Little Bluestem 'Prairie Blues'
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Schizachyrium scoparium 'Prairie Blues'
Schizachyrium scoparium, also known as little bluestem, is a type of grass native to North America. It can be found in various habitats such as prairies, fields, clearings, hills, limestone glades, roadsides, waste areas, and open woods across a wide geographic range, from Alberta to Quebec and Arizona to Florida. Little bluestem typically grows to a height of 2-4 feet and has slender, flat, linear green leaves that turn bronze-orange in the fall. In August, it produces purplish-bronze flowers followed by fluffy, silvery-white seed heads that are attractive and often persist into winter. Many species of birds feed on its seeds.
One notable cultivar of Schizachyrium scoparium is 'Prairie Blues,' cultivated for its distinctive gray-blue leaves. This cultivar grows to a height of 3-3.5 feet and a width of 1.5-2 feet. In the fall, it produces fluffy silver seed heads that may persist into winter, along with rosy-orange foliage.
Little bluestem is easy to grow under average conditions, requiring dry to medium moisture and well-drained soil in full sun. The plant can tolerate various soil conditions, including clay soils and occasional inundation. It thrives in poor soils and exhibits good drought resistance once established. Additionally, the plant is tolerant of high heat and humidity. To prevent flopping late in the season, it is best to plant it in full sun and cut it to the ground in late winter to early spring.
Height: 3’-3.5'
Spread: 1.5’-2'
Bloom: August-February
Light: Full sun
Water: Low, Medium
Zone: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Origin: Canada to Mexico
Winter Shipping: We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
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.
