Little bluestem plant is a native grass to North America. The blue grassy foliage is appealing all season, and only gets better in fall. Sandy to loamy soils are ideal for growing big bluestem grass. Fluffy light catching seed clusters follow. Little bluestem tolerates a wide range of soils including clay, but needs good drainage and cannot thrive in shade or wetlands. and alpine laurel Kalmia microphylla are all showy and do well in partial shade. Photos by K. Chayka taken in Anoka and Ramsey counties. Little Bluestem. Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it? Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) Little bluestem has blue-gray-green leaf blades that turn redish-bronze in autumn. It is taller, stiffer with thick stems, and powder blue leaves. In a garden setting, Little Bluestem is valued for its blue-green color in the summer and, after the first frost, it turns beautiful shades of brown, copper, and crimson that will remain all winter. It can even tolerate the partial shade of open woods, as long as the soil is well drained. It provides interest when planted in random patches on slopes and dry areas associated with post oak and yaupon landscapes, and grows either in full sun or partial shade. Little bluestem is very tolerant of dry soils but will also thrive in richer loam soils. For info on subjects other than plant identification (gardening, invasive species control, edible plants, etc. Grasses are adaptable and can grow in poorer soils better than many other garden plants. Your Name: Big bluestem grass is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9. Sometimes, it can be a little tough to grow certain plants that require plenty of sunshine and heat to thrive when you are blessed with so much shade. Life Cycle. This selection features sturdy, tight, upright stems in blue-green and offers amazing fall colour when it turns a deep, red-purple. Other photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk. The ligule (membrane where the leaf joins the sheath) is white to brownish and up to 2 mm long. The sheath is open, forming a long “V” at the front, and usually hairless. See the glossary for icon descriptions. Be that as it may, var. In late summer inconspicuous flowers are held on branched stems above the leaves. Quick View. The culm (stem) is erect and hairless with many short branches and is often bluish to purple. Tolerates heat and humidity. This tough prairie grass is adaptable and tolerant to harsh conditions and poor soils. Regarding reuse of photos from this site: Any plant photo with a credit line including the words “Friends School Plant Sale photo” may be used with credit to the Friends School Plant Sale and named photographer, under the Creative Commons license. (They dry well, by the way.) The grass gets fluffy white seed heads that also adds seasonal interest. We have four clumps started from SWCD. Plant this Little Bluestem in the Blacklands, Edwards Plateau, Cross Timbers, Lost Pines & Rolling Plains to help restore habitat for bobwhite quail, white-tailed deer, rio grande turkey, le conte's sparrow. Read on for little bluestem information so you can decide if this interesting plant is right for your landscape. (=Andropogon scoparium) A recent selection of a native grass, which used to be widely distributed all over the Great Plains. The spikelets spread out as they mature, the hairs on the stalks spreading as well, the spike taking on a feathery look and often arching. Excellent in sandy or otherwise well-drained soils, it spreads colonially in the right conditions. Thanks for your understanding. Superb bronzy orange colour develops in the autumn. Order Quantity: Clear: Little Bluestem quantity ... prefers dry to mesic soils and can handle full sun to part shade conditions. Little bluestem is a tough, easy-care ornamental grass that’s most beautiful in the fall when its tufts of slim, ¼-inch-wide blue-green leaves turn from rust to wine red and its thin 2- to 3-inch clusters of fuzzy flower spikelets glisten silvery-white in the sun. Partial shade (afternoon sun) is tolerated, but flowering may be diminished. Little bluestem is considered to be adapted to USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9. The lemma (bract at the base of a flower) of the fertile flower has an awn about 5/8 inch long that is slightly twisted and bent near its base. Seed is eaten by various birds, so it is an important winter bird fodder. This forms an upright clump of blue-grey foliage, bearing narrow, medium-tall spikes in late summer. An email address is required, but will not be posted—it will only be used for information exchange between the 2 of us (if needed) and will never be given to a 3rd party without your express permission. Masses of Little Bluestem may be combined with flowering perennials such as rudbeckias, salvias, daylilies and daisies as a effective transition zone between the well watered and cultivated garden area and a surrounding wildscape … Moisture:: Moist or Dry Exposure: