Little Bluestem 'Twilight Zone'
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407 South Pipeline Road East
Euless TX 76040
United States
+12148140932
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Twilight Zone'
Schizachyrium scoparium, commonly known as little bluestem, is a delightful type of grass that's native to North America. You'll find it thriving in prairies, fields, clearings, hills, limestone glades, roadsides, waste areas, and open woods, stretching from Alberta to Quebec and all the way down to Arizona and Florida. Little bluestem typically grows to a height of 2-4 feet, showcasing slender, flat, linear green leaves that transform into a beautiful bronze-orange in the fall. In August, it brings forth stunning purplish-bronze flowers, followed by fluffy, silvery-white seed heads that are not only attractive but often stick around into winter—a wonderful feature for your landscape. Plus, many species of birds enjoy feasting on its seeds, making it a great addition for wildlife-friendly gardens.
The ‘Twilight Zone’ variety truly stands out among Little Bluestems with its shimmering, silvery mauve hues that appear in midsummer. These charming pastel tones become even more vibrant in the fall when bright purple highlights make their appearance. With its full, upright, columnar shape, which is about half as wide as it is tall, it fits perfectly alongside other perennials, especially those with lovely blue-green or silvery foliage. Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Twilight Zone’ loves basking in full sun and flourishes in well-drained, dry-to-average soils. It’s an excellent choice for those harsh, dry spots that can be tricky to plant—an eye-catching solution for problem areas! It’s also a robust performer in southern gardens.
Like its fellow little bluestems, it plays a crucial role in supporting pollinators and providing winter food, nesting material, and cover for birds. This variety was introduced by Walters Gardens in Zeeland, MI, and propagation is strictly prohibited to maintain its beauty.
On average, little bluestem is a joy to grow as it thrives with dry to medium moisture levels and well-drained soil under the warm sun. It adapts well to various soil conditions, including clay soils and occasional flooding, and it shines in poorer soils with impressive drought resistance once established. This resilient plant is also tolerant of high heat and humidity. To keep it looking its best and avoid flopping later in the season, it’s ideal to plant in full sun and trim it back to the ground in late winter to early spring, preparing it for another wonderful show next season.
Height: 3’-4’
Spread: 1.5’-2’
Bloom: August-February
Light: Full sun
Water: Dry, Medium
Zone: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Origin: Canada to Mexico
Spring Shipping:
Orders are shipped within 7-10 business days. We will email you if there are expected delays.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
