species of plant
Wisconsin Horticulture
hort.extension.wisc.edu › articles › little-bluestem-schizachyrium-scoparium
Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium – Wisconsin Horticulture
Little bluestem clumps grow 1-2 feet high, until late summer when the stems elongate into flowering stems which may reach 5 feet. It has coarse stems and basal leaves. As with all warm-season grasses, it is slow to emerge in spring but continues ...
Prairie Nursery
prairienursery.com › little-bluestem-schizachyrium-scoparium.html
Little Bluestem - Schizachyrium scoparium | Prairie Nursery
October 10, 2020 - Little Bluestem is a highly ornamental native grass prized for its blue-green leaf color and upright form. The foliage provides excellent color all season-long and creates the perfect backgrop for prairie flowers. Densely mounded, Little Bluestem reaches a height of 3 feet by autumn, when it turns a striking bronze, with illuminated tufted seeds.
Videos
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Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) Native Plant Profile ...
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Schizachryium WorryFree® Chameleon (Little Bluestem) / Magnificent, ...
01:40
Little Bluestem Plant Profile - YouTube
06:54
Little Bluestem - A small grass that makes a big impact. - YouTube
05:44
Little bluestem: easy to grow and feeds the caterpillars! - YouTube
What is the seeding rate for a solid stand of Little Bluestem?
The seeding rate for Little Bluestem for a solid stand (of a single species) is:
• 5 oz. per 1000 sq. ft., or
• 12 lb. per acre. When seeding two or more grasses together, divide the seeding rate for each species by the number of species to be planted...
• 5 oz. per 1000 sq. ft., or
• 12 lb. per acre. When seeding two or more grasses together, divide the seeding rate for each species by the number of species to be planted...
prairienursery.com
prairienursery.com › little-bluestem-schizachyrium-scoparium.html
Little Bluestem - Schizachyrium scoparium | Prairie Nursery
Do you have seeding instructions for Little Bluestem? Is it difficult to grow from seed or does it establish easily? Please explain the technique for dry stratification for little Bluestem. Thanks so much.
Little Bluestem is easy to grow and establish from seed. The Little Bluestem seed from Prairie Nursery has been stored in cold dry storage, and is ready to plant. Spread the seed evenly over a prepared, weed-free soil or planting medium, and rake/cover with...
prairienursery.com
prairienursery.com › little-bluestem-schizachyrium-scoparium.html
Little Bluestem - Schizachyrium scoparium | Prairie Nursery
Will this grow in clay soil if the soil is well-drained?
Little Bluestem can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, including well-drained (medium clay) soils. It can take longer to mature on medium clays, but once it is established, is fine. We do not recommended planting Little Bluestem...
prairienursery.com
prairienursery.com › little-bluestem-schizachyrium-scoparium.html
Little Bluestem - Schizachyrium scoparium | Prairie Nursery
North Carolina Extension Gardener
plants.ces.ncsu.edu › plants › schizachyrium-scoparium
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem, Prairie Beardgrass, Prairie Beard Grass) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Purple-bronze racemes form above the clump of leaves and appear in August. Blooms from June-October.
Missouri Botanical Garden
missouribotanicalgarden.org › PlantFinder › PlantFinderDetails.aspx
Schizachyrium scoparium - Plant Finder
Common Name: little bluestem · Type: Ornamental grass · Family: Poaceae · Native Range: Eastern North America · Zone: 3 to 9 · Height: 2.00 to 4.00 feet · Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet · Bloom Time: August to February · Bloom Description: Purplish bronze ·
Prairie Moon Nursery
prairiemoon.com › home › seeds › schizachyrium scoparium
Schizachyrium scoparium Little Bluestem | Prairie Moon Nursery
Schizachyrium scoparium
Little Bluestem is an iconic warm season grass of the
prairie habitat that is commonly used in both landscaping and restoration
projects. In shortgrass prairies, it is often the dominant species along with Side-oats
Grama. In tallgrass prairies, companion grasses include Big
Bluestem, Indian
Grass, and Switch
Grass.One of the most widely distributed species of grass in the
US, Little Bluestem is very drought-tolerant, but it can do well in moist
situations too.
