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1606 N 600 Rd, Baldwin City, 66006
785.594.2966

little bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

Perennial Plant Association 2022 Perennial Plant of the Year!

State grass of Kansas

Silvery-blue foliage with exceptional bronze-red fall color. One of the dominant grasses of the tallgrass prairie which once covered the rich and fertile soils of central North America, this prairie native tolerates heat and humidity like a champ. With 5-8 foot deep roots drought is also not a problem.

Little bluestem blends beautifully with other perennials, particularly those with blue-green or silvery foliage, supports pollinators, and provides winter food, nesting material, and cover for birds.

In addition to the straight native, we also offer ‘Twilight Zone’ which was selected for its iridescent, silvery mauve midsummer color. Beautiful pastel tones intensify in fall with bright purple highlights.

Native to prairies, fields, clearings, hills, limestone glades, roadsides, waste areas, and open woods from Alberta to Quebec south to Arizona and Florida.

ACCORDING TO THE XERCES SOCIETY, Little bluestem serves as a larval host for nine skipper species including the common wood nymph, Dakota and Ottoe skippers, Leonard’s skipper, and others.