Bouteloua curtipendula

Side Oats Grama / Sideoats Grama Grass

This native grass has graceful blue green foliage and 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.

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips

Grow Sideoats Grama in full sun and dry to average soils that drain well. 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.

Height 24-30 Inches

Spread 24-30 Inches

Native Range Sideoats grama is found on rocky open slopes, woodlands, and forest openings throughout most of North America. Distribution Map

Native Trivia Sideoats Grama Grass was bundled, dried, made into brooms by the Tewa Indians and used to sweep floors, hearths and metates.

USDA Hardiness Zone 4-9

"Sideoats provides cover for small critters and its seeds feed song birds and wild turkeys."

Characteristics & Attributes

Plan Sub Group • Low Grasses	Exposure • Sun	Soil • Saline or alkaline • Heavy clay • Well-drained • Humus-rich • Acidic • Wide soil tolerance	Soil Moisture Preference • Average • Moist but well-drained • Dry • Moist
Attracts Wildlife • Songbirds	Bloom Time • Late Summer	Habitat Collection • Songbird	Native Habitat • Coastal • Grassland
Foliage Color • Blue-green	Uses • Border • Naturalizes • Mass plant • Erosion control • Container • Wind tolerant • Meadow • Ground cover • Drought tolerant