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Introduction
The “Guide to Grasses” handbook was designed to offer you an appreciation and brief technical reference to the most valuable plants in the central Great Plains and Rocky Mountain Region. The focus is on successful grasses for seeding in Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas, as well as neighboring states outside of this region.
In this edition we have described 92 common grasses and legume species to help our customers make better selections for successful planting. This guide may not be the only source of information for selection and care of grasses and legumes. However, we hope you find it to be a handy reference to help you in your selection of the best plant species, as well as useful when you are out in the field. It is advisable to contact the plant experts at Pawnee Buttes Seed Inc., and consult with your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for additional information before planting.
Don Hijar has owned Pawnee Buttes Seed, Inc. since 1998. He brings with him more than 30 years in the seed industry as a business owner, teacher, and advisor to universities, neighbors, businesses and customers alike. Pawnee Buttes Seeds sells grasses, forbs, shrubs, alfalfas, legumes, wetland and riparian species, and offers expertise in turf, reclamation and forage. We pride ourselves on a friendly and knowledgeable staff, and we look forward to helping you with your planting needs. Please feel free to call us with any questions at (800) 782-5947.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to the memory of Janine Hijar, co-owner of Pawnee Buttes Seed, wife, and friend to everyone. Janine’s spirit and hard work were a huge part of the success of Pawnee Buttes Seed, as was her passion for the western seed industry.
She is greatly missed.
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All rights reserved.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced
in any form without the permission of
Pawnee Buttes Seed.
*Legend: 1=Slight tolerance, 2=Moderate tolerance 3=High tolerance
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
Common Name^ Bunch/SodCool/WarmNative/Intro.ForageReclaimationRestorationTurfClaySandAcidSalt Alkaligrass Weeping B C N x x 3 3 16 2.0-3.0 1.0-1. Bentgrass Colonial S C I x x 1 1 1 18 1.0-2.0 0.5-1. Bentgrass Creeping S C I x 1 1 1 18 0.5-1.0 0.5-1. Bentgrass Redtop S C I x x x 2 24 4.0-5.0 –––– Bermudagrass S W I x x 1 2 18 11-23 1.0-1. Bluegrass Alpine B C N x 2 22 1.0-2.0 –––– Bluegrass Annual B C I x x 1 18 1.0-2.0 1.0-2. Bluegrass Bulbous B C I x 16 3.0-6.0 –––– Bluegrass Canada B C I x x 1 1 2 15 0.5-1.0 1.0-2. Bluegrass Canby B C N x x 1 1 1 16 1.0-2.0 –––– Bluegrass Fowl S C N x 1 18 1.0-2.0 1.0-2. Bluegrass Glaucous B C I x x 1 18 0.5-1.0 1.0-2. Bluegrass Kentucky S C I x x 1 18 1.0-2.0 1.0-1. Bluegrass Rough S C I x 1 18 1.0-2.0 1.0-1. Bluegrass Sandburg B C N x x 2 16 1.0-3.0 –––– Bluestem Big S W N x x x 2 18 6.0-12 –––– Bluestem Caucasian S W I x 1 16 3.0-7.0 –––– Bluestem Little B W N x x 1 15 3.5-7.0 –––– Bluestem Sand S W N x x x 3 15 8.0-16 –––– Bluestem Yellow B W I x x 1 15 1.0-2.5 –––– Bristlegrass Plains B W N x x 2 2 12 3.0-6.0 –––– Brome Meadow B C I x 1 16 12-24 –––– Brome Mountain B C N x x 1 18 10-20 –––– Brome Smooth S C I x x 1 14 6.0-10 –––– Buffalograss S W N x x x x 2 1 2 10 11-20 1.5-2. Canarygrass Reed S C N