Blaze Little Bluestem is a native grass with upright slender leaves noted for its continuously changing colors and vivid red fall foliage that holds through winter. The foliage emerges light blue, matures to grey-green, then acquires purplish tint before exploding into intense shades of pink-orange, red-purple then the vivid red of fall. Tiny red-brown flowers rise high above the foliage on stems in late summer and are followed by fluffy white seed heads that persist through winter. Grows best in full sun and well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established.
Schizachyrium scoparium is a native host plant for 6 different skippers: the Ottoe, Indian, Crossline, Dusted, Cobweb, and Dixie skipper. The seeds are eaten by small birds.
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Type: |
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Origins: |
N. America; GA Native |
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Height: |
2’ - 3' |
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Spread: |
1.5' - 2' |
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Spacing: |
1.5’ |
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USDA Hardiness Zone: |
3 - 9 |
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Culture: |
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Bloom Color: |
Brown |
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Season of Interest: |
MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low maintenance plant. Cut to ground late winter or early spring.
LANDSCAPE USES: Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Naturalized Areas, Woodland Garden, Rock Gardens, Native Gardens, Groundcover, and Containers.
COMPANION PLANTS: Blazing Star, False Indigo, Lamb’s Ear
IMAGE: Photo by SFWS Mountain-Prairie, Prairie Grass
*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown
