Buffalograss
A warm season grass native to the Great Plains, buffalograss is a good option for a water-conserving lawn. It is a fine textured, uniform grass with blades that are medium green in color. It is dormant from October to early May, when its blades are a light tan color.
Buffalograss has a more uniform appearance and green color than blue grama. It grows best in areas below 6,800 feet in elevation.
It uses one-third of the water that a traditional Kentucky bluegrass lawn uses. It tolerates heat, drought and a wide range of soil types, growing best in clay soils. It is not suited shaded areas, sandy soils, or elevations above 6,800 feet with short, cool summers.
Buffalograss
A warm season grass native to the Great Plains, buffalograss is a good option for a water-conserving lawn. It is a fine textured, uniform grass with blades that are medium green in color. It is dormant from October to early May, when its blades are a light tan color.
Buffalograss has a more uniform appearance and green color than blue grama. It grows best in areas below 6,800 feet in elevation.
It uses one-third of the water that a traditional Kentucky bluegrass lawn uses. It tolerates heat, drought and a wide range of soil types, growing best in clay soils. It is not suited shaded areas, sandy soils, or elevations above 6,800 feet with short, cool summers.
Plant details
Botanic Name
Bouteloua dactyloides
Pronunciation
boo-KLOH-ee dak-ty-LO-id-eez
Mature Height
about 4 in. in height
Mature Spread
6 to 24 in., spreads by stolons to fill in an area
Water usage
One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.
Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.
Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.
Flower Color
negligible
Bloom time
August
Colorado Native
Yes
Natural Habitat
central plains of North America
Light Requirements
sun
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 3-11
Elevation Limit
hardy to 7,000 ft.
Performance
There are three areas of buffalograss at the Water Wise Demonstration Garden. In one area, it is mixed with blue grama grass and has a less uniform, naturalistic look.
In two other areas, it is planted by itself (Sundancer and Prestige cultivars). Both of these plots have a much more uniform, lawn-like appearance.
Maintenance
Buffalograss can be seeded in mid-June to early July. Plugs of buffalograss may be planted in very late spring through summer. Fertilize in June. Can be mowed or left unmowed.
See in a landscape
Buffalograss is a great way to prevent erosion on the steep hillside of this Colorado Springs residence. Since buffalograss can tolerate some foot traffic, this terraced area is great for some activity while fitting into the native area. Buffalograss works well for a full sun area that requires medium traffic and very low water.
This front yard is a nice balance between contemporary and native using buffalograss as a natural looking grass area with shrubs and perennials that add color and texture to the landscape. These plants are low to very low water use and require maintenance only one or two times of year, making this yard low water and low maintenance. Since buffalograss grows less than 6 inches tall, this front yard could even go without mowing.