x x x 1 1 2 18 3.0-6.0 –––– Cordgrass Prairie S W N x x 2 18 5.0-7.0 –––– Dropseed Sand B W N x x x 3 1 10 0.2-1.0 –––– Fescue Alpine S C N x x 2 20 2.0-4.0 –––– Fescue Arizona B C N x x 1 14 2.0-5.0 –––– Fescue Chewing S C I x 1 1 18 1.5-3.0 3.5-4. Fescue Creeping Red S C I x 1 1 18 1.5-3.0 3.5-4. Fescue Hard B C I x x x 1 1 14 1.5-3.0 3.0-4. Fescue Idaho B C N x x x 1 1 15 2.0-3.5 –––– Fescue Rocky Mountain B C N x x x 1 1 1 15 1.5-3.0 3.0-4. Fescue Rough B C N x x 1 12 4.0-8.0 –––– Fescue Sheep B C N x x 2 10 1.5-3.0 3.0-4. Fescue Tall B C I x x x 1 1 2 16 4.0-8.0 7.0-9. Foxtail Creeping Meadow S C I x x 2 1 20 1.5-3.0 –––– Galleta James’ S W N x x x 1 1 2 10 2.0-10 –––– Grama Black S W N x x 1 1 16 1.0-2.0 –––– Grama Blue S W N x x x 1 1 2 12 1.0-3.0 1.5-3. Grama Sideoats B W N x x 1 12 4.0-8.0 –––– Hairgrass Tufted B C N x x 3 20 1.0-1.5 –––– Indiangrass Yellow S W N x x x 2 2 2 2 16 4.5-10 –––– Junegrass Prairie B C N x x 1 16 0.5-1.0 ––––
ppt Field Turf inch lbs./ac. lbs./1000 s.f.
Soil Uses Tolerances* Seeding Rate Min.
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
Common Name^ Bunch/SodCool/WarmNative/Intro.ForageReclaimationRestorationTurfClaySandAcidSalt Kleingrass B W I x 2 1 2 18 1.0-2.0 –––– Lovegrass Sand B W N x x x 3 14 1.0-2.0 –––– Lovegrass Weeping B W I x x x 2 16 1.0-2.0 –––– Muhly Spike B W N x x 1 1 1 16 1.0-1.5 –––– Needlegrass Green B C N x x x 3 1 16 5.0-10.0 –––– Needlegrass Needle and Thread B C N x x 2 10 7.0-14.0 –––– Orchardgrass B C I x x 3 1 2 1 18 1.5-3.0 –––– Ricegrass Indian B C N x x 1 3 2 8 5.0-10.0 –––– Ryegrass Annual/Italian B C I x x 2 2 1 16 4.0-8.0 7.0-9. Ryegrass Perennial B C I x x 2 2 1 16 4.0-8.0 7.0-9. Sacaton Alkali B C N x x x 3 1 3 10 0.5-1.5 –––– Saltgrass Inland S W N x x 2 2 3 12 5.0-10.0 –––– Sandreed Prairie S W N x x x 3 12 4.0-7.0 –––– Sprangletop Green B W N x x 2 11 1.5-2.5 –––– Squirreltail Bottlebrush B C N x x x 1 2 3 8 4.0-9.0 –––– Switchgrass S W N x x 1 2 2 16 2.0-4.0 –––– Timothy B C I x x 1 1 16 1.0-2.0 –––– Timothy Alpine S C N x x 2 18 1.0-2.0 –––– Wheatgrass Beardless B C N x x 1 10 5.0-10.0 –––– Wheatgrass Bluebunch B C N x x 1 10 5.0-10.0 –––– Wheatgrass Crested B C I x x x 1 2 9 3.5-8.0 3.0-5. Wheatgrass Hybrid S C I x x 3 13 10.0-14.0 –––– Wheatgrass Intermediate S C I x x 1 1 15 5.0-15.0 –––– Wheatgrass Pubescent S C I x x 1 2 14 5.0-15.0 –––– Wheatgrass Siberian B C I x 1 2 9 4.5-9.5 –––– Wheatgrass Slender B C N x xc x 2 12 5.5-11.0 –––– Wheatgrass Streambank S C N x x x 1 1 10 5.5-11 4.0-6. Wheatgrass Tall B C I x x 3 16 10.0-20.0 –––– Wheatgrass Thickspike S C N x x x 1 2 10 5.0-10.0 –––– Wheatgrass Western S C N x x x 2 2 14 7.0-15.0 –––– Wildrye Altai B C I x x 2 14 15.0-20.0 –––– Wildrye Basin B C N x x x 2 12 5.0-10.0 –––– Wildrye Beardless S C N x x x 3 14 6.5-13.0 –––– Wildrye Blue B C N x x 2 14 7.0-13.0 –––– Wildrye Canada B C N x x 2 12 5.0-10.0 –––– Wildrye Mammoth S C I x 2 2 12 5.0-10.0 –––– Wildrye Russian B C I x x 2 2 8 5.0-10.0 –––– Wildrye Virginia B C N x x 2 24 10.0-20.0 –––– LEGUMES Alfalfa B C I x 2 1 16 6.0-10.0 –––– Clover Alsike S C I x x 3 2 16 6.0-8.0 –––– Clover Red B C I x x 2 12 3.0-6.0 –––– Clover White S C I x x x 1 14 4.0-6.0 3.0-5. Milkvetch Chickpea S C I x x 1 1 15 6.0-12.0 –––– Sainfoin S C I x 16 20.0-25.0 –––– Sweetclover Yellow B C I x x 1 1 1 10 3.0-6.0 –––– Trefoil Birdsfoot B C I x 1 18 3.0-6.0 ––––
ppt Field Turf inch lbs./ac. lbs./1000 s.f.
