Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) is a beautiful warm-season native grass that provides multi-seasonal interest in all garden settings. Whether it is used as an accent plant, or a mass planting in a larger area or even as textural contrast in a mixed perennial garden bed, Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) is a strong performer year after year. This plant is also a regular feature in prairies and wildflower meadows giving cover and food to wildlife there.

Summer brings clumps of slender, blue-green leaves that rise upright about 2-3 feet in the ‘Standing Ovation’ variety. As summer ends, hues of purple, blue, red and orange begin to show among with the greens of this beautiful, upright grass. Inconspicuous flowers emerge at this time as well, rising on tall, 3-4 foot stems that last through the winter bringing both seasonal interest and seeds for the birds.

There are many varieties of Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem). Hoffman Nursery is a grower that specializes in these grasses. They have a pdf available that compares the different varieties of this grass. Here is the link to their comparison chart pdf: https://hoffmannursery.com/assets/files/files/Hoffman_Nursery_Little_Bluestem_Chart.pdf