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Little Bluestem

Botanical Name
Schizachyrium scoparium
Min Zone
3
Max Zone
9
Height
to to 4 feet
Width
18 to 24 inches
Flowers
Late summer to early fall: pinkish white
Fall Color
Orange to bronze to reddish
Light
Full sun
Soil
Dry to medium, well-drained
Planting & Care
  • Space plants 2 feet apart
  • Avoid over-fertilizing, plants tend to flop over when they receive excessive nitrogen or are grown in nutrient-rich soils
  • Poor growth in wet, poorly drained soils
Problems
None serious
Varieties
  • Blaze - 2 to 3 feet tall, upright form, blue-green foliage has red, mixed with purple and orange fall color
  • Blue Heaven - 4 feet tall, steel blue leaves change to burgundy, pink and orange in fall
  • Carousel - Compact 36 inches tall, blue green foliage turns a mix of mahogany, copper and pink in fall
  • Jazz - 3 feet tall, purple fall color
  • Prairie Blues - 3 feet tall, blue-gray foliage turns red-orange in fall
  • The Blues - 3 feet tall, blue foliage has red accents, fall color is a mix of purple, orange and blue

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