*Legend: 1=Slight tolerance, 2=Moderate tolerance 3=High tolerance
Soil Uses Tolerances* Seeding Rate Min.
Seeding Rate Recommendations
Seeding rates are generally shown as a range based on several factors: size of seed (numbers of seeds per pound), planting method (drilling or broadcasting), irrigated or non-irrigated plantings, annual precipitation, and/or steep slope, critical areas.
The recommended seeding rates (pounds PLS per acre) are calculated from the average number of seeds (PLS) per square foot: Twenty (20) seeds (PLS) per square foot is generally used as the base rate of seeding and seeding rates generally range from 20 to 40 seeds (PLS) per square foot. The seeding rate should be increased from the minimum if average annual precipitation is greater than 18 inches or the seed is extremely small. Forty seeds/square foot should be used if the site is steep or irrigated. Anytime seed is being applied with a broadcast seeder the seeding rate should be doubled. Consult a specialist if you have an unusual situation or any questions.
For seeding turf grass the seeding rate recommended is given as lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. The seeding rate for turf is approximately the same (lbs. PLS per 1,000-sq. ft.) as the forage rate (lbs. PLS per acre).
General Seeding Date Recommendations
Cool season and hardseed species should be planted in the fall or early spring. Warm season species should be planted in a fallowed seedbed, in the spring or summer prior to the most reliable rainy season. From New Mexico south, July through early September is the best time to plant. It is important to remember that valuable moisture escapes when you work a seedbed just prior to planting. With mixtures of cool and warm season species, use warm season dates unless cool seasons are the dominant species desired.
In the mountainous high altitude areas, generally seed as soon as possible after a disturbance, but, at least 30 days before frost. Fall dormant seedings are also good at high elevations.
Irrigated seeding dates are more flexible and can be adapted to availability of water and time of season. Weeds should be controlled on all new seedings.
For more specific seeding date information, please refer to the species information pages or USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, VegSpec website, and State Seeding Specifications. Information can be obtained from local offices.
Light Texture Medium Texture / Loams Heavy Texture
Sand Sandy Silty Clayey Clay
Soil Texture Classifications Used
PAGE INDEX TO SPECIES BY COMMON NAME
GRASSES
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NOTES
ALKALIGRASS (WEEPING) Puccinella distans
ORIGIN AND DESCRIPTION
Native to the Western and Northeastern U.S., the Great Plains, New Mexico to Canada. A cool- season, low-growing, erect, perennial bunch- grass. Panicle seed heads are semi-prostrate feathery with a tan appearance. Culms 1 to 1 1/2’ tall and form a loose matted turf. Leaves are narrow and dark green. Associated with alkali sacaton on moist saline and alkali soils in the central Great Plains.
GROWTH HABITS AND
ENVIRONMENTAL PREFERENCES
Adapted to a wide range of soils and climactic conditions. Grows in clay, clay loam to sandy soils. Often found in pure stands on alkali soils.
Has the ability to establish on salty soils. Will tolerate wet soils and adapted with 16” ppt. Begins growth in May and June and continues through the summer. Good cold tolerance.
