Common Water-Wise Turf Substitutes
- Agrostis
hallii
- Bouteloua
gracilis
- Carex
pansa
- Deschampsia
caespitosa
- Festuca
californica
- Festuca
idahoensis
- Festuca
rubra
- Koeleria
macrantha
- Melica
californica
- Poa
secunda
Descriptions of the grasses listed above are
provided below. Photos
of some of the water-wise grasses listed are provided on the
right and hyperlinked to some of the grass titles.
Agrostis hallii
Hall’s
Bentgrass: Characteristics: A.
hallii is a rhizomatous perennial grass that grows to about 1
foot in height.
Its culms are tall and erect approaching 1 1/2 to 3
feet tipped with wide, loose panicles.
It has a bright green color.
Conditions: It requires little water and infrequent mowing.
Geographic locations: Mostly
found in open oak woodlands or coniferous forest near the
coast from Oregon to Santa Barbara, California.
Applications: It shows
potential as a ground cover or turf.
The restoration, forage, and habitat value of A. hallii
is undetermined.
Bouteloua
gracilis Blue
Gramma:Characteristics: B. gracilis is a tufted perennial bunchgrass that
has a full-grown stature of 1 to 2 feet in height and 1 foot
in width. Its
foliage is green and it has a root depth of 16 inches.
Its flowering stems bloom in early summer and have a
red hue in the beginning of summer that bleaches to white from
sun exposure. Grows
during the warm-season and has a moderate life span.
Conditions: This bunchgrass tolerates regular water but is also
drought tolerant. It
can live in full sun and grows in sandy, loamy, or alkaline
soils. B. gracilis
can tolerate mowing and foot traffic.
Geographic location: B. gracilis finds home on plains in
Wisconsin
to
Manitoba
and
Alberta
, south to
Arkansas
,
Texas
, Southern California and into
Mexico
.
Applications:
It forms a very coarse turf substitute that, after
established, is a fairly level low-water-maintenance lawn if
mowed. Its florets and seeds are in a distinct ornamental
structure that is appealing in a yard.
After the first year of growth B. gracilis will
overcome weeds to provide native re-vegetation.
B. gracilis is also great for spring grazing.
Carex pansa
Dune Sedge: Characteristics: C. pansa is a very small creeping dune plant that
grows to be 4 inches tall and 3 1/2 inches to 3 feet wide.
This perennial has fine green leaves that make small tufts
when healthy. The
green florescence blooms in late spring and can remain
throughout the year. C.
pansa is a cool season grower that spreads by rhizomes. Conditions:
C. pansa favors partial shade or full sun and
tolerates seasonal flooding.
It prefers sandy or well-drained soil.
Foot traffic and mowing is all right; however, mowing
is not necessary.
Geographic locations: It is found in coastal woodland understory.
Even though it is a coastal species it adapts well to
other inland conditions.
It is found in California.
Applications: C. pansa
makes an excellent lawn substitute that deer will not eat. It
is also used for dune restoration and provides habitat cover
for many critters.
Deschampsia
caespitosa
Tufted Hairgrass: Characteristics: D. caespitosa is a densely tufted bunch grass that
reaches heights of 1 to 4 feet and a width of 2 feet.
It has narrow dark green leaves that are stiff and
rough to the touch. It
maintains its green color in mild climates.
This bunchgrass has a very attractive, airy flower
stalk that is variable in color, showing purple, silver,
green, or gold. Feathery inflorescence show up in late spring
or early summer. It
grows in spring and summer and if allowed to go dormant it
will turn a pale tan. This
perennial is long living and spreads by rhizomes.
Conditions: D.
caespitosa is flexible to weather conditions because it is
tolerant to water, including salty water, as well as drought.
Thrives under high shade canopy where it is humid;
however, it does best in semi-shade.
It prefers heavy soils, but can tolerate sandy soil.
D. caespitosa tolerates mowing and foot traffic.
Geographic Location: D. caespitosa is widely scattered in different
environmental conditions and geographic regions.
Commonly found in mountain meadows but also occurring
at lower elevations and along the coast near springs, bogs,
and marshes. In
California it is found from the high canopied pine forests of
the coast to higher elevations in the Cascades and Sierras.
It finds habitat east to the Rocky Mountains and
Atlantic coast. It
also exists north through Canada up to Alaska.
Applications: D.
caespitosa’s seed heads make a beautiful, graceful
impression that is complimentary to surrounding water
features. It acts
as a natural lawn or as a footpath and selections of the
species can be used for sports fields including soccer, rugby,
and golf. It is
valuable for erosion control and re-vegetation around water
areas such as ponds, streams, ditch banks, waterways, marshy
areas, swampy pastures, and alluvial areas.
