Native vs. Introduced Grasses
You’ll notice this “native grass” website also offers information about non-native grasses. While we often use “native grasses” here as a shorthand for water-wise, sustainable grasses, the reality is that truly native grasses aren’t always feasible options for retrofitting existing landscapes.
There are a multitude of reasons for this, such as:
- We haven’t yet identified reliable native grass options for shady landscapes.
- Native grasses are not currently available in sod, only seed.
- Native grasses typically aren’t the best option for continuous recreational use.
- Native grasses need to be planted at certain times of year for best success.
All of these factors considered, the reality is that native grasses simply won’t work for every project. In those instances, introduced grasses can be good solutions. The non-native grasses recommended on this site offer similar water and maintenance savings benefits as native species. The trade-off, of course, is that non-native options will provide less resources for our Colorado birds, wildlife and insects.
Choose a grass that will work for you.
We encourage you to consider installing native grasses in your landscapes. If that doesn’t make sense, think about an introduced grass based on your site’s characteristics, the grass’s drought resilience, and your project’s goals and schedule.