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Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem, Prairie beard grass)

Schizachyrium scoparium Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

(Based on 1 user review)

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Schizachyrium scoparium skiz-ah-KEER-ee-um sko-PAR-ee-um Common Name: Little bluestem, Prairie beard grass Synonyms: Andropogon scoparium Genus: Schizachryium
Little bluestem is a tidy, finely textured clumping grass with a blue-green summer color. 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. In fall, the grass turns a rosy rust color that lasts all winter.
 Noteworthy characteristics: This prairie grass occupies a wide range in North America. It is an excellent choice for native, wild, or meadow plantings, as well as for adding structure and texture to borders and formal situations. It has given rise to a number of showier cultivars.
 Care: It is widely adaptable to most soils, except for wet or highly fertile ones. Grow in full sun. Trim close to the ground in spring; it is late to emerge.
 Propagation: Sow seed in fall or early winter; divide in spring.
 Problems: Infrequent.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Growth Pace Moderate Grower
Light Full Sun Only
Moisture Dry to Medium
Maintenance Low
Tolerance Deer Tolerant;Drought Tolerant;Frost Tolerant
Characteristics Attracts Birds; Attracts Butterflies; Native; Self Seeds; Showy Flowers; Showy Foliage; Showy Seed Heads
Bloom Time Summer
Flower Color Brown Flower; White Flower
Uses , Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Dried Flower, Naturalizing, Roadside, Specimen Plant/ Focal Point
Style , Meadow Garden
Seasonal Interest , Winter Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type ,Grasses

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