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California Native Plant

Bouteloua curtipendula

Sideoats Grama

Plant photo of: Bouteloua curtipendula
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Information by: George Hull MSN        Photographer: Mountain States Nursery

 

Description

This plant is a warm season bunch grass. It is extremely cold hardy. It needs full sun. During late spring and summer, flower spikes appear, often pink or purple. After flowering, seeds appear on one side of spike. This plant grows 18"-24" tall and 12"- 15" wide. Leaves are blue green but turn tan when dry. Mow in early spring for clean regrowth. Birds and wildlife relish seeds. and provide larval food plant for many skipper butterflies. Cut back plant 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.