Schizachyrium scoparium 'Sandhill' is a graceful native ornamental grass with slender blue green blades that take on vibrant shades of red, purple, and bronze in the fall. This warm season grass is highly drought tolerant and forms airy clumps topped with delicate seed heads that sway attractively in the breeze. It provides year round interest with its persistent winter stems adding texture and movement to the landscape.
Height & Spread: 24 - 36 in x 12 - 18 in
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Well drained soil; tolerates sandy and rocky sites
Watering Needs: Low once established; drought tolerant
Deer Resistance: Generally deer resistant due to coarse foliage
Native Status
Schizachyrium scoparium is native to much of North America, commonly found in prairies and open meadows, and is an important component of native grassland ecosystems.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Supports native bee populations indirectly by providing habitat and shelter for pollinator nesting sites.
Butterflies
- Serves as a larval host plant for several skipper butterflies including the Dusted Skipper and Leonard’s Skipper.
Birds
- Seeds are eaten by small songbirds like finches and sparrows, while clumps provide winter cover for ground feeding species.
Beneficial Insects
- Creates habitat for predatory insects and overwintering beneficial beetles and spiders.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Plant 18 - 24 in apart for mass plantings or as individual accent clumps.
Landscape Placement:
- Ideal for prairie style gardens, sunny borders, or naturalized plantings where its seasonal color can be appreciated in groups.
Companion Plants
- Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' - Low mounding yellow blooms complement the upright fine textured blades.
- Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' - Another native grass with burgundy tinged foliage creates layered prairie compositions.
- Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' - Pink purple coneflowers add sturdy vertical accents and support pollinator activity.
- Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' - Bright golden coneflowers create a bold contrast with the airy seed heads of little bluestem.
- Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks' - Arching sprays of yellow flowers pair beautifully with the grass's late season color.