Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium, affectionately known as little bluestem, beautifully graces prairies, fields, clearings, hills, limestone meadows, roadsides, waste areas, and open woods stretching from Alberta to Quebec to Arizona and Florida. Once a key player among the grasses of the tallgrass prairie region, it thrived on the rich and fertile soils found in many parts of central North America.

This lovely grass usually reaches a height of 2-4 feet (sometimes up to 5 feet) and showcases upright clumps of slender, flat, linear green leaves, each with a charming hint of blue at the base. In August, you'll be delighted by the appearance of purplish-bronze flowers that bloom in 3-inch-long racemes on branches gracefully rising above the foliage. These enchanting flowers give way to clusters of fluffy, silvery-white seed heads that are not only beautiful but often remain throughout the winter. Many gardeners especially admire this grass for its stunning bronze-orange foliage color in the fall, making it a true seasonal highlight.