Position: Full sun
Flowering period: Late summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 1m
Eventual Spread: 1m
Hardiness: 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11, 12
Family: Poaceae
Bothriochloa bladhii, commonly known as Australian Bluestem or Caucasian Bluestem, is a deciduous perennial grass with a clump forming habit. Bothriochloa bladhii is synonymous with Bothriochloa caucasica and is native to Africa, tropical and temperate Asia, and Australia. In its native habitat it grows in open grasslands. Its mid green to light leaves may turn red in autumn. Its flowers appear green to purple in late summer. Bothriochloa bladhii may be used as part of a prairie type planting scheme. This grass may be cut to ground level in March to keep a tidy appearance. Once established this grass is drought tolerant.
Bothriochloa bladhii (08/09/12, Kew Gardens, London)
Bothriochloa bladhii Flower (08/09/12, Kew Gardens, London)
Landscape Architecture