A small, non-spreading, clump-forming grass with blue-green leaves that turn reddish orange in the fall. Fluffy silver seed heads are ornamental through winter.
Native Plant Database
Callicarpa americana. Photo: Mervin Wallace
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Plant Type:
Native Environment: Prairie
Season of Interest: Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: Blue, Green
Fall Color:
Hardy From Zone:
Hardy To Zone:
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate
Nature Attracting
Wildlife Benefit
Cover
Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant
Size
Height:
24 to
36
inches
Spread:
12 to
inches
Size
Height: 24 to
36
inches
Spread: 12 to
inches
Size
Height: 24 to
36
inches
Spread: 12 to
inches
Typical Landscape Use
This is an excellent short grass for the garden. Use freely in sunny borders, native plant gardens, naturalized areas, prairies and meadows. Excellent in massed plantings. Provides food and cover for wildlife.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grow in dry to moderate soil moisture in full sun. Tolerates heat and humidity easily.
Special Features
Special Usage
Fresh Cut Flower, Dried Flower
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.