- Indiana Natives
- >
- Blue Stem - Little (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Blue Stem - Little (Schizachyrium scoparium)
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 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. The grass gets fluffy white seed heads that also adds seasonal interest. Some gardeners choose to remove the seed fluff to control the spread of young seedlings.
Sun Exposure - Full, Partial
Soil Moisture - Medium, Medium-Dry, Dry
Height - 3 feet
Bloom Time - July, August, September, October
Bloom Color - Green, Blue
Photo courtesy of Prairie Moon Nursery.