Short Bluegrass: A Hardy Native Grass for Cold Climate Gardens
If you’re searching for a truly cold-hardy native grass that can handle the toughest conditions, short bluegrass (Poa abbreviata) might just be the unsung hero your specialized garden needs. This diminutive perennial grass may not win any beauty contests, but it’s got character and resilience that would make a mountain climber jealous.
What Is Short Bluegrass?
Short bluegrass is exactly what its name suggests – a compact member of the bluegrass family that stays refreshingly low to the ground. As a perennial graminoid (that’s botanist-speak for grass-like plant), it forms small tufts of narrow leaves topped with delicate seed heads that dance in the breeze.
This native grass has quite the impressive resume when it comes to geography. It’s naturally found across Alaska, western and northern Canada (including Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut), Greenland, and several western U.S. states including California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. Talk about a well-traveled plant!
Should You Grow Short Bluegrass?
Here’s where we need to have an honest conversation. Short bluegrass isn’t your typical lawn substitute or showy ornamental grass. It’s a specialist that thrives in conditions that would make other plants wave the white flag of surrender.
The Good News:
- Extremely cold hardy (USDA zones 2-7)
- Native to North America, supporting local ecosystems
- Requires minimal maintenance once established
- Excellent for alpine and rock gardens
- Handles poor soils that challenge other plants
The Reality Check:
- Limited ornamental appeal compared to flashier grasses
- Not suitable for warm climate gardens
- Difficult to find at typical garden centers
- Very specific growing requirements
- May struggle in hot, humid summers
Where Does Short Bluegrass Shine?
This grass is the perfect candidate for specialized garden situations. Think alpine gardens, rock gardens, native plant collections, or restoration projects in mountainous or northern regions. It’s also fantastic for areas where you want authentic local flora rather than generic landscaping.
From a wetland perspective, short bluegrass is quite adaptable. In most regions, it’s classified as facultative upland, meaning it usually prefers drier sites but can tolerate some moisture. In the Great Plains, it’s even more flexible, growing happily in both wet and dry conditions.
Growing Short Bluegrass Successfully
If you’re determined to give short bluegrass a try (and live in the right climate), here’s how to set yourself up for success:
Ideal Growing Conditions:
- Cool temperatures with cold winters
- Well-draining soil (it doesn’t like wet feet)
- Full sun to partial shade
- Areas with short growing seasons
- Elevation and northern exposures work well
Planting Tips:
- Start from seed in fall or very early spring
- Scatter seeds over prepared soil surface
- Lightly rake to ensure good soil contact
- Keep soil consistently moist during germination
- Be patient – establishment can take time
Care and Maintenance:
- Once established, this grass is quite self-sufficient
- Avoid overwatering, especially in summer
- No fertilization needed – it actually prefers lean soils
- Allow natural dormancy in winter
- Minimal to no mowing required due to its short stature
The Bottom Line
Short bluegrass is definitely not for every gardener or every garden. But if you’re working with challenging cold climate conditions, creating an authentic native plant landscape, or building a specialized alpine garden, this tough little grass could be exactly what you need.
While it won’t provide significant benefits for pollinators (being wind-pollinated), it does contribute to the overall ecosystem and can serve as habitat for small wildlife. Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about growing a plant that’s perfectly adapted to your local environment, even if that environment happens to be on the chilly side.
Just remember: this is a plant for gardeners who appreciate subtlety over showiness and function over form. If that sounds like you, short bluegrass might just become your new favorite cold-climate companion.
