Summary
Possessing heat and drought tolerance, minimal nutrient needs, fall color, and winter interest, little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) makes a wonderful addition to the garden. Little bluestem is a clumping warm season grass with blue-green to green foliage. Reaching 2-4’ tall, this adaptable grass will grow in any site except wet or extremely acidic soils or in deep shade. Turning tawny-burgundy in autumn, Little bluestem has an extended season of interest into winter with silvery-white seed tufts along the stem. The movement and fine texture of little bluestem complements large composite flowers like tall tickseed (Coreopsis tripteris), pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida), Mohr’s rosinweed (Silphium mohrii), and aromatic aster (Symphyotrichium oblongifolium). Zones 3-9.
‘Carousel’ is a cultivar with a compact, rounded habit (2-2.5 ft. tall and wide) and stems that remain upright in fall and winter. It will not grow true from seed.
‘Prairie Blues’ is a cultivar with more consistent blue-colored foliage.
‘Ha Ha Tonka’ is a cultivar with densely hairy foliage with good fall color.
‘Little Red Fox’ is a compact cultivar that grows 2.5′ tall and features blue-green foliage turning shades of red, orange, and yellow in fall.
More Details
- Plant Type
perennial-grass - Sun/Shade Conditions
full-sun - Foliage Character
deciduous - Soil Moisture
average-to-dry - Flowering Period
mid-to-late-summer - Soil PH
adaptable - Flower Color
brown, purple - Summer Foliage Color
blue-green, green - Fall Foliage Color
brown, multi-color, purple, red, tan - Fruit/Seed Color
brown, white