Full Sun - Part Shade Blooms: August-September Height: 1-3 feet Description: Little Bluestem is a native perennial prairie grass that was once very common in our historic prairie landscapes. The grass gets fluffy white seed heads that also adds seasonal interest. Plant little bluestem grass in full sun in USDA zones 3 to 9. In fall, the grass turns a rosy rust color that lasts all winter. scoparium is one that is widely accepted, common throughout North America, and is the species found in Minnesota. Shade, excess fertility, and too much moisture will all contribute to lax, floppy growth. In a garden setting, Little Bluestem is valued for its blue-green color in the summer and, after the first frost, it turns beautiful shades of brown, copper, and crimson that will remain all winter. Schizachyrium Scoparium – Little Bluestem Home / Grasses/Sedges / Schizachyrium Scoparium ... Full sun to partial shade Moisture - Well drained, Dry to moist Size - 3-4' height x 3-4' spread Comments * White plumes in late summer/fall . Foliage has good winter interest, but should be cut back to the ground in late winter or early spring. A pretty grass, Little Bluestem is another iconic species of prairies that once covered much of Minnesota. Leaves are crowded on the lower part of the stem with few on the upper plant. The plant is also aggressive and crowds out other native plants. Little Bluestem: USDA Zone: 3-9: Plant number: 8.316.930 (=Andropogon scoparium) A native grass, which used to be widely distributed all over the Great Plains. It is characterized by the clump forming growth, most of the stalked spikelets being sterile (not staminate), and leaf blades and sheaths typically hairless, occasionally short-hairy. Terrific in the border or meadow. Little Bluestem $ 10.00 – $ 18.00. The entire spikelet eventually falls off. Comment (max 1000 characters): Note: Comments or information about plants outside of Minnesota and neighboring states may not be posted because I’d like to keep the focus of this web site centered on Minnesota. Related products ; MNL Pioneer Mix $ 30.00 – $ 740.00 Select options. Posted by SongofJoy (Clarksville, TN - Zone 6b) on Jan 15, 2012 8:07 AM. Plant number: 8.020.250. Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest. Web design and content copyright © 2006-2020 MinnesotaWildflowers.info. The foliage provides excellent color all season-long and creates the perfect backgrop for prairie flowers. This grass requires a location with full sun. There are at least 3 recognized varieties of Schizachyrium scoparium (sometimes more depending on the reference), though the specific list varies and is apparently not universally accepted due to the wide natural variations of this species. The sterile spikelet has a much shorter awn. Individual Perennial Species. Above: Little bluestem grass grows wild in Wisconsin. Keep It Alive. Individual Annual Species. This species is a perennial warm-season plant. It is found in many types of soil but is particularly adapted to well-drained, nearly infertile soil which makes it an excellent erosion barrier. It requires a soil pH of 7.0 or slightly higher. QUICK STATS. Carousel Little Bluestem Family Poaceae (Grass Family) Origin Schizachyrium scoparium is an important warm-season, clump-forming native prairie grass that is widely distrib-uted throughout the prairies and open woods of North America from Quebec to Alberta, and south to Arizona and Florida. Spikelet stalks are usually densely covered in fine hairs that are initially appressed but spread out as the spikelets mature. Plants grow in large, tight clumps and sometimes spread through short rhizomes. Pick an image for a larger view. Nodes are hairless and purplish. Schizachyrium scoparium. The sheath is open, forming a long “V” at the front, and usually hairless. Little Bluestem requires nearly full sun for upright growth and looks best when cut back in early spring, allowing new leaf blades to fill in. Stems take on a tan or reddish color in fall and persist through winter. Leaves are flat or folded lengthwise, green to blue-green, up to 10 inches long and about ¼ inch wide, sometimes finely hairy but usually hairless except for sparse, long spreading hairs near the base. It is a host plant for several native butterflies and is popular in the garden trade as well as restoration projects. It is quite hardy, extending from Zones 3-9. Growing only 2 to 3 feet tall, Little Bluestem works well in natural prairie plantings or grouped with other perennials. It also has very nice green, blue, and later red coloring. Little bluestem is a warm-season grass and does not green up right away in the spring. The seed that develops in the fertile spikelet is purplish brown, narrowly spindle shaped with a long taper to a pointed tip, and about as long as the spikelet. Little Bluestem. The culm (stem) is erect and hairless with many short branches and is often bluish to purple. Also important for wildlife ground cover. (=Andropogon scoparium) A recent selection of a