Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem Grass

Name: Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem Grass
Brand: Nature Hills Nursery
SKU: 22822
Price: 43.64 USD
Availability: InStock

Schizachyrium scoparium 'Ha Ha Tonka' PP32374

Nature Hills Nursery

$43⁶⁴

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In Stock

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Plant Size

#1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This grass needs at least 6 to 8 hours of full, direct sun daily to maintain its upright structure. While it survives in partial shade, the stems will likely flop over or lose that signature "blue" hue in the foliage.
Soil: It thrives in lean, well drained soil and actually prefers "tough" spots over rich, loamy garden beds. If you have heavy clay, plant it on a slight mound or add fine gravel to the planting hole to prevent the roots from sitting in soggy soil.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water your Little Bluestem deeply twice a week to help the roots reach deep into the soil profile. Once the plant is established, it is exceptionally drought tolerant and usually relies on natural rainfall alone. Avoid overwatering mature plants, as too much moisture causes the tall stems to become weak and fall over.

Pruning Tips

This grass is a warm season grower that provides great winter interest, so wait until late winter or early spring to cut it back. Use shears to trim the entire clump down to about 3 inches above the ground before new green blades appear. Think of this like a "reset button" that clears out the dead debris so the new growth has plenty of light and room to emerge.

Fertilizer Needs

Skip the heavy fertilizers and stick to a single application of a balanced, slow release formula in early spring. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers in the summer because they force the grass to grow too fast, resulting in "lazy" stems that cannot support their own weight. A light layer of compost around the base is usually all this native grass needs to stay healthy.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 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 Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem Grass: Blue Beauty

Meet Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Ha Ha Tonka')—a true native prairie gem!. This rugged, upright clumping ornamental grass shows off silvery blue blades through the summer, then puts on a dazzling fall show with copper, burgundy, and mahogany tones!

Form-wise, Ha Ha Tonka stands about a foot tall and spreads up to 20 inches wide, making a tidy vertical accent in the garden. The blades are narrow and fine-textured, forming a tight clump that stays upright even in wind or rain.

In late summer, it sends up wispy flower stalks with delicate silvery seed heads that shimmer in the sun and persist well into winter. Those seeds are a buffet for overwintering songbirds, so don't rush to cut it back.

A cultivar of our beloved native Little Bluestem, it's ideal for low-maintenance, naturalistic landscapes and anywhere you want to bring a bit of prairie soul. The cultivar Ha Ha Tonka is named for the iconic Missouri state park, where rugged limestone cliffs and open meadows mirror this grass's wild beauty. Drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and a haven for birds, it's a gardener's delight from root to plume!

Key Features

Native cultivar with upright, clumping growth habit
Silvery blue blades in summer, coppery-red fall color
Airy seed heads attract birds and pollinators
Drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, low maintenance
Grows 12 inches tall and 18-20 inches wide
Hardy in USDA zones 3–10

Landscaping Uses

Little Bluestem is all about resilience and natural elegance. It's a cousin to other warm-season bunchgrasses and fits beautifully into any eco-conscious or native-friendly garden design.

This compact ornamental grass brings bold vertical structure and multi-season interest to any garden. With its manageable 12 inch height and 18-20 inch wide spread, it's perfect for smaller spaces or massed in larger designs.

Prairie or meadow plantings
Native or wildlife-friendly gardens
Xeriscaping and dry slopes
Mixed borders with perennials
Winter interest plantings
Naturalistic groupings or mass plantings
Tidy yet wild container plantings

Care and Maintenance

It thrives in USDA Planting Zones 3–10, tolerates poor, rocky, or sandy soil, and handles hot, dry summers with ease. Native to North America, Little Bluestem grows across most of the U.S. and is a vital part of tallgrass prairie ecosystems.

As a warm-season, clumping grass, Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem is as easy-going as they come. It loves the sun, shrugs off drought, and thrives where others fail—poor soil? Bring it on. Humid? No sweat. Just give it space to shine!

