Schizachyrium scoparium 'Little Bluestem'

Schizachyrium scoparium, commonly known as Little Bluestem is a native, warm-season, perennial grass that is commonly found in North America. It is characterized by its blue-green leaves, which turn red, orange, and purple in the fall. It produces spikes of small, greenish-purple flowers that form seed heads in the fall. The seed heads are distinctive, resembling a broom or a tuft of hair, and are an important food source for wildlife, including birds and small mammals.  

It prefers well-drained soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH and can tolerate both dry and moist soils. In terms of sunlight, Little Bluestem can grow in full sun to partial shade, although it may be lusher and have a more upright growth habit in full sun. This species is also able to tolerate drought conditions and can be found in both dry and wet habitats.

In addition, it is widely used in landscaping and restoration projects due to its attractive appearance and low maintenance requirements.

Photo Attributions:

Photo 1: Joshua Mayer from Madison, WI, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Photos 2 & 3: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons