Bouteloua curtipendula

Common Names

Sideoats Grama, Side-Oats Grama, Side Oats Grama

Summary

Native North American perennial warm-season grass forming tufted clumps from short rhizomes; culms 30–100 cm tall with bluish-green leaves; inflorescence elongated and linear with 30–70 spikes, spikes 8–15 mm long; spikelets with 1 perfect floret and 1–2 reduced florets; flowers July–September; distinctive side-hanging spikelets along the raceme; habitat includes glades, upland prairies, savannas, and rocky forest openings on calcareous soils.

Thrives in full sun to light shade and in well-drained soils ranging from sandy to heavy clay; highly drought-tolerant and adaptable to alkaline conditions; propagation by seed and division; used for forage and ornamental plantings, erosion control, meadow or prairie restoration, and other native landscape applications; hardiness zones 4–9.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-3 feet

Spread

18-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Dry to moderately moist, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.5-8.5, Tolerates alkaline soils

Bloom Color

Purple and orange

Bloom Time

Summer to Fall

Foliage Color

Blue-green

Fall Foliage Color

Golden brown in fall, sometimes with orange or red tints.

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Cuttings, Rhizomatous vegetative propagation

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds are attracted