Prairie Junegrass (Koeleria macrantha) - Also known as June Grass. This native, widely-distributed cool-season, perennial prairie grass will flower earlier than many other upland prairie grasses. Its plumes of silvery-green seed heads turn tan by mid-summer. The foliage supporting these seeds is also an attractive green-gray color. June Grass actively grows during the spring and fall when soil temperatures are cool and likes full sun and dry, medium to moderately fine soil textures that are well-drained. Often used for green roofs.

It usually grows between 6 and 24 inches tall. This is one of the first grasses to green-up in the early spring. It is used for reclamation, range improvement, and as an ornamental.  Mostly found in elevations from 4,000 – 12,000 feet.  Drought-tolerant; deer resistant; landscape uses include rangeland revegetation, grazing, meadowscapes, pollinator gardens and rock gardens.  It grows well under Black Walnut trees; tolerates air pollution making it a good fit for the urban environment which is why it is used for green roofs.

Due to its early spring greenup, it provides good early spring forage and fair late spring forage for livestock. It is considered a fair to good forage for elk throughout the year and is desirable forage for deer and antelope in the spring and early summer. Prairie junegrass is used as a component of native seed mixtures in revegetation of mined lands, heavy use areas and other surface disturbed lands. Prairie junegrass is cold, heat and drought tolerant and grows on rangeland meadows, plains, mountain foothills and open forestlands.

• Sun Requirements: Best in full sun, but tolerates partial shade or light shade.
• Habitat: Commonly found in dry prairies, open forestlands, and rocky slopes, indicating adaptability to dappled light. Also used for green roofs.
• Soil/Moisture: Thrives in dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soils, including rocky or sandy soils.  Short-lived on wet, poor draining soils.
• Performance: It is considered good forage in early spring, but as it matures in later spring, it becomes tough and less palatable. This grass has moderate to high tolerance to grazing. Prairie junegrass tends to increase in percent cover following fire events and is very resistant to fire.
• Usage: Often used in landscaping for its fine texture, high drought resistance, and ability to handle, to a small extent, some shade and foot traffic. Also used for ecological restoration, soil stabilization on disturbed sites, and sustainable landscaping.
• Seeding Rate: 0.5 to 1 lb PLS (Pure Live Seed) per acre for restoration, to 1 - 2 lbs per 1,000 square feet for, intensive planting or landscaping. For larger areas, 6 - 8 lbs per acre is used for drilling, while 12 - 16 lbs is recommended for broadcasting. Plat very shallow: 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep