Species Sideoats Grama

Sideoats Grama

Bouteloua curtipendula var. curtipendula

Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula var. curtipendula) is a perennial grass native to North America. It has narrow leaves and a sprawling form. This grass flourishes in grasslands, prairies, and dry, rocky areas. Its nutrient-rich seed heads bear tens to hundreds of seeds and are often used as bird food. Its flowers are compound, silk-like, and fragrant and vary in color from pink to purple. Its tough yet flexible leaves are valuable to livestock for forage and erosion control. Sideoats Grama is drought-tolerant, but also does best in moderate climates and soil conditions, making it an adaptable grass to have in your garden.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Root Cutting,Stem Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Low

watering

Sideoats Grama should typically be watered during the summer season when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry. During the hot summer season, Sideoats Grama should be watered 2 to 3 times per week. It is important to water the plants deeply to ensure the roots receive the moisture. Each plant should receive about 1-2 inches of water each time. During the fall and winter, Sideoats Grama should only be watered when the soil becomes dry, which can be once or twice a month depending on the amount of rainfall.

sunlight

Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula var. curtipendula) is a plant species that prefers full sun, meaning it does best when it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. As a warm-season grass, its foliage develops in late spring or early summer and will stay green until fall when temperatures drop again. During the hottest days of summer, it tolerates a little afternoon shade to prevent scorching of its leaves. Avoid shady spots that are too dense, as they don't provide enough middle-ground sunlight for optimal growth.

pruning

Sideoats Grama is best pruned in the late spring or early summer. Pruning should be done to maintain a desired height and to remove any dead or injured stems. Generally, no more than 1/4 of the grass should be removed at 1 pruning. For a more formal look, up to 1/3 of the grass can be removed. Take care to avoid pruning in the late summer and early fall to prevent dormancy during the cold winter. Prune the grass slightly above the ground with hedge clippers or shears.