Bouteloua curtipendula

Bouteloua curtipendula: Sideoats Grama

Charming in form and deeply rooted in prairie heritage, Bouteloua curtipendula, or Sideoats Grama, brings texture, movement, and subtle elegance to dry, sunny gardens. Its upright, blue-green blades support graceful rows of oat-like seed spikes that dangle from one side of each stem—turning from soft purple to buff tan as the season progresses. This warm-season native grass adds a refined, vertical presence and is a top performer in drought-tolerant and wildlife-friendly plantings.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 45–90 cm
• Spread: 30–60 cm
• Flower Colour: Reddish-purple spikelets aging to tan
• Flowering Period: Midsummer to early fall
• Foliage: Blue-green turning golden-tan in fall
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Dry to average, well-drained soil; tolerant of poor, rocky, or calcareous soils

Uses and Benefits: Ideal for xeriscapes, prairie restorations, and low-maintenance borders, Sideoats Grama is a tough yet graceful grass that thrives in lean soils and dry conditions. It supports a wide range of pollinators and seed-eating birds, and its fine texture adds contrast to broader-leaved perennials. Perfect for erosion control on slopes or as a soft edging grass in wildflower meadows, it provides visual interest well into winter.

Companion Plants: Create a sunny, pollinator-rich planting by pairing Bouteloua curtipendula with the fiery blooms of Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun', the cheerful gold of Coreopsis 'Baby Sun', and the vivid orange umbels of Asclepias tuberosa. This combination is tough, drought tolerant, and alive with colour and movement from summer into fall.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it requires little watering and no fertilizer. Cut back in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh growth. Division can be done in spring if clumps become too dense. Avoid overly rich soils, which can lead to floppy growth.

History: Native to much of North America, Bouteloua curtipendula was a dominant grass of the mixed-grass prairie and a vital forage species for wildlife and livestock. Its distinctive flowering habit and adaptability have made it a favourite in both ecological restorations and ornamental plantings.

Final Thoughts: Quietly sculptural and ruggedly beautiful, Sideoats Grama brings prairie character and understated elegance to waterwise gardens. It’s a small grass with a big role—functional, ornamental, and truly at home in the sun.