Little Bluestem Grass

Prairie grass is often overlooked for gardeners and growers looking to add some spice to their growing area. However, the natural beauty of the tallgrass prairies native to this country is not to be underestimated.

Take for instance the Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium). This blue-green tallgrass is one of many native types of grass capable of adding beauty and use to your garden beds!

This prairie perennial grass has gained popularity over the years, and has picked up a few endearing nicknames. Among these fond names are Turkeyfoot Grass and Bearded Grass!

This hardy perennial grass is well known for its silvery-blue coloration. This silver blue lasts from spring, when its growth is renewed, to late summer before frost starts to set in.

The fall brings a twist to this grass' beauty, shifting colors from silvery tones to earthy tan and mahogany brown. The colder season also brings with it new flair in the form of feathery white seed heads waving in the autumn breeze.

Little Bluestem Grass is a welcome addition to your garden for local wildlife! While largely pest-resistant, pollinators and birds will both benefit from the food this native plant provides.

This prairie native has also grown accustomed to harsh, dry weather conditions over the decades. This combined with a knack for surviving in nearly completely infertile soil makes for an excellent solution to soil erosion in your growing area.

Look to add the survivable and attractive nature of the Little Bluestem Grass to your garden this growing season. This dependable plant is available now here at Nature Hills!

How to Use Little Bluestem Grass in the Landscape

This clustered grass has a good habit of growing tightly upwards, which means containers can help to maximize this plant's beauty potential. Scatter several of these for a textured additive to a porch or patio lounge space, or use them to flank an entrance for a warm welcome.

This grass blooms later than most plants, making for a source of food for birds at a more troubling time of the year plus cover and nesting. The addition of Little Bluestem Grass in your yard will benefit local wildlife as well! Small mammals and birds can use the dense foliage as protection from predators and harsh weather, and they can also use the seeds for food while ignoring the plant itself.

The naturally spreading nature of this perennial grass makes it a perfect fit for mass plantings. Use many of these along paths to make for an attractively rugged border whose outline will change with the seasons.

Scatter a few tufts of your Little Bluestem Grass amid other prairie grasses or shrubs to make a great mixed border. The added texture of this perennial grass will surely accent well with the rest of your chosen border plants.

The coppery autumn tones of the grass's foliage last well into winter. Use this to your advantage when deciding on placement for your perennial grass to add much-needed color during the cold winter months. This warm-season grass will green up later in the spring but thrive in the heat of summer.

The dense foliage of the Little Bluestem Grass grows just over 2 to 3 feet tall when healthy, giving it potential as a backdrop to other plants in your garden.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Your Little Bluestem Grass will start to curl as it ages and matures, but as it gets longer cutting may be necessary. Wait until early spring before cutting this prairie grass nearly to the ground so as to make way for new growth without getting rid of valuable winter bird food.

This plant is grown to last, with little disease susceptibility and few instances of pest issues. Even deer tend to give this grass a pass despite its previous use as food for livestock.

As the fall season deepens, bear in mind that the seed pods of this perennial grass have the potential to spread seeds far and wide, but your garden will see some of these take root. When spring arrives it will be easy to pluck any unwanted fledgling shoots from your growing area!

It is possible to decrease the spreading of seeds by clipping the seed pods before they mature. This may degrade the appearance of this grass, but with careful trimming either preference will still be a welcome addition to most gardens.

While your Little Bluestem Grass is first establishing itself in its new home it will be more thirsty than average. Be sure to moderately water your grass while it adjusts to your growing area before tapering off to once weekly if that.

This remarkably adaptable perennial grass can live and thrive in a wide variety of soil conditions. Infertile or fertile, clay or dirt, even bone dry soils make room for this lovely plant, but make sure that whatever soil you decide to use is well draining so you don't drown it.

The drought tolerance of this grass is so remarkable that the Little Bluestem Grass can exist in sun-baked plains and thrive with the dry air and constant full sun.

Keep an eye out for sun damage and excessive dryness in severe drought seasons, but a little water now and then should be all the help it needs.

A remarkable native plant with an assortment of benefits, the Little Bluestem Grass deserves a spot in your growing area. Order your own from us at Nature Hills today!