Squirreltail: A Hardy Native Grass That Brings Wild Beauty to Your Garden
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance native grass that can handle tough conditions while adding natural charm to your landscape, squirreltail (Elymus elymoides brevifolius) might just be your new best friend. This scrappy little perennial grass has been quietly thriving across the American West for centuries, and it’s ready to bring that same resilience to your garden.
What Makes Squirreltail Special?
Squirreltail gets its whimsical name from its distinctive seed heads, which feature long, bristly awns that create a bottle-brush appearance reminiscent of a certain bushy-tailed rodent. This native grass is part of the broader squirreltail species complex and goes by several scientific names in botanical circles, including historical classifications like Sitanion hystrix and Elymus longifolius.
As a true American native, squirreltail has earned its stripes across an impressive range of states. You’ll find this adaptable grass naturally occurring in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. That’s quite a geographic resume!
Why Your Garden Will Love Squirreltail
This perennial grass brings several compelling benefits to the home landscape:
- Drought champion: Once established, squirreltail laughs in the face of dry conditions
- Low maintenance: Perfect for gardeners who prefer plants that don’t need constant attention
- Wildlife friendly: Provides habitat structure and seeds for birds
- Erosion fighter: Excellent for slopes and areas prone to soil erosion
- Visual interest: Those distinctive seed heads add texture and movement to plantings
Where Squirreltail Fits in Your Landscape
Squirreltail shines brightest in naturalistic settings where its wild character can truly express itself. Consider incorporating it into:
- Native plant gardens
- Prairie and grassland restorations
- Xeriscaping and drought-tolerant landscapes
- Slopes needing erosion control
- Wildlife habitat gardens
- Low-water commercial landscapes
While it may not be the star of a formal English border, squirreltail provides the perfect supporting role in natural designs where you want that authentic, windswept grassland feel.
Growing Squirreltail Successfully
The beauty of squirreltail lies in its simplicity. This grass has spent millennia perfecting the art of thriving in challenging conditions, which translates to easy care for the home gardener.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Sunlight: Full sun is best, though it can tolerate some light shade
- Soil: Well-draining soils of almost any type, from sandy to clay
- Water: Drought tolerant once established; minimal supplemental watering needed
- Climate: Adaptable across USDA hardiness zones 4-9
Planting and Care Tips
Getting squirreltail established is refreshingly straightforward. Plant in spring or fall when temperatures are moderate, and give new plantings regular water until they develop their extensive root systems. After that first year, you can largely let nature take the wheel.
This grass typically reaches 1-3 feet in height with a similar spread, creating loose, airy clumps that move beautifully in the breeze. The seed heads appear in late spring to early summer, providing visual interest that lasts well into fall.
A Note for Wildlife Enthusiasts
While squirreltail is wind-pollinated rather than insect-pollinated, it still contributes significantly to wildlife habitat. Birds appreciate both the seeds and the protective cover the grass provides, while small mammals use it for nesting material and shelter.
The Bottom Line
Squirreltail proves that native doesn’t have to mean boring. This resilient grass brings authentic regional character to landscapes while requiring minimal inputs once established. If you’re gardening in its native range and want to create sustainable, water-wise plantings with genuine local flavor, squirreltail deserves serious consideration. It’s one of those plants that works hard behind the scenes, holding soil, supporting wildlife, and adding that perfect touch of wild authenticity to naturalistic gardens.