Farmers have used this species for hay, but consecutive years of haying
will likely cause the species to disappear. In a gar
Price $21.00
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
wildflower.org › plants › result.php
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin
Little Bluestem is a very ornamental bunchgrass with fine-textured foliage that forms very dense mounds 18-24 inches tall. Slender blue-green stems often reach 5 feet, or more, by September, and become radiant mahogany-red with white, shining seed tufts in the fall.
The Spruce
thespruce.com › little-bluestem-growing-guide-5214474
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) Care & Growing Guide
April 25, 2025 - The purplish seed heads, stems, and foliage turn a copper-yellow shade in the fall, meaning it's a great winter-interest ornamental grass. You can plant the seeds in spring or fall, and they establish quickly. Be aware that little bluestem ...
Vaworkinglandscapes
vaworkinglandscapes.org › home › what’s in bloom | little bluestem
What’s In Bloom | Little Bluestem - Virginia Working Landscapes
October 20, 2023 - Little Bluestem flowers for around 2 weeks in late summer-autumn. Spikelets2 occur opposite each other along a rachis (central stalk), which is covered in long white hairs. Florets are cross-pollinated by the wind, and each spikelet forms 1 ...
Gardenia
gardenia.net › home › plants › schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)
Bloom Time: It blooms in late summer to early fall, adding visual interest to gardens when many other plants are beginning to fade. Foliage: The narrow leaves are initially blue-green, turning to striking copper-orange to dark orange-red in ...
Better Homes & Gardens
bhg.com › gardening › plant-dictionary › perennial › little-bluestem
Grow Little Bluestem in Your Prairie-Style Garden
April 9, 2024 - Little bluestem, a warm-season grass, greens up during the warmth of late spring and benefits when we leave it standing into the winter, before cutting down to above the crown in late winter or early spring.
USU Extension
extension.usu.edu › yardandgarden › research › little-bluestem-in-the-landscape
Little Bluestem in the Landscape | USU
December 14, 2023 - Garden irises are hardy, long-lived perennials that need a minimum of care. They are an established “backbone” of home gardens because they bloom when few other plants do—after spring-flowering bulbs and before peonies, delphinium and phlox.
Turner Seed
turnerseed.com › little-bluestem-native.html
turnerseed: Little Bluestem - Native
Little Bluestem - Native
Little
Bluestem is a warm-season perennial bunch grass native to North America. It
grows 24 to 72 inches high and changes color throughout the year from
blue-green in the spring to
reddish-brown in the fall. Little bluestem requires full to partial sun and
prefers well drained soils though it will tolerate most soil types. Little
bluestem is considered a highly desirable tall grass and is commonly referred
to as one of the big four prairie grasses along with switchgrass, indiangrass,
and big bluestem. It has medium grazing value with its best grazing typically
occurring from March to
Price $16.00
High Country Gardens
highcountrygardens.com › homepage › perennials › standing ovation little bluestem grass
Standing Ovation Little Bluestem Grass, Schizachyrium | High Country Gardens
Standing Ovation Little Bluestem Grass
• Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation' (Little Bluestem Grass) is an outstanding native ornamental grass with four seasons of beauty ·
• Blue summer foliage transitions to shades of red, orange, yellow and purple in fall ·
• Its strongly upright growth habit maintains a tidy appearance, even in winter! ·
• 2018 HCG Plant Of The Year. A 2016 Plant Select® plant
·
Price $13.99
USDA
plants.usda.gov › DocumentLibrary › plantguide › pdf › pg_scsc.pdf pdf
LITTLE BLUESTEM Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash Plant Symbol = SCSC
little bluestem can make fair to good hay when part of a native hayland mixture (Sedivec et al., 2008). It is a popular species · to include in prairie restoration seedings because of its wide adaptation and high wildlife value. Plants will sometimes die · from the center out in the clump if the plants become too dry. Burning at the opportune time ...
