Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

Plant Details:

Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Plant Family: Poaceae
Plant Description: One of the dominant grasses in the tallgrass prairie. Forms clumps of bright green leaves with a tinge of blue at the base. Purple to tan inflorescenses bloom in fall turning to whitish seed heads. The most outstanding feature is its fantastic red color in the fall. Very hardy and drought tolerant. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions.

Maintenance:

Maintenance Type: Ornamental Grass - Small
Plant Care: Ornamental Grass - Small (showy non-turf grasses that go dormant in winter, under 3' tall): Gather dried seed head stalks in one hand and use hand pruners to cut and remove 2/3 of the total grass height. For warm season grasses (more common), this is best done in late winter to early spring. For cool season grasses apply the same maintenance practices in the late fall, once the plant is dormant.

Plant Attributes:

Mature Size: 1-3' tall x 1' wide
Utah Native: Yes
Plant Select: No
Pollinator Friendly: Yes
Localscapes: Infill Plant
Foliage Interest: No
Foliage Colors: Green
Bloom Colors: Tan
Bloom Seasons: Late Summer
Bloom Period: Aug - Sep

Growing Conditions:

Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9
Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hrs sun)
Irrigation Requirement:     Low (1/2" every 10-14 days)
Salt Tolerant: Unknown
Deer Resistant: Yes

Garden Location:

  • Commercial Concepts
    • Education Center Plaza
    • Garden Entrance
    • South Property Line
  • Design Path
    • Design Ideas-West
    • Initial Analysis
    • Scene or Unseen
    • Winter Interest
  • Irrigation Path
    • Irrigation Hardware
  • Neighborhood Landscapes
    • A Desert with Altitude
    • Prudent Perennials
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall
  • Winter