Side oats gramma grass is a warm season grass meaning it actively grows during the warm summer months. It is a clump forming grass that is great at holding the soil in place. It’s 2 to 3-foot stems are bright green in summer and bleach to a rich tan in the fall. The seeds hang off one side of the stem giving this plant its common name. 
 
Side Oats gramma is a host plant to green and dotted skippers. The seeds are eaten by birds and it also provides them nesting material. The plant provides excellent cover for small animals. Plant it with other meadow plants such as black-eyed Susan. Nodding wild onion, purple cone flower, butterfly weed and swamp milkweed. Use it on banks with other plants to keep erosion from happening and to eliminate mowing on hills. 
 
The seed heads make excellent cut flowers and add interest to you garden. Plant in full sun. When established it is drought tolerant.