Chewings fescue is a cool season bunch-type grass that is very fine and soft to the touch. Because of its fine texture, it can be used to establish a meadow-like lawn if left unmowed. Grows very well in areas that are cool and shaded. Like other fine fescues, it is often used in areas where low amounts of mowing, irrigation, and sunlight is required. As a long-living perennial with a lovely medium green appearance, this grass is an excellent choice for an attractive low-maintenance lawn.

Blue grama is a native warm-season grass found throughout the Great Plains. It produces palatable forage for livestock and can withstand close grazing. In southern states, blue grama tends to grow as a bunchgrass. In the north, it can produce sod and can even be used for low-maintenance lawn. Extremely drought tolerant and able to grow without irrigation in areas receiving at least seven inches of annual precipitation. It grows about a foot tall and prefers well-drained, gravelly soils. Excellent for partnering with wildflowers.

Scientific Name: Bouteloua curtipendula

Sideoats grama is a perennial warm-season grass native to much of the United States; and happens to also be the official state grass of Texas. It’s one of the most important range grasses and is palatable for all types of livestock. Sideoats grama can get up to three feet tall and has a bluish-green color. Excellent for ornamental use and for partnering with wildflowers. It’s adapted to a wide range of soil conditions but prefers well-drained soils. Sideoats grama can be grown without irrigation in areas receiving at least 12 inches of annual rainfall.

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.

Looking to establish a meadow-like lawn or garden? Need an eye-catching ornamental grass to complete your water-wise landscape? Sheep fescue is a great choice. Its low-growing, bunching form makes it ideal for partnering with wildflowers. The dense root system makes sheep fescue an excellent grass for weed control and soil stabilization, and is commonly used along waterways, roadsides and steep slopes. Sheep fescue is very adaptable to a variety of soil types, climates and temperatures. It’s also resistant to most traditional lawn grass diseases.