ornamental grass

Sideoats Grama

Bouteloua curtipendula

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Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) at Superior Garden Center

Sideoats Grama

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Plant Height:  18 inches

Flower Height:  3 feet

Spread:  24 inches

Sunlight:  full sun 

Hardiness Zone:  4a

Description:

This native variety is noted for its distinctive arrangement of oat-like that hang from only one side of the flowering stem; purplish inflorescences mature to tan as the seeds mature; blue-green foliage turns reddish-purple in fall; use as a border accent

Ornamental Features

Sideoats Grama features airy spikes of purple flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer. Its attractive grassy leaves are bluish-green in color. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous plum purple in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Sideoats Grama is an herbaceous perennial grass with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Sideoats Grama is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Groundcover
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Sideoats Grama will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity extending to 3 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 24 inches. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is native to parts of North America.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Garden  Groundcover  Naturalizing 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color  Fall Color  Texture  Plant Form  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features

This Plant Finder tool is an online resource representing many of the varieties that we carry over the course of the season, and is intended for informational purposes only. Inventory varies seasonally, so we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times - please contact the store directly for current availability. It does not include our entire selection of plants, so be sure to visit our store to see varieties that may not be represented on this list.