Prairie Winds Blue Paradise Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blue Paradise'
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Prairie Winds Blue Paradise Little Bluestem - Quart Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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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+ | $24.99 |
✓ 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 Highlights
Prairie Winds Blue Paradise Little Bluestem highlights at a glance!
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Brand
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Plant Class
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Botanical Name
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Characteristics
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Suitable Space
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Growing Zones3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateModerate
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Flower Color
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Fall Color
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodSummer, Fall
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NativeYes
Growing Zones 3-9
Prairie Winds® Blue Paradise Little Bluestem | Nature Hills
Prairie Winds® Blue Paradise Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blue Paradise') brings the prairie home with its striking silvery blue stems, upright columnar habit, and rich wine-purple fall tones! This native warm-season grass is a Proven Winners® selection that thrives across much of the United States. Withstanding heat, humidity, and drought, it’s a low-maintenance beauty that dances gracefully in every summer breeze.
This improved cultivar of our native Little Bluestem takes texture and color to new heights. Its upright stems shimmer in the sunlight and transition to deep burgundy and purple in fall. The fine foliage provides movement, contrast, and all-season interest in any landscape design. This grass stands out beautifully in both naturalistic plantings and modern gardens.
Native to North American prairies and grasslands, Schizachyrium scoparium has long been valued for erosion control, wildlife cover, and sustainable landscapes. It belongs to the Poaceae family, a close relative to other ornamental grasses like Switchgrass and Side Oats Grama.
>>Jump to Planting & Care Instructions
Key Features
- Native warm-season ornamental grass
- Silvery blue stems with columnar growth
- Gorgeous wine-purple fall color
- Handles heat, humidity, and drought
- Ideal for mass plantings and erosion control
- Excellent vertical accent or container "thriller"
- Proven Winners® tested performance
- Low-maintenance and long-lived perennial
Landscaping Uses
Use Prairie Winds® Blue Paradise Little Bluestem anywhere you want upright form, motion, and four-season beauty. Growing 3–4 feet tall, it makes a natural backdrop or specimen grass that draws the eye in any setting.
- Accent plant or vertical focal point in borders
- Mass plantings for texture and color contrast
- Container gardens and patio decor
- Erosion control for slopes and embankments (learn more)
- Prairie, pollinator, and native garden designs
- Mixed with Rock Gardens or modern minimalist landscapes
Care & Maintenance
Prairie Winds® Blue Paradise is hardy in USDA Zones 3–9 and is an easy-care herbaceous perennial ornamental grass. It’s drought-tolerant once established, thrives in full sun, and performs best in well-drained soils.
- Planting Time: Spring or early fall for best establishment
- Sun Requirements: Full sun (6+ hours daily)
- Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained soils; tolerates poor, sandy, or rocky sites
- Moisture Needs: Water regularly during the first growing season; use the Finger Test to check soil moisture
- Mulch: Apply a 3–4 inch layer of organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds (read why)
- Fertilization: Feed with compost or a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring
- Pruning: Cut back to 4 inches before new spring growth; warm-season grasses green up later, so be patient
- Special Perks: Deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, heat- and humidity-hardy, and a top choice for xeric and pollinator-friendly gardens
Don’t forget to order your Nature Hills Root Booster for lifelong root health and establishment success!
Color, Texture & Native Toughness You’ll Love
With silvery summer tones and Cabernet-red fall hues, this grass delivers nonstop visual drama and texture. Prairie Winds® Blue Paradise Little Bluestem is proof that native plants can be both tough and beautiful. Order now from Nature Hills and bring this four-season showstopper home today!
FAQs
Is Prairie Winds® Blue Paradise Little Bluestem native?
Yes! It’s a cultivated selection of the North American native Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), bred for improved color and upright form.
Does Blue Paradise Little Bluestem need full sun?
Absolutely. This is a sun-loving grass that thrives with at least 6 hours of direct light daily.
When should I cut back Little Bluestem?
Prune back old foliage in late winter or early spring before new shoots emerge.
Is Blue Paradise drought-tolerant?
Yes, once established. Water new plants regularly in their first year to help them develop deep roots.
Can I grow Blue Paradise in containers?
Yes! Its upright form makes a fantastic "thriller" in large patio pots and entryway planters.
