Plant Type

Ground cover, 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

Very Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate, Slow

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Japanese, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Native Garden

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Foundation, Lawn, Parking Strip, Parking Lot, Walkways, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Lawn Alternative, Naturalizing, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Butterflies

Sideoats is a clumping, warm season grass. It is cold hardy, drought tolerant, and occasional mowing, and light foot traffic. Gray-green, fine textured grass grows between 1 and 2 feet tall. Purple tinted, erect flowers emerge in June and grow 5 to 15 inches above the grass clumps, and look like little banners waving on the stems. Birds and wildlife relish the seeds, which also provides larval food for skipper butterflies.

Sow as seed or plant plugs from late spring to mid summer. Mow in early spring, for clean regrowth. Requires full sun, but tolerates a range of soil types. Very low water requirement once established. No pest or disease problems. Goes dormant in fall as