Types Of Native Wyoming Grasses And Groundcovers

Wyoming spans high plains, sagebrush steppe, mountain foothills, and wet riparian corridors. Native grasses and low-growing groundcovers form the ecological backbone of these systems, stabilizing soil, supporting wildlife, filtering water, and providing forage. This article catalogs the principal native grasses and groundcovers you will encounter or should consider for restoration and landscaping in Wyoming, explains their ecological roles, and gives practical guidance for establishment and management.

Wyoming ecosystems and plant selection principles

Wyoming’s climate is continental: cold winters, warm summers, low to moderate precipitation, and large regional differences in elevation and soil type. When selecting native grasses and groundcovers consider:

• elevation and average annual precipitation;
• soil texture (sands, loams, clay) and drainage;
• exposure, wind and salt or alkaline conditions;
• desired function (erosion control, forage, wildlife habitat, aesthetic groundcover).

Plants adapted to Colorado Plateau or Intermountain West conditions often perform best: drought-tolerant, cold-hardy, with deep or fibrous root systems for soil stabilization.

Functional groups: bunchgrasses, sod-formers, and low perennials

Grasses are commonly classified by growth form because management and landscape function differ.

Bunchgrasses (clump-forming)

Bunchgrasses grow in discrete tufts. They resist soil erosion through deep roots, tolerate drought, and respond well to fire and grazing when managed with rest periods. Examples: bluebunch wheatgrass, needle-and-thread, Indian ricegrass, basin wildrye.

Sod-forming grasses (rhizomatous or stoloniferous)

These create a continuous vegetative mat and are valuable where rapid surface stabilization and weed suppression are priorities. Examples: western wheatgrass, buffalograss, some populations of Sandberg bluegrass in ideal microsites.

Low-growing perennials and groundcovers

These species cover bare soil, reduce evaporation, and supply nectar and pollen to pollinators. Examples: tufted phlox, pussytoes, sedum, wild strawberry, cinquefoil.

Key native grasses: species accounts and uses

Below are commonly recommended native grasses for Wyoming with growth characteristics, best uses, and practical notes.

Bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata)

• Growth: deep-rooted bunchgrass, 1.5 to 3 feet tall.
• Soils: well-drained loams, slopes, sandy soils.
• Uses: long-lived forage, erosion control on slopes, restoration of sagebrush steppe.
• Notes: Establishes slowly but is very resilient once established. Seed shallow and consider dormant fall seeding to improve establishment.

Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii)

• Growth: sod-forming, 1 to 2 feet tall.
• Soils: tolerates heavier and seasonally moist soils, alkaline sites.
• Uses: erosion control, reclamation, pastures, sod replacement for low-input turf.
• Notes: Self-repairs and spreads to fill bare patches; good in mixed-seedings to provide quick cover.

Needle-and-thread (Hesperostipa comata)

• Growth: fine-leaved bunchgrass, 1 to 3 feet tall, distinct long awns.
• Soils: sandy to loamy, dry plains and slopes.
• Uses: drought-prone areas, wildlife habitat, low-maintenance landscapes.
• Notes: Many animals consume seed and foliage; seeding can be variable because of seed size and dormancy.

Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides)

• Growth: fine, bunch-forming, typically 6 to 18 inches tall.
• Soils: dry, sandy soils and rocky slopes.
• Uses: excellent for very dry sites, wildlife food (seeds), ornamental xeriscapes.
• Notes: Small seeds require very shallow placement; benefits from fall dormant seeding.

Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda)

• Growth: low, early green-up, 4 to 12 inches tall; spreads by short rhizomes in some microsites.
• Soils: shallow, rocky soils and foothills.
• Uses: early spring forage, reseed in difficult microsites, groundcover in low-water landscapes.
• Notes: Valuable for early season green-up and erosion control on thin soils.

Prairie junegrass / Koeleria (Koeleria macrantha)

• Growth: fine-textured bunchgrass, low-growing (6 to 18 inches).
• Soils: dry, well-drained soils; tolerates gravel and shallow soils.
• Uses: rock gardens, low-water planting, under sparse shrub canopies.
• Notes: Slow-growing but attractive in native lawns and meadows.

Basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus)

• Growth: tall bunchgrass to 4 feet, coarse leaves.
• Soils: moist to seasonally wet sites, streambanks, meadows.
• Uses: riparian stabilization, forage, shelterbelts.
• Notes: Establishes best where soil moisture is available during early growth.

Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

• Growth: warm-season bunchgrass, 1 to 3 feet tall, attractive fall color.
• Soils: well-drained prairies and slopes.
• Uses: prairie restorations, pollinator habitat plantings, ornamental masses.
• Notes: Less common in high-elevation Wyoming but valuable in eastern plains restorations.

Native groundcovers and low-growing perennials

These species are useful for erosion control, rock gardens, and pollinator support.

Tufted phlox (Phlox hoodii)

• Growth: mat-forming cushion, fragrant early flowers.
• Uses: alpine and foothill rock gardens, drought-tolerant groundcover.
• Notes: Prefers thin, well-drained soils; establishes slowly.

Pussytoes (Antennaria spp.)

• Growth: silver-gray mat-forming plants 2 to 6 inches tall.
• Uses: erosion control on slopes, xeric groundcover, wildlife cover.
• Notes: Very drought-tolerant and often used on dry, sandy sites.

