Remember that old comedy team, the Smothers Brothers? At some point during their TV show Tom would glare at Dick and blurt, “Mom always liked you best!”

In “side-oats grama,” we have a long-suffering, attention-deserving American native grass unfairly eclipsed by its better-known sibling, the lovely, scheming B. gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’.

B. curtipendula is a charming, versatile, self-sufficient warm-season grass. Dense clumps of slender bluish-gray blades stand two feet tall. Small but attractive purplish flowers give way to oat-like seedheads that adorn just one side of each arching, nodding, three-foot stem.

In autumn, foliage takes on a warm golden brown hue with hints of orange and red.

Hardy in Zones 4 – 9, it grows best in full sun in dry-to-medium soil once established.

Fun Fact 

The genus is named for two 19^th Century Spanish botanists, brothers Claudio and Exteban Boutelou.

Funner Fact 

The specific epithet is Latin for “hanging to the side somewhat.” If Latin nomenclature is so complicated, why could the ancient Romans say all that in one word while English needs five?

Funnest Fact 

The Smothers Brothers’ controversial comedy show aired over 50 years ago. If you really DO remember them, you’re officially old. If you don’t, check ‘em out on YouTube. They’re still a hoot. 

Help rectify a historical horticultural wrong. Give Bouteloua curtipendula its rightful moment in the sun. It’s available now in fast-finishing 38-cell liners from Emerald Coast Growers – your easy choice!