Bouteloua curtipendula
Side-Oats Grama
Description
Short prairie grass of North America 2500-7000'. Warm season bunch grass. Extremely cold hardy. Full sun. Late spring & summer flower spikes often pink or purple. 18-24"H x 12-15"W. After flowering, seeds appear on one side of spike. Blue-green leaves turns to dry tan. Mow in early spring for clean regrowth. Very cold hardy into Canada. Birds and wildlife relish seeds. Larval food plant for many skipper butterflies. Cut back 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:
Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.