Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Prairie Blues'
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150 - $198.99 | $24.99 |
| $199+ | FREE |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Plant Profile & Growing Essentials
Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Native, Fall Color/Interest, Deer-resistant, Slopes/Erosion Control, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, and Non-invasive
Specifications
Specifications
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Botanical Name
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Height
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Width
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Growing Zones
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Sunlight
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Growth RateModerate
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Flower Color
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Leaf Color
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Fall Color
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NativeYes
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Pollinator FriendlyYes
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Pollinator Required
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Bloom PeriodLate Summer, Early Fall
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Does Not Ship ToAK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA
Planting & Care Instructions
Planting & Care Instructions
Growing Zones 4-10
The improved form of the hardy native Little Bluestem Grass, Prairie Blues Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Prairie Blues') will knock your socks off! Already one of the most prevalent native grasses in the eastern United States this new cultivar displays consistent grey-blue, ribbon-like foliage that takes on hues of orange and red as the season transitions to autumn!
This warm-season grass may take its sweet time getting going in the spring, but watch out once the weather warms up! The sturdy, narrow stems with an upright habit of Prairie Blues thrives in parched areas! This selection is a great choice if you are looking to restore an eroded site, or for a plant that will grow in hot, dry areas where other plants have a hard time surviving!
Prairie Blues is deer resistant and attracts birds that like to shelter in grasses and feast on the seeds! Prairie Blues is a must-have for any sun garden! The columnar growth reaches 3-4 feet in height when in bloom, but only takes up 15-24 inches of space!
Planting and Application:
Ornamental Grasses play an important role in garden design. Hardy backdrops, structure, and the 'bones' of the landscape, Grasses also add motion, texture, and winter interest anywhere in the sun! And we mean anywhere - Growing throughout USDA growing zones 4 to 10!
The great features of Prairie Blues are its blue-green foliage, and its incredible fall color, which is a great addition to any design! Melding into formal and informal garden plans, Rock Gardens, small-space gardens and even container gardens beautifully!
- Grey Blue Foliage in Summer
- Upright & Columnar Growth
- Highly Adaptable Warm-Season Grass
- Foliage Turns Orange-Red in Autumn
- Screening, Backdrops, En Masse, Containers & Sun Gardens
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Little Bluestem Prairie Blues is a vigorous, long-lived native selection. Because of the ease of care, drought tolerance, winter beauty, and the way it adjusts to various soils and climates, the combination makes it a very hardy plant indeed! Little Bluestem does best in well-drained soil with full sun. You don't have to pamper this pretty grass because it does well in almost any well-drained soil. Minimal moisture is needed once established. It does well when cut back heavily in late winter or early spring and appreciates being divided every 3-5 years to maintain vigor.
- Loves Sun, Heat, and Dry Soil
- Average to Low Moisture & Well-Drained Soil
- Very Low Maintenance
- Prune Early Spring
- Very Heat & Cold Hardy & Drought-Tolerant
Spring and summer cool tones become autumns hot tones with the Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass! Hurry and order this space-saving Ornamental native selection, available now at NatureHills.com!
