Drought tolerant and has the ability to tackle a wide array of soil conditions from sandy to clay. It is also surprisingly ornamental. Growing in a mounding, slightly upright shape, long stalks emerge that produce hanging spikelets tinged with purple and red. It’s spectacular when planted in large sweeps. Side Oats Grama can be used on hillsides and slopes to prevent erosion, and it works well in roadside plantings. Bouteloua curtipendula is a natural for meadow and native gardens. This plant is found throughout the US, and is considered threatened in several states, according to the US Department of Agriculture.