Bouteloua gracilis 'Hachita' ('Hachita' Blue Grama Grass)

This vase-shaped indian grass produces golden yellow plumes, giving 'Indian Steel' a refined appearance. Each flower spike has tiny, bright yellow pollen sacs that stand out on the darker seed heads. From early spring to fall, the foliage is metallic blue, mellowing to a copper-tan after the first frost.

'Prairie Fire' is a distinctly red form from this popular species. The foliage emerges blue-green in spring, but by early summer, the leaves begin to turn shades of deep red. It is unique among switchgrasses because most varieties don't peak until late summer. ‘Prairie Fire’ gradually turns butter yellow in late fall and lingers into winter.

This grass is easy to grow and always beautiful. In early summer, slender stems are topped with flowers that produce a crop of jointed seeds. Clumps get large and die out in the center, so division every three or four years is necessary. Autumn frosts turn the leaves shades of red-bronze.

From the prairies of Nebraska comes a refined variety of big bluestem: 'Pawnee'. It has an upright habit and warm fall colors that persist into winter. Each stiffly vertical stem has the characteristic bluish purple cast of this genus. In late summer, 'Pawnee' develops purplish red flowers in groups of three or six, which resemble the foot of a turkey—hence its nickname: "Turkey Foot Grass." Big bluestem has an extensive root system that can extend down more than 10 feet. Each year, a third of these roots die, opening up channels for water.