June Grass
Koeleria macrantha, also known as June Grass, is a decorative, perennial, clumping grass native to Michigan and the UP. Although mostly a lower peninsula species, it has historically grown on the Upper Peninsula Lake Michigan and Lake Superior dune areas. It reaches 2 feet tall, thrives in cool weather, and typically flowers in... you guessed it... June.
June Grass prefers full sun and dry soil, and will grow in loam or sand. In fact, it likes it dry and appreciates dunes and jack pines. Host plant for an unimpressive, but probably important, small, brown moth. Native grasses are also used by some skipper butterflies as host plants and for chrysalis support. Use in stabilized dune areas and other sandy locations, and as an accent and textural feature in sunny gardens. We have added it to our demo garden and we are entranced with the downy flowers!