Little Bluestem 'Standing Ovation'
- Shipping Available
- In stock, ready to ship
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation'
Little Bluestem is a shortgrass native to North America. You'll find it gracing prairies, fields, clearings, hills, limestone glades, roadsides, waste areas, and open woods.
One special cultivar is ‘Standing Ovation,’ which features striking blue leaf blades with red tips. Its leaf blades are broader than those found on typical straight-species plants, adding to its unique appeal. In the fall, it dazzles with attractive shades of red and maroon that stay vibrant late into the season—no dull browns here! This cultivar boasts an upright and sturdy growth habit, remaining resilient even in rich soils. Discovered as a natural whole plant mutation in Landenberg, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 2003, its parentage remains a bit of a mystery, though ‘The Blues’ is considered a likely parent. It received U.S. Plant Patent PP25,202 on December 30, 2014.
On average, growing little bluestem in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil under full sun is quite simple. It adapts well to various soil conditions, including clay soils and occasional flooding. Remarkably, it thrives in poorer soils and showcases excellent drought resistance once established. This grass is also tolerant of high heat and humidity. To keep it looking its best and prevent flopping late in the season, it's best to plant it in full sun and give it a good cut back to the ground in late winter to early spring. Like its fellow little bluestems, it plays a crucial role in supporting pollinators and providing winter food, nesting material, and cover for birds.
Height: 3’-4’
Spread: 1.5’-2’
Bloom: August-February
Light: Full-Sun
Water: Low-Medium
Zone: 3-9
Origin: Cultivar/North America
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.
