Water Wise Plants

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Agrostis pallens

Pronunciation

ag-ROS-tis PAL-ens

Common Name

Native Bentgrass

Plant Type

Grass

Mature Size

2–6 in. mowed; 1–2 ft. unmowed

Water Requirements

Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet

Sun/Shade Requirements

Full to half sun, shade

Wildlife

Flower Color

Green to buff spikelets

Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Agrostis Native Bentgrass Carolyn Williams

Design use: Conventional lawn substitute for playing on when mowed, or meadow if left unmowed. Takes light foot traffic. As a meadow grass, it's good in bioswales, rain gardens, and under trees and shrubs.

Native Bentgrass is a low impact, thin-bladed evergreen grass. It is a cool season grass and can brown up without enough summer water. A California native grass, it is drought tolerant and spreads by both under- and above-ground rhizomes and stolons. If used as a lawn, it needs consistent mowing to 2–3 in., or it can be left unmowed for a meadow-like look. Deer resistant. Fertilize in February–March and in August–September.

Where to See

Palo Alto Water Wise Demonstration Garden

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