable to livestock and wildlife. Western wheatgrass can be grown without irrigation in areas receiving at least 10 inches of annual precipitation.

Scientific Name: Pascopyrum smithii

Virginia wildrye is a cool-season perennial bunchgrass native to the eastern 2/3rds of the United States. It prefers moist, heavy soils and is quite shade tolerant. Performs well in riparian zones, stream banks, and flood plains. Virginia wildrye establishes easily from seed, making it ideal for native reclamation projects. It’s palatable and nutritious to all types of livestock, and produces excellent forage especially in areas with heavy wet soil. Higher water requirements.

Tufted hairgrass is a cool-season perennial bunchgrass that can be found throughout the U.S. in damp, wooded areas and along stream banks. Its semi-evergreen foliage and yellow hair-like seed heads make it a great addition to any ornamental garden, or even as a low-maintenance alternative lawn. It prefers moist, rich soils and partial shade. Its flower heads can grow up to three feet tall and last into the winter, providing aesthetic value to the snow-covered landscape. Can be grown without irrigation in areas receiving at least 14 inches of annual precipitation.

Small burnet is a long-lived perennial forb introduced from Europe and western Asia. It’s hardy, drought-tolerant, semi-evergreen and provides excellent forage for livestock, particularly sheep and goats. Small burnet is also very beneficial in wildlife food plots and for pollinator habitat. Prefers well-drained soils throughout the West. A valued component in reclamation mixes and other blends. Small burnet can be grown without irrigation in areas receiving at least 12 inches of annual precipitation.

Indian ricegrass is a native, cool-season perennial grass that forms dense tufts. One of the most important native grasses in rangelands throughout the West. Palatable and nutritious for all types of livestock and wildlife. Indian ricegrass produces seeds that are sought by birds and small mammals. Very drought tolerant. Excellent for rangeland improvement, land reclamation and as a component of native pastures. Can be grown in areas that receive at least 8 inches of annual precipitation.

Streambank wheatgrass is a native, cool-season perennial sod forming grass found throughout the Intermountain West and surrounding regions. Strongly rhizomatous, streambank wheatgrass is an excellent choice for erosion control, reclamation and can even form a low-maintenance lawn. Not commonly used for forage, but is palatable to all types of livestock. One of the most drought tolerant native grasses, it can be grown in areas that receive as little as 6 inches of annual precipitation.

This introduced legume is one of the best cover crops for green manure. Hairy vetch can be both an annual or short-lived perennial, and produces abundant amounts of biomass. Adapts well to most climates and soil types, but doesn’t like poorly drained sites. Excellent nitrogen-fixing abilities and weed suppresser. It can also be used as a component in pastures and wildlife food plots, but should not be a primary forage due to toxicity risk in cattle and horses. Hairy vetch is fairly drought tolerant and can be planted in areas that receive at least 18 inches of annual precipitation.

Scientific name: Vicia villosa

Barley is a cool-season annual cereal grain commonly grown throughout the country. Very quick to establish and produces more biomass in a shorter time than other cereal grains. More productive on alkaline and saline soils than other cover crops. Barley adapts well to most soils and is fairly drought tolerant. Excellent for use as a cover crop, green manure and nurse crop. Can be planted in areas that receive at least 12 inches of annual precipitation.

Scientific name: Hordeum vulgare

This cool-season, introduced annual bunchgrass is one of the most widely cultivated grasses in the world. Also known as common wheat or bread wheat. It’s adapted to most soils and climates found in the US. Very tolerant of drought and cold temperatures. Can be planted in areas with as little as 10 inches of annual precipitation. Especially useful as a cover crop and in wildlife food plots.

Scientific Name: Elymus elymoides, previously known as Sitanion hystrix

Bottlebrush squirreltail is a cool-season perennial bunchgrass native to a large portion of the western United States. Greens up early in the spring where it provides fair forage for livestock and wildlife, but develops sharp awns that can injure animals later during the season. It can grow up to two feet tall and prefers dry, gravelly soils. Highly valued for reclamation and reseeding disturbed rangelands. Bottlebrush squirreltail is also one of the most fire-resistant native grasses. Can be grown without irrigation in areas receiving at least eight inches of annual rainfall.