Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues'

Little Bluestem Grass

Little bluestem is an upright, clump-forming, warm-season grass with spiky blades of blue foliage with red stems. The wispy silvery flowers bloom in late summer. in fall the foliage turns a stunning mix of purple, orange, and shades of blue. A truly durable grass, it tolerates drought and heat with ease and thrives in lean soils. r.

Little bluestem provides excellent cover year-round. This is a larval host plant that supports several species of skippers and walking sticks.  Seeds are eaten by songbirds and small mammals.

As well as providing year-round cover for wildlife, little bluestem is a larval host plant to various butterflies and moths making it a great choice for a pollinator garden. The feathery, fine blue-green leaves are attractive in a mass planting in a rain, cottage, coastal, or low-water-use garden. They adapt well to container plantings or can be used in borders, meadows, restoration projects, and prairies.

 

  • Native warm season grass
  • Upright, clump-forming
  • Vibrant fall colors

  • Category: Grass, Native
  • Hardiness Zone: 3-10
  • Height: 2-3 ft
  • Spread: 2-3 ft
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Classification by Use
Drought Tolerant
Color Impact
Foundation Planting
Mass Planting
Landscape Characteristics
Foliage Color
Growing & Maintenance Tips for Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues'

This durable native grass tolerates drought and heat with ease and thrives in lean soils. Plant in full sun. Cut back in early spring before new growth emerges.