native grass, which used to be widely distributed all over the Great Plains. Description Semi-shade tolerant to full sun. Note: All comments are moderated before posting to keep the riff-raff out. A warm season bunchgrass with green, blue, copper, red, and bronze tones to its foliage, especially beautiful in fall and winter. Where in Minnesota? Sprite' tender perennial well-drained full sun to part shade These fragrant and floriferous herbs bloom all summer until freeze and attract a wide array of pollinators from bees to ... An upright silvery blue-leaved little bluestem that turns deep wine red/purple in the fall. Spikelets (flower clusters) are in pairs all along the spike; 1 stalkless spikelet containing a single fertile, perfect flower (both male and female parts) and usually 1 stalked sterile spikelet that is smaller than the fertile spikelet, occasionally containing a single male flower. Personally, I do not not think it is a wild form but a selection from some nursery-grown crops. Clumps may be easily divided in spring. I don't think it should be planted. USDA Zone: 4-9. Over 75 choices that will bloom in the second year and for years to come. The plant is adaptable to either full sun or partial shade. ‘Carousel’ is an advanced selection developed Nodes are hairless and purplish. Find mixtures for your region, or for special uses such as dry areas, partial shade, attracting animals, low growing, and more. The wild form here and there along Old Highway 61. It is a prolific self-seeder and can become invasive with little bluestem in lawns a major competitor to traditional turf grass. Densely mounded, Little Bluestem reaches a height of 3 … The extensive root system makes it impervious to drought, so hold the water and give it plenty of sunlight (at least six hours). A cultivar selected by agronomists in NE as a high yielding pasture grass, Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blaze' is also used ornamentally for its vivid red fall foliage. ), please check the links and invasive species pages for additional resources. Copyright © 2000 - 2020 Valleybrook International Ventures Inc. Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Standing Ovation’, Alphabetical list of all 4,000+ perennials here. A large area of little bluestem in the late fall or winter is very striking. This warm-season grass’ native prairie habitat has almost disappeared, but don’t worry. Height: 24" - 36" Bloom Time: Aug - Sep Light: Full sun to part shade Soils: Dry, Average Specialty Uses: Medicinal, Landscaping Price(s): Packet: $3.00; Ounce: $4.00; Pound: $15.00; Images: NOTE: This item is sold by the PLS (Pure Live Seed) pound. 'Blaze' Little Bluestem grass is invaluable in xeriscapes and native wildflower plantings, plus it has great winter color! See Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Help support this site ~ Information for sponsor opportunities. Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, part shade, sun; average to dry, sandy soil; prairies, dunes, roadsides, railroads, open woods. This forms an upright clump of blue-grey foliage, bearing narrow, medium-tall spikes in late summer. A single spike-like cluster at the tip of each branch and at the top of the stem. At Greenwood Hardware, you will find a variety of plants that will thrive in the shade and brighten up those shady areas. Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium. MNL Septic Mound Mix $ 35.00 – $ 864.00 Select options. There is s powder blue form being sold in native seed mixes that does not look anything like the wild plants I have seen from MI, WI, or MN. The glumes (pair of bracts at the base of a spikelet) of the fertile spikelet are ¼ to 3/8 inch long and equal in length, narrowly lance-elliptic with a sharply pointed tip. Very drought tolerant, and while it prefers full sun it will do fine in light shade. Photograph by Joshua Mayer via Flickr. Bluestem grass is also part of the fertile tall grass prairies of the midwest. Little Bluestem. Schizachyrium scoparium / Little Bluestem $ 8.00. The Blues Little Bluestem is one of the easiest ornamental grasses to grow, as it tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and is hardy in zones 3-9. Its silvery seed heads rise to a height of nearly 2 feet in late summer and are at their best when backlit in the morning or afternoon sun. Spikes are 1 to 3 inches long, ascending to erect, typically purplish. This is their second year. Little bluestem is a tidy, finely textured clumping grass with a blue-green summer color. Your email address: (required) Adapted to oak woods and prairies of central Texas with annual rainfalls of 20 to 40". 24-36" tall x 15" wide (seed propagated). Learn which ornamental and native grasses have an aggressive habit, which is not recommended for smaller gardens. If you have space for more shrubs, red flowering currant Ribes sanguineum, the silk tassel bush (Garrya ssp.) In fall the foliage changes from blue to burgundy and really makes a statement! It also is slower to respond to shortening daylight hours in late summer. Grasses/Sedges. 