Shortcoal Bluegrass: A Rare Northern Native Worth Knowing About
If you’re a gardener fascinated by the more obscure corners of the plant world, you might have stumbled across shortcoal bluegrass (Poa pseudoabbreviata). This little-known perennial grass is one of nature’s hardy survivors, quietly thriving in some of the most challenging climates on Earth. But before you start dreaming of adding this arctic gem to your garden, let’s dive into what makes this grass special—and why it might not be the easiest addition to your typical landscape.
What Exactly Is Shortcoal Bluegrass?
Shortcoal bluegrass is a perennial grass that belongs to the large and diverse Poa genus. You might also see it listed under its synonym, Poa brachyanthera Hultén, in older botanical references. As a member of the grass family, it shares characteristics with its more familiar cousins but has adapted to survive in conditions that would challenge most garden plants.
This grass is a true native of the far north, naturally occurring in Alaska and Canada. Its geographic range includes some pretty remote places: Alaska, British Columbia, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. We’re talking about regions where winter temperatures can drop to bone-chilling levels and the growing season is refreshingly brief.
Should You Consider Growing Shortcoal Bluegrass?
Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit challenging). While shortcoal bluegrass is undoubtedly a fascinating native plant, it’s not exactly what you’d call garden-center material. This grass has evolved specifically for harsh northern climates, and convincing it to thrive in a typical temperate garden might be like asking a polar bear to vacation in Florida—theoretically possible, but not particularly comfortable for anyone involved.
Growing Conditions and Habitat
In its natural habitat, shortcoal bluegrass deals with:
- Extremely cold winters with extended periods below freezing
- Short, cool growing seasons
- Variable moisture conditions (it’s classified as facultative for wetlands, meaning it can handle both wet and drier soils)
- Rocky, often poor soils typical of northern regions
- Intense seasonal light variations
The wetland status tells us this grass is pretty flexible when it comes to moisture—it won’t throw a fit if its feet get wet occasionally, but it doesn’t demand boggy conditions either.
The Reality Check for Most Gardeners
Unless you’re gardening in Alaska, northern Canada, or similar arctic conditions, shortcoal bluegrass is probably going to be more of a botanical curiosity than a practical garden choice. The specific climate requirements that make this grass successful in its native range also make it challenging to cultivate elsewhere.
Unfortunately, detailed information about cultivation requirements, propagation methods, and specific care instructions for this species is quite limited—which itself tells us something about how rarely it’s grown outside its natural habitat.
Better Native Alternatives
If you’re drawn to the idea of native grasses in your landscape (and you should be—they’re fantastic!), consider these more garden-friendly options that might be native to your specific region:
- Buffalo grass for prairie regions
- Little bluestem for a wide range of temperate areas
- Sideoats grama for drier climates
- Other Poa species that are native to your local area
The Conservation Angle
While we don’t have specific information about shortcoal bluegrass being rare or threatened, its limited range and specialized habitat make it worth respecting in the wild. If you do encounter this grass during northern adventures, take a moment to appreciate its quiet resilience—it’s doing something pretty remarkable by thriving where few plants can.
The Bottom Line
Shortcoal bluegrass earns respect as a tough northern native, but it’s not destined for most home gardens. Its value lies more in its ecological role in harsh northern ecosystems than in its ornamental potential. For most gardeners, the best way to appreciate this species is to learn about it, respect its natural habitat, and choose more suitable native alternatives for their own landscapes.
Sometimes the most interesting plants are the ones that remind us of the incredible diversity and specialization found in nature—even if they’re not quite right for our backyard gardens.
