Schizachyrium scoparium, commonly known as little bluestem, is a type of grass native to North America. It is found in prairies, fields, clearings, hills, limestone glades, roadsides, waste areas, and open woods from Alberta to Quebec, 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.
'Prairie Blues' is a cultivar of Schizachyrium scoparium that is grown for its foliage. It has consistently gray-blue leaves, unlike the species. The plant grows to a height of 3-3.5 feet and has a width of 1.5-2 feet. In the fall, it produces fluffy silver seed heads that may persist into winter and rosy-orange foliage.
It is easy to grow little bluestem on average, with dry to medium moisture and well-drained soil in full sun. The plant tolerates various soil conditions, including clay soils and occasional inundation. It performs well in poor soils and has good drought resistance once established. The plant is also tolerant of high heat and humidity. To avoid 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.
