Bouteloua curtipendula
Sideoats Grama
Description
This plant is a warm season bunch grass. It is extremely cold hardy. It needs full sun. During late spring and summer, flower spikes appear, often pink or purple. After flowering, seeds appear on one side of spike. This plant grows 18"-24" tall and 12"- 15" wide. Leaves are blue green but turn tan when dry. Mow in early spring for clean regrowth. Birds and wildlife relish seeds. and provide larval food plant for many skipper butterflies. Cut back plant in fall.
Plant Type
Perennial, Grass
Height Range
1-3'
Flower Color
Purple
Flower Season
Spring, Summer
Leaf Color
Green
Bark Color
n/a
Fruit Color
n/a
Fruit Season
n/a
Sun
Full
Water
Low
Growth Rate
Fast, Moderate
Soil Type
Sandy, Loam, Rocky
Soil Condition
Average, Poor, Well-drained
Soil pH
Neutral, Basic
Adverse Factors
n/a
Design Styles
Meadow, Ranch, Spanish, Wild Garden
Accenting Features
Showy Flowers
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer
Location Uses
Perennial Border, Foundation, Lawn, With Rocks
Special Uses
Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Lawn Substitute, Naturalizing, Small Spaces
Attracts Wildlife
n/a
Water Saving Tip:
Consider replacing some lawn areas with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs.
Good candidates for removal are portions of large lawns, areas where no one uses the grass, patches that don't grow well, or spaces too small to water without overspray.