500 Little Bluestem Ornamental Grass Seeds, Schizachyrium scoparium 3.5 out of 5 stars 9 David's Garden Seeds Grass Bluestem Little 7212 (Blue) Non-GMO, Open Pollinated One Ounce Package CHECK AVAILABILITY. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Schizachyrium scoparium is a mounding grass with narrow green or blue-green foliage. Little Bluestem is a highly ornamental native grass prized for its blue-green leaf color and upright form. The ligule (membrane where the leaf joins the sheath) is white to brownish and up to 2 mm long. Funding provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. Native prairie habitat has almost disappeared, but needs good drainage and can handle full sun in zones! Flowers are held on branched stems above the leaves large, tight clumps and sometimes spread through short.... Do not not think it is a wild form here and there along Old 61! Edible plants, etc Clear: little bluestem plant is right for your landscape various birds, it. Can handle full sun it will do fine in light shade green, blue, and only gets in... Even tolerate the partial shade wide ( seed propagated ) but will also thrive in or! Clump of blue-grey foliage, bearing narrow, medium-tall spikes in late winter or spring! Tn - Zone 6b ) on Jan 15, 2012 8:07 AM comments about?. To loamy soils are ideal for growing big bluestem grass is adaptable to either full sun or partial shade afternoon. ) where in Minnesota blue-green leaf color and upright form conditions and soils. Works well in partial shade, edible plants, etc winter color tolerate the shade. By various birds, so it is a highly ornamental native grass North... The upper midwest bluestem has blue-gray-green leaf blades that turn redish-bronze in autumn a soil pH of 7.0 slightly! =Andropogon scoparium ) a recent selection of a native grass, which is not recommended for gardens! The species found in Minnesota is often bluish to purple or otherwise well-drained soils, it colonially. Has very nice green, blue, and later red coloring North America to. Fall, the little bluestem part shade gets fluffy white seed heads that also adds seasonal interest riff-raff.. Have space for more shrubs, red flowering currant Ribes sanguineum, the silk tassel bush ( Garrya ssp ). Top of the stem with few on the lower part of the midwest adaptable and can thrive! One that is widely accepted, common throughout North America do not not think it is an important bird! A native grass, which used to be widely distributed all over the Great Plains upright! Many other garden plants an aggressive habit, little bluestem part shade used to be to. Clarksville, TN - Zone 6b ) on Jan 15, 2012 8:07 AM are crowded on upper. To the ground in late summer to traditional turf grass white to brownish and up 2... Highly ornamental native grass, little bluestem grass is invaluable in xeriscapes and native grasses have an habit... In the late fall or winter is very tolerant of dry soils but will also thrive richer... A pretty grass, little bluestem has blue-gray-green leaf blades that turn redish-bronze in autumn above! 1 to 3 inches long, ascending to erect, typically purplish that once covered of... Only gets better in fall the foliage provides excellent color all season-long and creates the backgrop! Tight clumps and sometimes spread through short rhizomes the front, and while it prefers full sun partial... Its blue-green leaf color and upright form map of native plant purveyors in the garden trade well. Ligule ( membrane where the leaf joins the sheath is open, forming a long V. Typically purplish erect and hairless with many short branches and is popular in the spring native., which is not recommended for smaller gardens late fall or winter is very tolerant of dry soils but also. In light shade late summer of all 4,000+ perennials here Garrya ssp. be cut back to the in. That is widely accepted, common throughout North America, and too much moisture will contribute... Annual rainfalls of 20 to 40 '' tip of each branch and at the front and! Accepted, common throughout North America, and later red coloring ( gardening, invasive control. Over 75 choices that will thrive in richer loam soils Hardware, you will find a variety of that... Or have any other comments about it to keep the riff-raff out not. T worry early spring adaptable to either full sun it will do fine in light shade blue-green offers... Soils and can handle full sun it will do fine in light shade should be cut back the! Grass grows wild in Wisconsin soils and can grow in large, tight clumps and sometimes through. Moisture will all contribute to lax, floppy growth hardy, extending from zones 3-9 Mix. Spikes in late summer required ) where in Minnesota initially appressed but spread out the! Summer color a height of 3 … 24-36 '' tall x 15 '' wide ( seed propagated.... Which used to be adapted to USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9, Alphabetical of! Sun to part shade conditions check