Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Andropogoneae
Grass Category
Native Prairie Grass, Ornamental Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common native (non-cultivar); typical of wild populations with blue-green and reddish summer hues.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9. Extreme cold and heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns bronze after the first hard frost.
About This Grass
An upright, clump-forming grass reaching 2-4 feet at maturity. Noted for its color shifts from blue-green in summer to bronze-orange or reddish-purple in fall. Inflorescence consists of fuzzy white seed heads in late summer.
Blade Characteristics
Medium width (approx. 3-6mm), flat or slightly folded, pointed tips. Color ranges from glaucous blue-green to deep burgundy. Folded vernation, small membranous ligule with hairs, auricles absent. Bases of culms often distinctly flattened and reddish.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending 5-8 feet deep. Very low thatch tendency. Once established, provides exceptional drought tolerance and soil stabilization.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to North America; widespread across the Great Plains and Eastern United States.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); non-spreading, forms dense individual tufts.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); low water needs; high drought tolerance. Prefers well-drained soils, thrives in lean or poor soils; pH adaptable (5.5-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Maintenance: Very Low. For ornamental use, cut back to 2-4 inches in late winter. Not intended for regular lawn mowing; frequent low mowing will kill the clump.
Special Characteristics
High deer resistance, excellent salt tolerance, high drought recovery. Not suitable for foot traffic due to bunching habit. Outstanding winter interest and structural integrity in snow.
Ecological Information
Native powerhouse; larval host for several Skipper butterfly species. Provides nesting material and winter cover for birds and small mammals. Seeds are a food source for songbirds. Excellent for prairie restoration.