D. caespitosa is an important forage grass in the West
that provides good food and cover for animals.
Livestock relish it, and if managed properly, will
respond well to grazing.
Festuca
californica California
fescue: Characteristics: This perennial grows in loose clumps that reach 2
to 5 feet high and a full-grown width of 1 to 2 feet. It has
blue-green or blue-gray leaves that maintain their color
throughout the year. In
late spring to early summer feathery flowers bloom from the
crown. The flower
spikes that are initially green change to purple and finally
turn a rich yellow. Its
root depth stretches to 8 inches.
F. californica is long lived and grows in the cool
season.
Conditions: Does well in sun or partial shade and tolerates drought
in cooler climates. It
can withstand a dry environment or extreme frost.
F. californica is adapted to various soil types
including serpentine soils but does need good drainage.
F. californica cannot tolerate regular foot traffic;
however, it can be mowed.
Geographic locations: F. californica is native to open dry ground,
chaparral slopes, and woodlands in the coastal mountains from
Oregon to Northern California.
It also grows west of the Sierras and in the Coast
Range from Santa Barbara to Oregon at 1000 to 5000 feet.
Applications: This striking, wiry, accent plant, can be used in
landscapes as a groundcover, turf, focal point, or in groups
for dramatic emphasis. Used
for erosion control to stabilize or restore disturbed sites.
In restoration it can benefit from association with a
nurse crop, such as brome or Elymus, since it is slow to establish.
Once it is established it can be expected to provide
long lasting benefits for erosion control, habitat value, fire
resistance, and as a striking aesthetic display.
It is excellent for habitat value, providing good
wildlife food and cover. As
forage F. californica’s use is limited to early growth
stages.
Festuca
Point
Joe
- Point Joe Fescue
:
A bunch grass well suited for a
water-wise lawn. Grows well in poor soil and drought
conditions. 1 foot tall round clumps and throws 2 foot
tall seed heads. Grass is blue in color and great for
coastal landscapes. For a manicured lawn, mow to
4".
Festuca idahoensis
Idaho Fescue: Characteristics:
This densely tufted bunchgrass grows in clumps that are
10 inches wide and 1 to 3 feet tall.
The color of its foliage ranges from blue-green to
silvery-blue. F.
idahoensis has tall culms with loosely bound panicles.
Its yellow flowers bloom in early summer.
It is generally fine-leafed; however, some blue-green
forms occasionally show a coarser texture.
It goes dormant in summer until the first rains of the
fall and grows in the cool season.
Spreads slowly by seeds and has a root depth of 14
inches. F.
idahoensis is a relatively long-living perennial.
Conditions: Can withstand a dry environment or extreme frost.
It will grow in most all exposures to sun.
F. idahoensis will tolerate drought and poor soil
conditions and is moderately tolerant to cool, wet soils.
It can survive foot traffic and rare mowing.
Geographic Locations: F. idahoensis grows in open woods or rocky
slopes and is widely adaptable from British Columbia to
Alberta, all the way south to central California and Colorado.
Applications: F.
idahoensis is excellent for landscape applications where soil
conditions are poor as a fine-leafed groundcover; turf
substitute; ornamental; or natural meadow.
It is also used as a cover crop in orchards and
vineyards because of its lack of water competition with the
economic crop, as well as its ability to suppress weeds while
keeping the soil structure open.
Provides erosion control while improving soil
structure. Acts as superb
nutritive forage for all livestock when it is both green and
cured. F.
idahoensis is highly palatable for livestock and can be used
as a component in pasture renovation.
Festuca
rubra Red
fescue: Characteristics: F. rubra is a loosely tufted perennial bunch grass
that grows from 8 inches to 2 feet tall. This
grass has tall culms and beautiful fine-leafed dark green
blades when watered. It
has flowers that are pale green with an occasional purple
tinge, which bloom in mid spring.
F. rubra is long-lived, growing in the cool season of
spring and fall while spreading by rhizomes.
Conditions: F. rubra is one of the most shade-tolerant of quality
turf grasses. It
flourishes best with cool summers and a damp growing season.
It requires partial shade and irrigation in hotter
climates. This
bunchgrass has the ability to withstand a range of conditions
including extreme frost, moist soils, or dry areas.
It needs good drainage but is adaptable to a wide range
of soils such as saline or low fertility soils.
For a nice lawn it takes well to occasional mowing and
foot traffic.
