California oatgrass is a perennial bunchgrass native to coastal regions of North and South America from Orange County and San Diego County in southern California to the San Bernardino Mountains. It grows 1-3 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide, forming dense, rounded tufts with fuzzy, dull-green leaves. It blooms from March to April with small, zig-zag patterned flowers and seeds. California oatgrass tolerates a wide range of conditions, making it a good choice for meadows, rock gardens, slopes, and rain gardens.

1. * California Oatgrass – Danthonia californica
(dan-THOWN-ee-uh kal-ih-FOR-nik-uh)
Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
Western coast of North and South America, coastal Orange & San Diego county
mountains, San Bernardino Mountains; grows in diverse climates from cool coastal hillsides to inland
mountains, usually in moist, open sites, coastal prairies, meadows, forests.
Native to:
perennial bunchgrass
mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 2-3 ft.
Cool-season perennial bunchgrass with fuzzy, dull-green leaves.
Forms dense, rounded
tuft/bunches. Looks green year-round with modest summer water. In nature usually grows with
other grasses, wildflowers. Medium texture.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms Mar-Apr. Flowers are small, on bending stems above the foliage. Flowers/
seeds are unique and showy – form a zig-zag pattern.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Probably best used in a mixed prairie or wildflower meadow. Tolerates foot
traffic. Good for slope stabilization, alone or with other grasses. Nice choice for rock gardens,
growing between pavers. Fine for a small native lawn area. Good plant for medium-wet areas of
rain gardens and vegetated swales.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native ornamental grasses, sedges.
Attracts: Provides birds with nesting material and seeds. Larval food for Skipper butterflies.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to light shade.
Any well-drained soil; not for very alkali soils (pH > 8.0)
Tolerant of wide range of summer water: Zone 1-2 to 2-3. Seasonal flooding OK.
None needed
Management:
Plants grow very slowly their first year. Be sure area is well-weeded.
Propagation: from seed: slow to germinate
by divisions:
easy in fall/winter
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 5, 8, 10, 11
2/13/11
* Native to CA but not to Western L.A. Co.
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