![]() ![]() This plant doesn’t really require much care. How to maintain and care for Little Bluestem In optimum conditions, Little Bluestem should reach a height of 3′ (1 m). The foliage is attractive and interesting throughout the Spring/Summer, but also in the Fall/Winter seasons. It has a tendency to self-seed quite vigorously, which will help fill in gaps, but also make it somewhat invasive in smaller gardens. This grass plant is great for stabilizing banks and preventing erosion. The only area it can’t grow is very high elevations above 5000-6000 feet, and along coastal beaches. Due to its deep and large root system, it will be very drought tolerant and an excellent choice for dry areas. It will grow best and reach its largest size in full sun. You don’t need to fertilize this plant to have it grow well. Fertility doesn’t seem to matter, as it can grow in hard clay, black loam, or even somewhat sandy soil. Little Bluestem can grow in almost any soil type that drains. To achieve the really deep roots though it should be planted in a diverse landscape, and not just a mono-culture. Little bluestem has a deep fibrous root system that can reach depths of 3′-5′ (1-1.6 m). These will turn into spiklets that form seed heads. The upper portion of the stalk will have racemes approximately 2″ long. Narrow leaves that are alternate along the stalk will grow about 8-10″ (20-25 cm) long by 1/4″ wide (6 mm). Above this a less dense series of stalks will grow an additional 1′, that don’t have many leaves. Stalk / StemĪ dense clump of blades/stalks with leaves will form for the first 1-2′ as measured from the ground up. The color will be blueish-green throughout the Spring and Summer, changing to a golden brown in Autumn/Winter. ![]() This is a perennial grass that is clump forming and generally erect if planted out in the open. The Scientific Name of Little Bluestem is Schizachyrium scoparium.Little Bluestem is present throughout all southern Canadian Provinces, and all 48 Continental United States. ![]()
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