Stonecrop (Sedum lanceolatum and related species)

• Growth: succulent mats ideal for shallow soils and rock faces.
• Uses: green roofs, rock walls, drought landscapes.
• Notes: Excellent for heat and drought; little maintenance after establishment.

Wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)

• Growth: low spreading by stolons.
• Uses: attractive groundcover under trees and shrubs, wildlife food.
• Notes: Tolerates partial shade and moderate foot traffic.

Potentilla (cinquefoils) and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

• Growth: low perennial mats with long bloom periods.
• Uses: pollinator plantings, low borders, xeric gardens.
• Notes: Both species tolerate poor soils and dry conditions once established.

Establishment: seeding, planting, and early care

Successful establishment depends on timing, seedbed preparation, and post-planting care.

• Site preparation: remove competitive annual weeds; for small projects, hand-pull or shallow till. For larger sites, consider herbicide treatment followed by a clean seedbed. Minimize soil disturbance to preserve biological soil crusts in sagebrush steppe when possible.
• Seeding timing: fall dormant seeding (after soil temperatures drop) or early spring seeding before germination temperatures rise are both effective. Fall seeding often gives seedlings a moisture pulse in spring with less weed competition.
• Seeding depth: small-seeded species (Sandberg bluegrass, Indian ricegrass, Sandberg) should be placed very shallowly (1/8″ to 1/4″). Larger-seeded grasses (bluebunch, basin wildrye) can tolerate 1/4″ to 1/2″. Avoid burying small seeds too deep.
• Seeding rates: restoration mixes are typically expressed in pure live seed (PLS) pounds per acre. For small landscape plots, consult seed labels and convert rates; as a rule, use higher rates where erosion or weeds are severe. When in doubt, increase diversity rather than drastically increasing any single species.
• Mulching and soil contact: light straw mulch or hydromulch can protect seed from erosion and desiccation but avoid thick mulch layers that block light. Firm seed-to-soil contact improves germination.
• Watering and irrigation: irrigate sparingly to encourage deep rooting; avoid frequent shallow watering. For ornamental plantings, supplement for the first one to two growing seasons as needed.
• Post-establishment grazing and mowing: defer grazing until stands are well anchored (often 2-3 years). For mowed areas, cut only after seed set or leave uncut patches for wildlife and seedbank maintenance.

Invasives, fire, and management considerations

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis, non-native cultivar forms) are major challenges in Wyoming.

• Cheatgrass: outcompetes native seedlings and increases fire frequency. Minimize disturbance, seed during times that favor natives (dormant fall seeding), and use competitive mixes dominated by native sod-formers on prone sites.
• Kentucky bluegrass: aggressive in mesic sites and can form monocultures; choose native sod formers like western wheatgrass for reclamation instead.
• Prescribed fire: many native bunchgrasses survive and resprout after fire; however, repeated burning without follow-up revegetation can favor cheatgrass. Use fire strategically and combine with active reseeding where needed.

Practical planting plans: mixes and recommendations

Below are three practical mixes tailored to common Wyoming site types. Adjust rates by area and consult seed PLS percentages.

• Dry slope / xeric mix (steep, well-drained):
• Indian ricegrass (40%), Needle-and-thread (30%), Sandberg bluegrass (20%), Tufted phlox or Sedum (10%).
• Best practices: fall dormant seed, light straw mulch, defer grazing.
• Sagebrush steppe restoration mix (mid-elevation):
• Bluebunch wheatgrass (30%), Western wheatgrass (20%), Sandberg bluegrass (15%), Prairie junegrass (10%), Antennaria / Potentilla groundcover (25% combined).
• Best practices: minimize soil disturbance, seed multiple species to increase resilience.
• Riparian buffer and wet meadow mix:
• Basin wildrye (35%), Western wheatgrass (30%), Tall sedges (Carex spp., 20%), Meadow wildflowers (Achillea, Fragaria, 15%).
• Best practices: plant in spring if soils are saturated, protect from mowing and grazing during establishment.

Troubleshooting and long-term stewardship

• Poor establishment: check seed viability and seeding depth; consider reseeding and weed control. Soil compaction and excess thatch can impede seedling emergence.
• Weed pressure: remove annual weed flushes mechanically or with spot treatment. Healthy native stands and increased species diversity are the best long-term defense.
• Erosion after seeding: use wattles or mulching to slow runoff; consider adding fast-establishing natives like western wheatgrass for immediate cover.
• Monitoring: inspect stands annually for diversity, weed encroachment, and bare spots. Adaptive management–adjusting grazing, seeding, and invasive control–maintains function.

Conclusion: practical takeaways

Native Wyoming grasses and groundcovers offer durable, low-input solutions when matched to site conditions. Choose species by moisture regime and soil type: bunchgrasses for droughty uplands, sod-formers for surface stabilization, and cushion or mat-forming perennials for thin soils and rock gardens. Establishment favors dormant fall or early spring seeding, shallow seed placement, and early protection from grazing and invasive annuals. By using diverse native mixes and following appropriate seeding and management practices, landowners and restoration practitioners can build resilient plant communities that stabilize soil, support wildlife, and reduce long-term maintenance.