CULTURE
Drill seed about 1/2” deep in pure stands at a rate of 2 to 3 lbs. PLS per acre in a firm seedbed. Plant March to April in the central Great Plains, earlier in southern Great Plains and June to July 15th in the Southwest; often seeded in winter months with emergence expected with rising soil temperatures. Keep surface moist during first 3 to 4 weeks. Better establishment with protec- tive cover of standing stubble or mulch.
USE AND MANAGEMENT
Suited for reclamation, roadside stabilization, fairway roughs, and turf on heavy saline-alkali soils. It is generally crowded out on neutral and acid soils by other species such as Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue. Ideal for ground cover on saline and alkali soils. Can be cut at a 1/2” height for dense upright stands and playable fairways or 2” height for golf course roughs, landscaping and home lawns. Can be used in mixtures with fescue and bluegrass species for extra fine turf. Has excellent persistence along road shoulders where salt hazard exists. Also adapted where low quality water or waste effluent is utilized.
IMPROVED VARIETIES
‘Fults’ released from Colorado
CREEPING BENTGRASS Agrostis stolonifera
ORIGIN AND DESCRIPTION
Introduced from Europe; widely naturalized in the U. S. Cool season, stoloniferous grass, 6 to 16” tall. Densely tufted and turf-forming, fine- textured, short green leaves, mostly basal. Inflorescence an open panicle, pyramid, or cone shaped. Abundant short stolons.
GROWTH HABITS AND
ENVIRONMENTAL PREFERENCES
Thrives in moist, cool, temperate climates, fertile
sandy to clayey alluvial soils high in organic matter. Survives, but low growth on sands, dense clays, and thin soils. Weakly tolerant of acidic and salty soils. Adapted on wet soils but intolerant of prolonged flooding, high water tables, or poor drainage.
CULTURE
Drill no deeper than 1/4” on heavier soils and 1/2” on lighter textured soils. Often broadcasted and rolled or cultipacked to press seed into sur- face soil. Supplemental mulch improves stand establishment. Seeding about 0.5 to 1 lbs. PLS per acre for erosion control, or 0.5 to 1 lbs. seed per 1,000-sq. ft. for turf. Weak seedling vigor. Need to keep moist. Consider sod transplanting where early cover is needed. Plant in August to September for humid lowland elevations, or in early spring, especially when a legume is included in mixture. Commonly seeded alone or in mixtures with Blue Grasses (Poa spp.) and Clovers (Trifolium spp.) and other turf grasses.
USE AND MANAGEMENT
Used for lawns, fairways, putting greens, and erosion control. Planted on putting greens throughout much of the U.S. Good with other turf grasses and clovers for amenity grasslands or landscaping around industrial sites. Also used in mountain, Northern Great Plains, and cornbelt waterways. Good cold and winter hardiness.
IMPROVED VARIETIES
Eleven strains or cultivars listed in 1994 Grass Varieties of the United States USDA SCS Handbook 170. Consult with state or local plant materials specialists for varieties best adapted to specific sites and purposes.
REDTOP BENTGRASS Agrostis gigantea
ORIGIN AND DESCRIPTION
Native to Europe, introduced as a cultivated species. Naturalized in the more humid areas of the U.S., especially in northeastern and north central regions. Cool season, strong rhizomes, perennial sod grass with decumbent to semi erect culms 1 to 4’ tall. Leaves are harsh and seed head is a purplish-red loose panicle.
GROWTH HABITS AND
ENVIRONMENTAL PREFERENCES
Thrives best on moist to semi-wet soils. No marked soil textures limitation when moisture is abundant, otherwise best on clay loam and loam
soils. Tolerant of moderately acidic and nutri- tionally poor soil. Not suited for planting on limey soils or on limestone sites. Mostly in mountain meadows and subalpine grasslands with openings in canopy cover. Adapted on poorly drained acid soils.
CULTURE
Seed no deeper than 1/2”, preferably shallower on finer textured and moist soils. Cover broad- casted shallow or seed may be pressed into soil with a cultipacker. Rates for drill seeding 4 to 5 lbs. PLS per acre. Commonly used 8 to 10 lbs. per acre, adequate for broadcasting seeding with poor seedbeds and harsh sites. Seeding time usually early spring, late fall, early fall, or in June or July, later dates for higher mountain areas.
