Bouteloua curtipendula (side oats grama)
 
Looking for a grass with a little personality? Sideoats Grama is a beloved native that’s a superstar in meadows for its unique, comb-like oat seeds that hang neatly off just one side of the stem.
 
It’s a tough-as-nails, drought-tolerant beauty that stays in a tidy clump, making it perfect for smaller garden beds or rock gardens. In late summer, keep an eye out for its bright red and orange anthers—they’re tiny, but they pack a visual punch! Side oats grama is also a fabulous species as a lawn replacement, having no problem with being mowed.
 
It’s the ultimate low-maintenance grass that supports everything from skipper butterflies to foraging birds.
 
Photo by Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova