Sandberg Bluegrass

Sandberg bluegrass is probably the most common bluegrass species in the Intermountain West, at least in the drier portions of the region. It is an important forage species for small animals in spring and fall. Plants are relatively small and occur in dry areas in sagebrush and mountain shrub communities, and occasionally in alpine sites.

Sandberg bluegrass is palatable to livestock early in the growing season, becoming less preferred during the summer when cured. Summer growing ecotypes are palatable longer into the season. Deer, pronghorn antelope, and bighorn sheep utilize Sandberg bluegrass forage and birds and small mammals utilize the seed.

Sandberg bluegrass will withstand heavy grazing and trampling, in part, because of its early maturity and apparent dormancy during the summer and fall grazing period. When planted in a native reclamation mix, it will be a minor component of the establishing plant community; therefore management should be based on other key species in the mixture.

It is recommended in mixtures on sites needing an early spring perennial grass to compete against annual weeds. Sandberg bluegrass is known to fill in interspaces between larger bunchgrasses and effectively impedes the spreading of cheatgrass. Seed may be consumed by songbirds, upland game birds, and small mammals and spread through feces. Sandberg bluegrass is not aggressive, and therefore is not considered to be invasive.