Koeleria macrantha

Junegrass (Koeleria macrantha) produces lustrous silver-green seedheads in early summer. The supporting foliage is an attractive green-gray color.? June Grass grows actively when soil temps are cooler- spring and fall. It prefers full sun and dry, sandy soil.? An excellent companion for shorter prairie flowers, such as Prairie Smoke?and Lupine, Junegrass will not grow in clay. Also known as Prairie June Grass. Zones 3 - 8.

An attractive California native bunch grass (most abundant in coast ranches) a clumping, cool season grass, it grows in many situations including dry, rocky or sandy soil. The blue-green foliage forms vertical tufts, 1-2' tall and 9"wide. The narrow flower stalks thrust up another 1 - 1 1/2', starting out a glossy green, and age to gold. Flowers start in June and are showy throughout July. Ideal for drifts and masses, and will provide an effective slope cover, or ground cover, in hot, dry Summer climates. An excellent choice for naturalizing in large areas. Will take light shade, and some moisture, if drainage is good, but does not like heavy, wet, or moist, fertile soil or deep shade.