Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a striking native bunchgrass prized for its ornamental value and wildlife benefits. This hardy grass forms dense mounds of fine-textured, blue-green foliage, reaching up to 2 feet in height, with slender stems that grow to 5 feet by late summer. In the fall, the plant transforms to a radiant mahogany-red with fluffy, white seed tufts, maintaining color through winter. Little Bluestem’s seeds attract small birds, while its dense growth provides cover and nesting material, making it ideal for ecological and aesthetic landscapes.
Scientific Name: Schizachyrium scoparium
Origin: Across much of the U.S. east of the Rockies, from Quebec and Maine south to Texas and into Mexico
Height: 18 to 24 inches, stems reaching up to 5 feet
Spread: Clumping habit, up to 1 foot wide
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Low
Blooms: June to December
USDA Zones: 3-10