Planting Time: Spring or early fall. Read how to plant Grasses here!
Sun Needs: Full sun (at least 6 hours daily)
Soil Needs: Well-drained soil; thrives in sandy, rocky, or clay conditions with decent drainage
Moisture Needs: Dry to average once established
Mulch: Use a 3–4 inch layer of bark chips or arborist mulch to suppress weeds and conserve moisture
Fertilization Needs: Rarely needed; a light compost top-dress in spring boosts vigor
Pruning Info: Cut back old growth to a few inches in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges
Renewal Pruning: Not necessary, but dividing every 3–4 years can rejuvenate dense clumps
Special Perks/Growing Tips:

Extremely cold-hardy
Heat and drought tolerant
Deer/rabbit resistant
Tolerates poor and compacted soil
Ideal for erosion control

Division Info: Divide in early spring if clumps become too dense or to propagate

Grassroots Greatness: Plant the Prairie Spirit

Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem brings a whisper of the wild to every garden bed. With bold color shifts, airy seed heads, and blue-toned blades that blush red in fall, it's the epitome of prairie chic. Whether you're filling a native meadow, designing a wildlife haven, or just need a no-fuss ornamental with charisma, this grass delivers.

Buy now and Nature Hills will ship at the appropriate planting time for your growing zone.

Botanical Name

Schizachyrium scoparium 'Ha Ha Tonka' PP32374
Class
- Poales
Species

scoparium
Cultivar

Ha Ha Tonka
Growing Zones

5-10
Height

2-4 ft
Width

2-4 ft
Sunlight
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- Pink
Leaf Color
- Blue
- Green
- Red
- Orange
- Purple
Fall Color

Red, Orange
Native

Yes
Bloom Period

Late Summer, Early Fall
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

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Growing Zones 5-10

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem invasive or does it spread aggressively?

Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem forms tight, non-spreading clumps that stay put in your garden. This well-behaved native grows just 12 inches tall and 18-20 inches wide, maintaining its upright form without runners or aggressive spreading. Plant with confidence in zones 3-10 for controlled, naturalistic beauty.

What are the light requirements for planting Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem?

Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem thrives in full sun, needing at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and color development. This native prairie grass tolerates partial sun but may become less upright and show reduced fall color in shadier spots. Plant in the sunniest location available at naturehills.com for best results.

What type of soil does Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem prefer, and what pH level?

Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem thrives in well-draining soil and tolerates a wide pH range from slightly acidic to alkaline (6.0-8.0). As a drought-tolerant native prairie grass, it actually prefers lean, rocky, or sandy soils over rich garden soil. Plant it in poor to average soil conditions for best performance.

How much water does Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem need after establishment?

Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem is exceptionally drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal watering. This native prairie grass thrives on natural rainfall in zones 3-10. Water only during extended dry periods in the first year, then let it rely on its natural drought resistance.

Is Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem deer resistant?

Yes, Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem is deer resistant, making it an excellent choice for areas with heavy deer pressure. This native cultivar's tough, narrow blades are naturally unappealing to browsing deer. Plant it confidently in open areas where deer frequent, available at naturehills.com.

What are the care requirements in winter, like cutting back?

Don't rush to cut back Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem in fall since the seed heads provide food for overwintering songbirds. The silvery plumes also add winter interest to the garden. Wait until late winter or early spring to cut back to 2-3 inches above ground level.

Can Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem be grown in containers?

Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem grows well in containers with its compact 12-inch height and tidy clumping habit. Choose a pot at least 18 inches wide to accommodate its spread. Use well-draining soil and place in full sun for best blue color and fall display.

Does Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem reseed or self-propagate?

Ha Ha Tonka Little Bluestem produces seeds in late summer that can self-sow naturally, though it's not typically aggressive about spreading. The silvery seed heads attract birds who may scatter seeds to new areas. Allow seed heads to remain through winter for wildlife, then cut back in early spring if you want to control reseeding.