Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues'

Little Bluestem

The Blues Little Bluestem forms upright clumps of narrow blue leaves highlighted by red stems. Purple and orange tones develop among the blue foliage in autumn, giving the grass a changing display as the season ends.

The leafy clump reaches about two feet, with flowering stems rising to roughly three feet. Fine seedheads add texture above the foliage. Its modest size fits a small prairie planting, a rock garden or repeated groups along a sunny border.

Provide full sun and well-drained, relatively lean soil. Once established it tolerates drought. Too much shade, water or fertilizer can make the stems lean or fall outward.

Size
• Height: 2 ft

Hardiness
• USDA Zones: 3–9

Best Uses
• Border
• Rock Garden
• Prairie gardens mass planting
• Erosion Control

Plant type

Ornamental Grass, Perennial

Height

2 ft

Width

18-2"

Hardiness zones

3–9

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Early Fall

Leaf color

Blue

Fall color

Blue, Orange, Purple

Attracts

Butterflies

Soil

Dry Area, Well Drained

Landscape use

Border, Erosion Control, Prairie gardens mass planting, Rock Garden

Shape

Clumping, Upright

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Salt tolerant

No

Drought tolerant

Yes