Geographic locations: It is found in bogs, meadows, and marshes
throughout California and
in the cooler parts of the Northern Hemisphere to around
8000 feet.
Applications: It presents a graceful windswept look when allowed to
grow to its maximum height and is especially dramatic as
hillside cover where it gives a fluid impression akin to a
water cascade. For
those wishing to escape the tyranny of the maintenance
requirements of the standard lawn, it makes a wonderful
natural looking lawn or groundcover.
Mixed with other grasses and wildflowers it can be used
as the base for the creation of a classic natural meadow.
Drought avoiding selections are also useful as a cover
crop in vineyards and orchards; for buffer zones and rough
areas on golf courses; and for use in stream bank and riparian
applications. F.
rubra is useful for erosion control, soil conservation, weed
competition, and re-vegetation.
Some examples of restoration uses include hillside
stabilization; waterway banking; and highway re-vegetation.
This grass is valuable forage that stays green after frost,
remaining good throughout fall for foraging.
Koeleria
macrantha Junegrass:
Characteristics: This tufted perennial bunch grass approaches 18
inches in height and 4 to 7 inches in width.
It has a low stature and fine appearance.
K. macrantha has green ribbon-like leaves and glossy
spike-like flower stalks with yellow seed heads that bloom in
late spring. It is
long-lived, growing in spring and fall and spreading by
rhizomes.
Conditions: It prefers hot summers without water and can tolerate
partial shade. K.
macrantha is widely adapted, living in dry, thin, rocky,
sandy, or saline soils of low fertility.
It is low maintenance but can be mowed.
Some selections of K. macrantha can tolerate regular
foot traffic.
Geographic location: K. macrantha is found in the prairie, open
woods, and slopes throughout North America from Ontario to
British Columbia, south to Delaware, Missouri, Louisiana, and
California as well as in much of the temperate world below
11,000 feet.
Applications:
K. macrantha is great for lawns or native meadows.
We have two selections, ‘Los
Padres’, a native selection, which grows to full height, and
a low growing selection, ‘Barkoel’,
selected from northern Europe, which is bright green,
slow-growing and shows tremendous potential for a drought
tolerant, low maintenance lawn and for use on water-conscious
golf courses. Used
for re-vegetation, it acts as an early successional species in
very dry sites that protects later successional species.
K. macrantha makes good early spring and fall (after
curing) forage that is relished by livestock and wildlife.
Melica californica
California Oniongrass: Characteristics: This perennial can be densely or loosely tufted and
grows 2 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 7 inches wide.
Its leaves are bright green with a delicate appearance.
Its flowering culms are silvery and ornamental, arching
horizontally from its swollen, onion-like base.
The white to purple inflorescence blooms during the
summer. Growing in
the cool season, it goes dormant in the summer resisting
efforts to revive with water.
It is short-lived and has
rhizomatous roots that grow well once established, with
accelerating growth in the second year.
Conditions: M.
californica likes moist environments and tolerates a range of
sun exposures from full sun, partial sun, to full shade.
It does well in sandy, clay, or serpentine soil.
M. californica tolerates mowing but not foot traffic.
Geographic locations: M. californica is common on oak covered north
slopes, gullies covered with Baccharis, canyons, foothills,
mountain meadows, rocky woods, and occasionally chaparral
areas. Common associated plants are Mimulus, Ferns, Lonicera,
and Ribes. It is
found at low to middle elevations, below 5000 feet, in
California and Oregon.
Applications: It can be used as a winter lawn that requires little
water and maintenance. M. californica is also used in moist
rock gardens or shade gardens.
M. californica is small but can add balance and finish
to a native garden. It is useful as a component of cover crops
in vineyards and orchards, subsoil slips, and road cuts.
As a component of restoration mixes it adds a bright
green seasonal appearance and diversity of habit, especially
for difficult rocky and dry sites.
This nutritious forage is very palatable to livestock
and deer. Birds
find its seeds to be delectable.
Poa secunda
Pine bluegrass: Characteristics: A very attractive, low-growing, perennial bunch
grass. Growth form
ranges from small tufts with only one or two erect culms to
large bunches up to 1 foot in diameter.
Its height varies from 20 to 40 inches. It has soft
foliage and an attractive flower and seed head that matures in
May. P. secunda is
a cool-season grower that will go dormant during the summer
and after flowering at lower elevations.
In the mountains or cool sites it will continue
growing, remaining green despite its tendency to summer
dormancy and the availability of water.
It is relatively short lived and has a dense shallow
root mass.