USE AND MANAGEMENT
Species seeded for pastures, meadows, turf and occasionally for hay. Also used for waterways, and ditch bank cover. Seeded in burned or cut over timberlands and to retard weed invasion in wet lowlands. Use to revegetate acid mine spoils. Good palatability for livestock in spring and early summer. Fair palatability after headed but poor in winter. Good grazing resistance. Quick cover species on game range restoration and disturbed land. Species starts growth early to mid-spring, vary- ing with latitude and altitude, matures in mid to late summer and makes fair volume of fall regrowth in wet sites. Tolerant of semi-shaded environments. Redtop and Alsike Clover make a good mixture for wet meadows and subirrigated sites. Moder- ately competitive, but maybe slightly too aggressive for weaker turf species.
IMPROVED VARIETIES
‘Streaker’ released by Jacklin Seed Co. Idaho ‘Dominant Extreme’
ALPINE BLUEGRASS Poa alpina
ORIGIN AND DESCRIPTION
Native to mountainous areas. Grows in the cooler and high elevation regions of the U.S. Short erect bunchgrass, culms 8 to 24” tall, arising from a tight crown and short leaf blades. Occurs in Colorado, Utah, Washington, and Oregon. Flowering head is panicle 1 to 2” long.
GROWTH HABITS AND
ENVIRONMENTAL PREFERENCES
Cold tolerant, occurring in the alpine and sub- alpine zones. Common in mountain meadows, bogs, and wet places. Naturally colonizes in open or disturbed sites in western mountains. Also grows on relatively well-drained soils and grassy slopes. Associated with other moisture loving plants such as Alpine Timothy, Meadow Sedges and Rushes, Redtop and Willows.
CULTURE
Plant seed 1/4 - 1/2” deep on coarsely textured soils and 1/4” or shallower on fine-textured soils. Better stands obtained on firm seedbed. Drill about 1 to 2 lbs. PLS per acre for satisfac- tory stands. Increase rate 50 - 100% for harsh sites, steep open exposures, poorer seedbeds and when broadcasting. Plant seed as soon after dis- turbance as possible in mountain environment. Mulching is recommended. Protect new seeding from grazing.
USE AND MANAGEMENT
Used in seeding mixtures for erosion control, reclamation, and restoration in alpine and sub- alpine region. Adapted for use on big game ranges and to protect roads, ski slopes, and mined lands. Will establish on gravely alpine slopes.
IMPROVED VARIETIES
‘Gruening’ released from Alaska
ANNUAL BLUEGRASS Poa annua
ORIGIN AND DESCRIPTION
Introduced from Europe, and has become natu- ralized over most of the U.S. Invades lawns and turf grasses. Small, annual, cool season tufted bunchgrass. Plants 1 to 8” tall with panicle head 1 to 2” long. Sometimes growing in water, plants will become taller and slender.
GROWTH HABITS AND
ENVIRONMENTAL PREFERENCES
Growth begins in the fall or early spring and blooms very early. Some blooming occurs in the fall. Plants often found on dry shallow soils. Makes the most growth where fall moisture is available. May die out with hot weather.
CULTURE
Plant seed 1/4 - 1/2” deep on coarse textured soils and 1/4” or shallower on fine-textured soils. Plant at 1 to 2 lbs. PLS per acre. Good seedling vigor and early growth.
USE AND MANAGEMENT
Used for lawns, paths, along streams, and road- sides. Tolerates close mowing and produces seed under regular mowing height of 1/2”. Under cool conditions, volunteer stands provide good to fair turf. May be useful as fall and spring cover in Bermuda Grass fairways. Over seed for green cover during winter in the south.
IMPROVED VARIETIES
Plant breeders are working on selecting more useful and desirable varieties of annual bluegrass.
CANADA BLUEGRASS Poa compressa
ORIGIN AND DESCRIPTION
Introduced from Eurasia and naturalized in dis- turbed areas in Kentucky Bluegrass range. Grows in more open, bunchy sods then Kentucky Bluegrass. Low growing rhizomatous perennial grass; has distinctly flat stems, short blue green to dark green leaves, head is a short condensed panicles.
