Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) is a charming warm-season grass with distinctive oat-like seeds that dangle along one side of the stalk. The small bright purple and orange flowers are especially attractive when the grass blooms in late summer. Compact and low-growing, this prairie grass forms a good sized clump around 2.5’ high with attractive bluish foliage. The fall color is shades of gold. Sideoats’ height and shape are a great fit with other prairie perennials in both smaller gardens and meadow landscapes. This remarkably tough grass is drought tolerant and not very aggressive. Full sun is required but just about any type of soil will do, including dry sand, gravel, and even in medium clay.
Sideoats Grama is a larval host plant for several Skipper butterflies and moths, including the Dotted Skipper, Leonard’s Skipper, and the Ottoe Skipper.