Carousel Little Bluestem is a small native grass with upright slender blue-green leaves that earn a pink blush in summer before turning copper and bronze with purple in fall. Tiny purple-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: |
1.5’ - 2.5' |
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Spread: |
1.5' - 2.5' |
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Spacing: |
2’ |
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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: Tickseed, Joe-Pye Weed, Sea Holly
IMAGES: Chris Light, Little Bluestem P7280448, CC BY-SA 4.0, (2) Photo by David J. Stang, Schizachyrium scoparium 0zz, CC BY-SA 4.0
*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.
