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Bouteloua curtipendula
Side Oats Gramma
- » Extremely drought tolerant
- » Tolerates poor and alkaline soils
- » Tolerates light shade
- » Attracts birds with food and great cover
- » Deer resistant
- » Attracts butterflies
- » Great low-water-use plant
- Category:Ornamental Grass
- Breeder:American Beauties Native Plants
- Hardiness Zone:4-9
- Height:18-30 in
- Spread:18-24 in
- Bloom Color: Brown Shades
- Foliage Color: Blue Shades
This native grass has graceful, blue-green foliage. Attractive tiny flowers in bright purple and orange appear on tall spikes in late summer. Its name, Sideoats Grama, comes from the way the oat-like seeds all lean to one side of the stem, despite emerging on two sides. Bouteloua makes a wonderful drought tolerant groundcover for a sunny dry location. It combines well with other sun-loving natives like Butterfly Weed, Echinacea and Black-eyed Susans. This grass grows well in many kinds of soil, including those containing clay-loam, gravel, rocky material, and sand. It is very drought tolerant and works well on gentle or moderate slopes.
Maintenance and Care
| • | Drought Tolerant |
Attracts Wildlife
| • | Attracts Songbirds |
Critter Resistance
| • | Deer Resistant |
Flower Color
| • | Purple |
Exposure
| • | Full Sun |
Growing & Maintenance Tips for Bouteloua curtipendula
Grows well in full sun to partial shade, tolerates a wide range of soils from dry to moist, as long as it is well-drained. It will seed in and spread to open spots, but won't out compete stronger perennials and grasses. Seed stems can be removed to prevent spreading.