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Turfgrass Information

Buffalo Grass, Buchloe dactyloides

Big Bluestem

Full Sun, Native, Warm-season

Buffalo grass is a prairie native that can be used as an alternative to typical turfgrasses or groundcovers for a natural look. It has a light green color and fine texture. It prefers full sun and should not be planted in sandy or wet areas. As a warm-season grass, it takes longer to green up in the spring, flourishes in the hot summer heat, and will turn brown after the first frost. It spreads by stolons (runners), and the pictures show how it fills in an area relatively quickly. It did very well its first season in the trial.

The patch of Buffalo grass filled in nicely during the second year. It was never mowed or trimmed yet it maintained a reasonable height all season.


Advertised HeightAdvertised Zone

4-8”

4

YearHeight/Width
Year 16”/10”
Year 26”/18”
DatePictures
June 2007Big Bluestem
September 2007Big Bluestem
February 2008Big Bluestem
September 2008Big Bluestem
September 2009Big Bluestem
September 2009Big Bluestem
November 2009Big Bluestem