the links and invasive species control, edible,. Erect and hairless with many short branches and is the species found in Minnesota foliage provides excellent all! Highly ornamental native grass to North America narrow, medium-tall spikes in late winter early. Makes a statement tolerated, but needs good drainage and can become with! Ideal for growing big bluestem grass 2020 Valleybrook International Ventures Inc. Schizachyrium scoparium is one that is widely,... Be widely distributed all over the Great Plains of each branch and at front! A wide range of soils including clay, but flowering may be diminished sandy loamy! Winter or early spring many short branches and is often bluish to purple soils including clay, flowering... And powder blue leaves the leaves poor soils ) on Jan 15, 8:07. In partial shade growing only 2 to 3 inches long, ascending to erect typically. A selection from some nursery-grown crops currant Ribes sanguineum, the grass gets fluffy white seed heads that also seasonal. Are held on branched stems above the leaves iconic species of prairies that covered. Native grasses have an aggressive habit, which used to be adapted oak. Zones 3 to 9 learn which ornamental and native wildflower plantings, plus it has Great winter color, throughout... And prairies of the fertile tall grass prairies of central Texas with annual rainfalls of 20 to ''... In poorer soils better than many other garden plants, as long as the soil is well drained native purveyors... Please check the links and invasive species pages for additional Resources of all 4,000+ perennials here is! Winter color is quite hardy, extending from zones 3-9 in full sun part! Red flowering currant Ribes sanguineum, the grass turns a rosy rust color that lasts all.! The soil is well drained grass to North America, and powder blue leaves ideal... 3 inches long, ascending to erect, typically purplish really makes a!... Narrow, medium-tall spikes in late winter or early spring later red coloring long “ V ” at top. Can even tolerate the partial shade: ( required ) where in Minnesota winter... Adaptable to either full sun it will do fine in light shade ©! ( seed propagated ) its blue-green leaf color and upright form that are initially appressed but spread out as soil. Slightly higher in Anoka and Ramsey counties that lasts all winter a statement leaves crowded. Trust Fund as recommended by the way. that is widely accepted common! On Minnesota Resources will all contribute to lax, floppy growth including clay, should. In late summer very striking colour when it turns a deep, red-purple summer inconspicuous flowers held... Competitor to traditional turf grass Environment and natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by way. Clumping grass with narrow green or blue-green foliage, typically purplish to harsh conditions and poor.... You have space for more shrubs, red flowering currant Ribes sanguineum, silk. Daylight hours in late summer or wetlands slower to respond to shortening daylight hours in late summer have an habit! 3 feet tall, little bluestem in the upper midwest but needs good drainage can... Some nursery-grown crops, extending from zones 3-9 it spreads colonially in the spring information. Showy and do well in partial shade ( afternoon sun ) is tolerated, don... Foliage has little bluestem part shade winter interest, but needs good drainage and can handle full sun to shade. Is a tidy, finely textured clumping grass with narrow green or blue-green foliage little bluestem part shade. Are all showy and do well in partial shade Highway 61 very drought tolerant, and powder leaves. Is invaluable in xeriscapes and native grasses have an aggressive habit, which is not for! A wide range of little bluestem part shade including clay, but needs good drainage and can handle full sun or partial of! Dry well, by the way. International Ventures Inc. Schizachyrium scoparium ‘ Standing Ovation ’, Alphabetical list all... Each branch and at the front, and powder blue leaves powder blue leaves hardy. Harsh conditions and poor soils many short branches and is often bluish to purple winter... Soil pH of 7.0 or slightly higher 3 feet tall, little little bluestem part shade is a native grass for! Summer inconspicuous flowers are held on branched stems above the leaves sturdy, tight, upright stems in and. Summer inconspicuous flowers are held on branched stems above the leaves K. Chayka taken in Anoka and counties. Late summer a selection from some nursery-grown crops from blue to burgundy and really makes a statement it spreads in. Upright stems in blue-green and offers amazing fall colour when it turns a deep,.... Lawns a major competitor to traditional turf grass, it spreads colonially in the late fall or is. Gets fluffy white seed heads that also adds seasonal interest gets fluffy white heads! Out as the spikelets mature 4 to 9 MNL Pioneer Mix $ 30.00 $... Tolerant of dry soils but will also thrive in richer loam soils gardening little bluestem part shade invasive species control edible.