Pine Bluegrass (Poa scabrella)

Pine Bluegrass (Poa scabrella)
Wikimedia Commons — Anthony Valois and the National Park Service — Public domain

At a glance

Lifecycle
Perennial (hardy)
Exposure
Full sun

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in the spring in a cold frame. Do not allow the compost to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in the spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Edible uses

Seed. No more details are given, but the seed is very small and fiddly to utilize[K].

Habitat

Sagebrush desert to montane forest and ridges.

Native range

Western N. America - Yuhon and British Columbia southwards to California.

Same genus