GROWTH HABIT AND
ENVIRONMENT PREFERENCE
Thrives in moist, cool, temperate climates, fertile sandy to clayey alluvial soils high in organic matter. Tolerates moderately acid, drought, and thin soil in sites with over 15” ppt. in northeastern and western mountains regions. Adapted to open, rather poor, dry soils.
CULTURE
Drill no deeper than 1/2” on heavier soils or 1/4” on lighter textured soils. Often broadcasted and rolled or cultipacked to press seed into surface soil. Supplemental mulch improves stand estab- lishment. Seeding about 0.5 to 1 lb. PLS per acre forage or 1 to 2 lbs. seed per 1,000-sq. ft. for turf. Need to keep moist for establishment. Consider sod transplanting where early rapid cover is desired. Plant in early fall (August to September) or early spring for humid lowland elevations, late fall, especially when a legume is included and soils not subject to crusting.
USE AND MANAGEMENT
Used for low maintenance landscaping, stabi- lization of disturbed soils, and in pasture mixtures on poorer sites not suited to higher producing pasture species. Does not withstand heavy graz- ing. Sometimes used in Ohio and Illinois coal districts for reclamation of coalmines.
IMPROVED VARIETIES
‘Rubens’ released by Jacklin Seed Co ‘Canon’ released from Canada ‘Talon’ released from Canada ‘Foothills’ released from Montana
CANBY BLUEGRASS Poa secunda
ORIGIN AND DESCRIPTION
Native to western U.S., Rocky Mountain, and Northern Great Plains region. Short, cool season, Bunchgrass. Small and densely tufted, culms 8 to 16” tall, typically under 12” tall. Leaves short and mostly basal blades folded or involute and soft with boat-shaped tips. Panicles yellowish, short, narrow-contracted. Shallow or sometimes deep, finely branched, fibrous root system.
GROWTH HABIT AND
ENVIRONMENTAL PREFERENCES
Adapted to all soil textures, often a primary native in shallow, rocky, and droughty soils. Adapted to weakly acid, alkaline, and saline soils. Intolerant of prolonged flooding and high water tables but occurs on imperfectly drained sites saturated briefly in spring. Species are scattered from low altitude cold deserts and plains to alpine elevations. Local sources of native seed, cold tolerant and winter-hardy. Avoid using seed from habitats differing greatly.
Moderately shade tolerant and fire tolerant when dormant. Seedlings weakly competitive but plants compatible and competitive when fully established, often self-seeding and filling in bare spaces and suppressing weedy Cheat- grass invasion.
CULTURE
Drill on well-prepared and firmed seedbeds at 1/2” - 1/4” depths. Plant 1 to 2 lbs. PLS per acre. Use 1 to 2 lbs. PLS per 1,000-sq. ft. for turf grass. Double seeding rate when broadcasting for harsh, dry, and erosive sites. Seed early spring at higher elevations. Late fall suggested for Pacific Northwest and Intermountain States. Seedling vigor may be weak, requires weed control and protect from grazing during establishment period.
USE AND MANAGEMENT
Used as low maintenance turf and forest roads in Northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. Low volume forage and seed producer, makes growth in early spring, poor volume of summer regrowth and fair volume in fall. Good palata- bility while green, moderately used by elk and deer. Growth starts in early spring ahead of native cool season species and matures in early summer or later at high mountain elevations, becomes dormant in summer and renews growth with fall rains. Good grazing tolerance due to short growth form and early maturity behaves as an increaser on most rangelands and may domi- nate overgrazed Sagebrush-grass and deep soils of the northern prairie communities. Canby Bluegrass is similar to Sandberg Blue- grass but is taller, more vigorous, longer leaved, later maturing, and more productive. Occurs intermixed with Sandberg Bluegrass on more favorable sites. Canby is distinctly superior to Sandberg Bluegrass in production.
IMPROVED VARIETIES
‘Canbar’ released from Idaho and Oregon ‘Service’ released from Alaska 'Opportunity" germplasm release Montana
