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Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)

Schizachyrium scoparium, (Little Bluestem) in June
Solid joints (nodes) with hollow internodes and leaf sheath open in front of Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)
Schizachyrium scoparium, Little Bluestem in July landscape. Photo © 2018 Elaine Mills
Close up of Schizachyrium scoparium, (Little Bluestem) leaves in September. Photo © 2018 Elaine Mills
Schizachyrium scoparium, Little Bluestem at the National Arboretum in October.
Spicate racemes of Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)
Schizachyrium scoparium, (Little Bluestem) in October
Schizachyrium scoparium, (Little Bluestem) seed heads in October

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Schizachyrium scoparium Little Bluestem Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Common throughout Virginia and some of the Mid-Atlantic Region,* native Little Bluestem gives a brilliant landscape performance. Tight, erect, spiky bluish-green stems and leaves transition to a sizzling fall display of oranges, reds, yellows and purplish-browns topped by fluffy seed heads that persist into winter. Grass / Sedge Summer Foliage, Racemes, Fall Foliage Height: 11⁄2–4 feet Spread: 11⁄2–2 feet Bloom Color: Purplish-bronze Characteristics Clumping, erect, ornamental perennial grass Slender, often folded, linear, light blue or green leaves alternate on reddish or tan culms (stems); sheaths w/ long V-shaped opening; swollen, purplish nodes Fertile culms terminate in 1–3” long, ascending racemes of paired spikelets (one fertile sessile and one sterile on pedicel) from June–October Fluffy, silvery-white seed heads July–November Bronze to rust fall color persists through winter Reseeds; cespitose but may spread by short rhizomes Attributes Tolerates clay soil, poor soil, shade (somewhat), drought (extremely well), air pollution, and Black Walnut; intolerant of wetlands and flooding; no serious pests or diseases; deer rarely damage Winter interest Attracts birds to its seeds, especially in winter; larval host to ~7 skippers; wildlife cover Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained soil Excellent Replacement for Agropyron cristatum - Crested Wheatgrass Light Requirements: Sun Bambusa, Phyllostachys, Pseudosasa - Bamboo Water Requirements: Dry Cut to ground in late winter to early spring Use as an accent or en masse in borders, meadow gardens, naturalized landscapes, or steep slopes Festuca arundinacea - Tall Fescue Miscanthus sinensis - Chinese Silver Grass Pennisetum alopecuroides - Fountain Grass * Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium is native in DC and common throughout DE and VA. It is found mostly in MD’s Coastal Plain and the south in PA. Hardiness: USDA Zones 3a–9b developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Mary Free, Sunny Garden

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
 for the Mid-Atlantic

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Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)

Common throughout Virginia and some of the Mid-Atlantic Region,* native Little Bluestem gives a brilliant landscape performance. Tight, erect, spiky bluish-green stems and leaves transition to a sizzling fall display of oranges, reds, yellows and purplish-browns topped by fluffy seed heads that persist into winter.

* Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium is native in DC and common throughout DE and VA. It is found mostly in MD’s Coastal Plain and the south of PA. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets