San Francisco Bluegrass: A Mysterious Native Grass Worth Knowing
If you’re a native plant enthusiast always on the lookout for something truly unique, San Francisco bluegrass (Poa unilateralis unilateralis) might just pique your interest. This perennial grass is one of those quiet natives that doesn’t make a lot of noise in gardening circles, but that’s exactly what makes it intriguing.
What Makes This Grass Special?
San Francisco bluegrass is a true native to the United States, specifically calling California and Oregon home. As a member of the grass family (Poaceae), it brings that authentic, natural texture that only native grasses can provide to your landscape. Being a perennial means it’ll stick around year after year, slowly establishing itself as a permanent fixture in your garden.
This grass grows naturally in California and Oregon, making it a perfect choice for gardeners in these regions who want to support local ecosystems and create authentic native landscapes.
The Challenge (And the Appeal) of Growing San Francisco Bluegrass
Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit mysterious. San Francisco bluegrass is one of those native plants that hasn’t made it into mainstream horticulture yet. Information about its specific growing requirements, mature size, and garden performance is quite limited. This could be because:
- It’s naturally rare or has a very specific habitat
- It hasn’t been widely cultivated or studied
- It may require very particular growing conditions
Should You Try Growing It?
If you’re an adventurous gardener who loves native plants and doesn’t mind a bit of uncertainty, San Francisco bluegrass could be a fascinating addition to your collection. However, there are a few important considerations:
The pros: It’s a genuine native species that could provide authentic habitat for local wildlife. Native grasses often have deep root systems that help with soil health and water infiltration. Plus, there’s something special about growing a plant that few other gardeners have in their landscapes.
The challenges: Without detailed growing information, you’ll be experimenting. You might not know its mature size, preferred soil conditions, water needs, or how it performs in garden settings.
Where to Find It and What to Expect
Finding San Francisco bluegrass for your garden might require some detective work. Your best bet is to contact native plant societies, specialized native grass suppliers, or botanical gardens in California and Oregon. They might have seeds or plants available, or can point you toward someone who does.
Since specific growing information is scarce, your approach should be observational. Try it in conditions similar to other native grasses from your region – typically well-draining soil and natural rainfall patterns.
Alternative Native Grasses to Consider
If you’re drawn to the idea of native grasses but want something with more established growing information, consider these well-documented alternatives native to California and Oregon:
- Blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus)
- California fescue (Festuca californica)
- Purple needlegrass (Stipa pulchra)
- Red fescue (Festuca rubra)
The Bottom Line
San Francisco bluegrass represents the exciting frontier of native plant gardening – species that are authentic to our landscapes but haven’t yet been fully explored in cultivation. If you’re up for an adventure and want to contribute to our understanding of native plants, this could be a rewarding project. Just go in with realistic expectations and a spirit of experimentation.
Whether San Francisco bluegrass becomes your next gardening success story or remains an elusive native, the journey of exploring lesser-known native plants is always worthwhile. After all, every well-known native plant started somewhere – maybe this one just needs the right gardener to unlock its secrets.
