About little bluestem
Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a native North American prairie bunchgrass with fine-textured foliage that forms dense, upright clumps. Its stem bases often show a blue tinge in spring, summer foliage ranges from blue-green to gray-green, and fall brings rich copper, orange, red or burgundy tones that last well into winter. Fluffy silvery seed heads add to the show and feed small birds.
The wild species is tough and adaptable. It is a plant of dry, lean, well-drained ground, is highly drought tolerant once established, resists deer, and will not tolerate wet or boggy sites. Because the plain species reseeds readily and can sprawl, many gardeners prefer named cultivars selected for stronger color and a more upright habit. Little bluestem was also named a Perennial Plant of the Year in 2022.
Cultivar guide
Heights and colors vary with climate, soil and source, so treat the figures as approximate and check the tag or grower information for the plant you buy.
- ‘The Blues’: one of the best-known selections, with light blue summer foliage that turns coppery orange or burgundy in fall. It is often described as about 2 to 3 feet tall in foliage and taller in bloom.
- ‘Blaze’: noted for vivid fall color, moving from blue-green through purple highlights to shades of pink, orange and red. It forms an erect, broom-like clump roughly 2 to 3 feet tall.
- ‘Blue Heaven’: developed at the University of Minnesota, taller at about 3 to 4 feet, with blue-gray foliage that turns deep purple-red and a strongly upright habit.
- ‘Standing Ovation’: blue leaves tipped with red, a stiff upright habit that resists flopping in rich soil, and bronze-orange fall color. It is commonly listed at 2 to 4 feet, sometimes more.
- ‘Twilight Zone’: a mix of silvery-blue, green and purplish tones in summer that deepen to ruby and burgundy in fall. It is a tall selection at roughly 4 feet.
- ‘Smoke Signal’: slender blue-green foliage that takes on scarlet then deeper red-purple tones, holding a strictly upright habit through fall.
- ‘Prairie Winds Blue Paradise’: very upright and columnar at about 3.5 feet, with silvery-blue summer stems turning wine-purple in fall.
- ‘Jazz’: a compact, multi-colored dwarf of about 1.5 to 2.5 feet, useful in small gardens and tight borders.
- ‘Carousel’: a dense, rounded mound that stays tidy through fall and winter, around 2 to 2.5 feet tall and wide.
- ‘Chameleon’: a variegated type with green and white striped foliage tinged pink and purple.
How to choose
- For the boldest fall color: ‘Blaze’, ‘Standing Ovation’ and ‘Twilight Zone’ are popular picks. For other grasses that color up in autumn, see ornamental grasses for fall color.
- For strong upright form and less flopping: ‘Blue Heaven’, ‘Standing Ovation’, ‘Smoke Signal’ and ‘Blue Paradise’.
- For small gardens or front edges: ‘Jazz’ or ‘Carousel’. See also good ornamental grasses for the front of your house.
- For the bluest summer foliage: ‘The Blues’ and ‘Blue Heaven’. Other options are in blue ornamental grasses.
- For a naturalistic meadow look: the species or a mix of cultivars can work, as long as you accept some reseeding.
Growing tips
- Sun: Plant in full sun. Part shade is tolerated, but plants tend to be looser and the color less intense.
- Soil: Lean, well-drained soil is best. Heavy, rich or heavily fertilized soil makes the stems grow too fast and flop (see why ornamental grasses flop over). Skip the fertilizer.
- Watering: Water regularly in the first season, then rarely. Wet ground is the main danger.
- Cutting back: Cut the old foliage down to a few inches in late winter or early spring, just before the new green shoots emerge.
- Dividing: Divide in early spring if clumps become crowded or thin in the center.
- Seedlings: Cultivars may self-sow modestly. Remove unwanted seedlings if you do not want them, since seedlings may not look like the parent.
Related reading
Little bluestem is one of many options for tough, sun-loving beds. See the wider overview of drought-tolerant ornamental grasses for dry sunny gardens, or pair it with pink muhly grass for a layered fall display. Blue fescue is a smaller blue alternative; see why blue fescue dies in the center and how to fix it.