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

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Landscape Characteristics
Foliage Color
Classification by Use
Color Impact
Drought Tolerant
Foundation Planting
Mass Planting
Native
Specialty Use
Butterfly Garden
Wildlife Garden
Animal Resistance
Deer Resistant
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Songbirds
Habit
Clumping
Upright
Light Requirement
Full Sun
Foliage
Deciduous
Season of Interest (Flowering)
Summer
Season of Interest (Foliage)
Fall
Summer
Growth Rate
Fast
Soil Moisture
Average Water
Foliage Color
Blue
Bronze
Green
Orange
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.