Illinois Native Plant Guide

Blue Joint Grass
Calamagrostis canadensis

Preferred Water Depth and Inundation Tolerance

Prefers saturated soil. Tolerates temporary spring flooding up to a depth of 6 inches early in the season. Species does not tolerate permanent flooding.

Wildlife Value

Waterfowl eat seeds. Young plants are grazed by deer and muskrats.

Application/Zone

Used in upper shoreline zones and in vegetated swales.

Availability, Establishment, and Maintenance

• Locally, plugs have been most successful. These should be planted on 0.5-1.5 foot centers because of their slow spread by rhizomes.
• Soil should be moist to saturated, but not inundated during planting.
• Established stands may be mowed in alternate years for maintenance.
• C. canadensis rarely produces seed and even when it does, the seed is rarely viable.
• Can spread agressively by rhizome under optimal conditions.

Blue Joint Grass
Calamagrostis canadensis

Mature Height
2-5 feet

Plant Type
Perennial grass

Indicator Status
Obligate

pH
5-8

Nutrient Load Tolerance
Low

Salt Tolerance
Low

Siltation Tolerance
Moderate

Flowering Color and Time
Brown
May to August

Light Preference
Full sun

Seeding Rate
.03 - .06 lbs/acre

The following document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader: 
npg_p48-49.pdf [PDF]

<Back to Plant Guide Index
<Back to Plant Guide Table of Contents