Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

Little Bluestem hardly needs an introduction—this iconic native grass is a cornerstone of Midwestern prairies and a favorite in modern naturalistic gardens. It brings year round beauty, structure, and movement to any sunny garden; from the most formal to the most wild, little bluestem has a place. In summer, its upright, slender blue-green stems form tidy clumps that sway in the breeze. As the season shifts, the foliage transforms to a rich copper, russet, and burgundy in fall, then standing tall with silvery seed heads through winter. Easy to grow and highly adaptable, it thrives in dry, lean soils and offers essential habitat value without ever looking messy. Whether planted in rows, drifts, or scattered through a prairie mix, it's easy to see why this grass is so popular and beloved. 

Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Soil: Dry to medium; grows well in sandy, loamy, or rocky soils
Height: 2–4 feet
Spread: 1–2 feet
Zones: 3–9
Bloom time: August through October (ornamental seed heads and fall color follow flowering)

Wildlife Value
Little Bluestem is a host plant for several skipper butterflies, including the Cobweb Skipper (Hesperia metea), Dusted Skipper (Atrytonopsis hianna), and Leonard’s Skipper (Hesperia leonardus), all native to Wisconsin. It also provides cover and nesting material for beneficial insects, and its seeds feed small birds such as finches and sparrows in fall and winter.

Blooms Alongside:  rough blazing star (Liatris aspera), sky blue aster (Symphyotrichum oolentangiense), aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium),stiff goldenrod (Solidago rigida)