Alphabetical Plant Listing

Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)

Little Bluestem, Popotillo Azul, Blue Stem, Broom Beard Grass, Broom Grass, Bunchgrass, Prairie Grass, Wire Grass, Andropogon scoparius


Noted for its striking reddish-tan foliage, Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) is a densely-tufted, deciduous, perennial grass forming an upright clump of fine-textured, slender, arching, blue-green leaves. The foliage of this North American prairie native turns striking copper-orange to dark orange-red in the fall and winter, persisting through winter snows. In late summer, delicate inflorescences appear in 3 in. long racemes (7 cm) on branched stems rising above the foliage. At first inconspicuous, they become particularly attractive after they dry and turn silvery reddish-brown. Their white, shining, cotton-tufted seedheads are of great value to small birds in winter. Providing a very long season of interest, Little Bluestem is easy to grow, tolerates heat, drought and humidity. It is an attractive addition to the landscape and can be used as an accent in borders, or in drifts in natural settings where it will mix happily with prairie wildflowers.

  • Grows up to 2-4 ft. tall (60-120 cm) and 18-24 in. (45-60 cm). This plant readily reseeds.
  • Performs best in full sun in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. This plant is not fussy about soils and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including poor soils and clay. It does not persist in highly fertile soils or in moist conditions.
  • Excellent choice for drought-prone gardens, this architectural grass is perfect for beds and borders where it will easily combine with other plants, rock gardens, prairie plantings, city or cottage gardens. Great for erosion control on banks and slopes.
  • Drought tolerant, it requires very little care and is virtually pest and disease free. Deer resistant
  • Cut to the ground in late winter to early spring.
  • Propagate by seed or division.
  • Native to eastern North America.

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Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 2' – 4' (60cm – 120cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, California, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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Joshua Mayer, Drew Avery (Flickr)

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 2' – 4' (60cm – 120cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, California, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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