McKay Nursery
mckaynursery.com › home › little bluestem grass
Shop Little Bluestem Grass - Schizachyrium scoparium | McKay Nursery
It is a warm season, clump forming grass. The blue-green foliage provides a great backdrop for the prairie flowers in summer, turning a striking crimson in fall. The fluffy silver seed heads add some real dazzle to the autumn landscape.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/nativeplantgardening › native plant profile: little bluestem
r/NativePlantGardening on Reddit: Native Plant Profile: Little Bluestem
December 30, 2023 -
Celebrate National Native Plant Month: Spotlight on Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Dive into the beauty and versatility of Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), a native North American grass that paints our landscapes with hues of blue, purple, and fiery oranges and reds as seasons change. Thriving in a variety of habitats, from prairies to open woodlands, this perennial grass is a staple in sustainable and native landscaping.
KEY FEATURES
Appearance: Distinguished by its slender, blue-green stems that transition to a stunning display of oranges, reds, and purples in the fall. The fluffy, silver-white seed heads add texture and visual interest through winter.
Bloom Time: Produces flowers in late summer, transforming into attractive seed heads that persist into winter, providing visual interest and food for birds.
Ecology: A foundational species in the prairie ecosystem, Little Bluestem supports a wide range of wildlife. Its seeds are a food source for birds, and its dense foliage offers shelter for insects and small animals.
Conservation: Vital for soil health and erosion control, its deep root system helps stabilize the ground and enrich the soil.
WHY GROW LITTLE BLUESTEM?
Drought Resistance: Once established, it is highly drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for low-water gardens and xeriscaping.
Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for busy gardeners and naturalistic landscapes.
Versatile Design: Its striking seasonal color and texture make Little Bluestem a versatile plant for a range of garden designs, from formal borders to wild meadows.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is not just a plant; it's a celebration of change, resilience, and the beauty inherent in our native landscapes. Consider adding Little Bluestem to your garden or landscape project. Its ecological benefits and visual appeal throughout the seasons make it a valuable and beautiful contribution to any space. Just one of the many reasons Wild Ones choose it to feature in our branding graphics!
https://youtube.com/shorts/F5AhNrwkbnE
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One thing we appreciate about it is the winter movement. Everything around here loses it's leaves or dies back to a stem over the winter, but little bluestem waves in the wind all winter. It's pretty.
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I have little bluestem growing and it's crazy how silvery green-blue it looks compared to other plants. It's so pretty to break up the yellowy-green colors.
Hoffman Nursery
hoffmannursery.com › plants › details › schizachyrium-scoparium
Info Schizachyrium scoparium Little Bluestem native
An original prairie grass, ... during the winter months. Cut back Little Bluestem in the spring before new growth emerges. 3-9 · Warm · Bloom: Early Fall ·...
Growit Buildit
growitbuildit.com › little-bluestem-facts-information-growing
A Beginner's Guide To Little Bluestem | Growit Buildit
June 19, 2025 - Little Bluestem is an ornamental grass native to most of North America[1]. Scientifically known as Schizachyrium scoparium, it grows 2-4′ tall in full sun &well draining soil[2]. A highly adaptable grass, it has blue-green foliage in Spring that changes to a purple-bronze color in Fall.
Hoffman Nursery
hoffmannursery.com › schizachyrium
Dig deeper into Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium
The foliage of Little Bluestem adds a kaleidoscope of pastel colors in summer and coppery tones in fall. It's a mostly upright bunch grass, with basal foliage emerging in mid- to late spring. Flowering culms rise above the leaves in mid- to late summer to produce intricate blooms that become ...
Nebraska Extension
lancaster.unl.edu › little-bluestem-2022-perennial-plant-year
Little Bluestem - 2022 Perennial Plant of the Year | Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County | Nebraska
Growing Little Bluestem Little bluestem is a warm-season grass which starts growth in late spring and stops in early fall. Plants grow most actively during the hot days of summer and are quite drought tolerant once established. It’s native to a large portion of North America and was one of ...