Koeleria macrantha

Common Names

Prairie Junegrass, Junegrass, June Grass, Crested Hairgrass, Prairie Koeler's Grass, Prairie June Grass

Summary

Koeleria macrantha, commonly called Prairie Junegrass, is native to most of North America and also found in Europe and Asia. It is a cool-season, clump-forming perennial bunch grass that grows as compact erect tufts about 0.5–2 ft tall, with basal blue-green to gray-green leaves and a dense, silvery-green seedhead that rises above the foliage; spikelets range from pale green to purplish, and the inflorescence is nearly cylindrical, maturing to tan.

Prefers full sun and well-drained dry to sandy or rocky soils; drought-tolerant with low maintenance and few pests; propagation by seed (fall sow or spring stratification) or by division in early spring; self-seeds under favorable conditions. Used for prairie restoration, native seed mixes, massing plantings, erosion control, and wildlife habitat, it attracts bees and other pollinators and provides forage for livestock.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-24 inches

Spread

6-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun, also tolerates Partial Sun and Partial Shade

Soil Type

Dry to medium, well-drained soils; sandy or loamy textures (rocky or gritty preferred) with good drainage; avoid wet or heavy/clay soils.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils; dry to medium moisture; avoid wet or heavy soils.

Soil pH

6.0-8.0

Bloom Color

Yellow-green or purplish

Bloom Time

Late spring to early summer.

Foliage Color

Green (ranging from light green to bluish green; sometimes tinged with gray-green or green-gray)

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow, Brown

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Koeleria macrantha propagates by seeds and by division.

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds and pollinators (bees, butterflies, and other pollinators).