Conditions: P. secunda can tolerate full sun and partial shade.
It is very drought tolerant and does not like water
after flowering. It
grows well in rich clay loam soils but is most often found on
dry, rocky, or sandy soils that provide good drainage.
It is also adapted to thin soils and subsoil.
It requires mowing well and can tolerate minimal foot
traffic.
Geographic location: It is found from sea level to high into the
mountains. It is
very adaptable to many habitats such as semi-desert, ridge
tops, flats, slopes, meadows, and open timberline.
P. secunda can be found in these habitats from
southeastern Alaska across to southern Canada, throughout the
western and Great Plains states to Arkansas and the Great
Lakes region.
Applications:
P. secunda provides a transition, perhaps in prairie or dry
meadows, between natural habitat and lawn.
It also shows promise as a low-water using turf
alternative. Since
at lower elevations it will go summer dormant, despite the
availability of water, it is thus excellent for use as a cover
crop in vineyards and orchards.
It is a great cover crop alone or in conjunction with Festuca
idahoensis and Festuca
rubra ‘Molate’. A
fine choice for use in re-vegetation and restoration
situations, where water is unavailable such as for use along
road cuts and fills sites.
It prevents the establishment and spread of noxious
weeds as well as providing exceptional erosion control.
It provides excellent, nutritious forage in the summer,
depending on location, for cattle, sheep, horses, pronghorn,
elk, mule, deer, small mammals, small non-game birds, and
upland game birds.
(Descriptions and some photos provided by
Rana Creek Nursery.)
Glossary of
Terms:
Awns:
A stiff bristle projecting from the tip of a plant
organ, for example, from the sheath surrounding a cereal or
grass seed.
Chaparral:
A dense thicket of shrubs or small trees, especially of
evergreen oaks in southern California.
Culm: a stem with
a single embryo.
Curing:
to age
Geniculate:
with a joint or joints that can be bent like a knee
Inflorescence:
the flowers
Nurse Crop:
a plant that has a short-lived
Turf substitute:
a plant that can act as a rough lawn.
Panicle:
a loose branching, pyramid- shaped cluster of flowers
Perennial:
a plant that continues to grow for many years or
several growing seasons. This
contrasts with an annual that lives for only one year or one
growing season.
Rhizomes:
a plant that has rhizomes produces shoots that grow
horizontally and shallow roots that grow from under the
shoots. This makes
for a plant that grows horizontally, seeming to creep along
the ground.
Some
of the above varieties are available as plugs or
seeds on a seasonal basis at the below nurseries. Some grasses are
not available year round. Please call ahead for availability.
| Table
1. Partial
List of Local Nurseries that Sell Water-Wise Grasses and
Plants |
| Name |
Address |
Phone and
Website
|
Notes |
|
Central
Coast Wilds
|
336 Golf Club Drive, Santa
Cruz, Ca 95060 |
(831)
459-0655
www.centralcoastwilds.com |
Several
demonstration plots
showing grasses. |
|
Native
Revival Nursery |
2600 Mar Vista Drive,
Aptos, Ca 95003 |
(831) 684-1811 www.nativerevival.com |
Focus is on California
native plants and grasses. Can also do contract growing. |
|
Pacific
Ground Cover & Nursery |
2440 Mattison Lane Santa
Cruz, CA 95062 |
831-462-1610 www.pacificgroundcovers.com |
Large selection of ground
covers and other water-wise plants |
|
Rana
Creek Nursery |
35351 E. Carmel Valley Rd.
Carmel Valley, Ca 93924 |
(831) 659-3820 www.ranacreek.com |
Large selection of grasses.
Lots of information on website. Wholesale only. |
|
Sierra
Azul Nursery and Gardens |
2660 E. Lake Ave.
(Hwy 152) Watsonville, Ca 95076 |
(831) 763-0939 www.sierraazul.com |
Specializes in plants, and
some grasses |
|
Elkhorn
Native Plant Nursery |
1757B Highway 1, Moss
Landing, Ca 95039
and
362 N. Main St. Soquel, Ca
95073 This site by appointment only |
(831) 763-1207
www.elkhornnursery.com |
Variety of grasses and
plants.
Moss Landing location open
to the public on Fridays and contractors M-F.
Soquel
location only available by appointment only. |
|
Please note:
Soquel Creek Water District does not endorse
specific nurseries, nor does it guarantee materials or
workmanship; acceptance of such is the customer's
responsibility. If
a nursery would like its name added to the list, please
call Ron Duncan at 831 475-8500. |
|
