Bouteloua curtipendula (Side-Oats Grama)

Bouteloua curtipendula (Side-Oats Grama) is a clump-forming, warm-season, perennial grass noted for its oat-like spikelets which are held mostly to one side of its arching flowering stems. Purplish at first, they bleach to a tan color in the fall. Appearing in early to mid-summer, they are continually produced through most of the summer. They rise above a dense foliage clump of narrow, blue-gray leaves which usually turn golden brown in the fall, and sometimes develop pretty hues of orange and red. Side-Oats Grama provides bird food (they love the ripe seeds), nesting material, and cover, as well as graze for mammals. Tough, drought tolerant, easy-care, Side-Oats Grama is a great choice for wildflower meadows, prairie restorations, and garden accents.

• Grows up to 18-30 in. tall (45-75 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm). Freely self-seeds in optimal growing conditions.
• Performs best in full sun, in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide range of soils as long as they are well-drained. Drought and dry soil tolerant!
• Most effective in mass plantings or groupings in prairies and meadows, native plant gardens, or naturalized areas. Can be used as a ground cover in dry spots or as a garden accent.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Side-Oats Grama attracts birds and butterflies but is deer resistant.
• Cut back old foliage to the ground in late winter.
• Propagate by seed or root division. Easily propagated from seed sown unstratified in fall or stratified in spring. Sow 1/4 deep. Plants may be divided while dormant in spring or fall.
• Native to North and South America, from Ontario to California, and south to Argentina.