Schizachyrium scoparium, commonly known as Little Bluestem, is a native warm season bunchgrass prized for its blue green summer foliage that turns a rich copper and burgundy in fall.
Height & Spread: 24 - 36 in x 12 - 18 in
Bloom Time: Late summer
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Dry to medium, well drained soils
Watering Needs: Low; drought tolerant once established
Deer Resistance: Deer resistant
Native Status
This species is native to most of North America and is a foundational grass of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Supports caterpillars of butterflies such as the Dusted Skipper, Indian Skipper, and Cobweb Skipper.
Birds
- Provides nesting material and shelter for songbirds such as sparrows, and seeds are eaten by birds including juncos and finches.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 12 - 18 in apart for upright clumps with airflow to prevent lodging.
Landscape Placement:
- Excellent in prairie restorations, naturalistic borders, and dry meadows. Adds fall color and vertical structure to low maintenance landscapes.
Companion Plants
- Echinacea pallida (Pale Purple Coneflower) - Offers summer blooms and taproots that thrive in dry conditions.
- Liatris spicata (Blazing Star) - Adds spikes of purple and blooms that attract pollinators.
- Ratibida pinnata (Yellow Coneflower) - Provides height and cheerful color in open plantings.
- Allium cernuum (Nodding Onion) - Complements the grass with nodding blooms and fine foliage.
- Solidago nemoralis (Gray Goldenrod) - Finishes the season with golden flowers and supports late pollinators.