General Culture:

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates wide range of soil conditions. Cut to the ground in late winter to early spring.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Little bluestem is one of the dominant grasses which grow in the rich and fertile soils of the tallgrass prairie. It is a Missouri native, warm season, ornamental grass which typically grows 2-4' tall (less frequently to 5') and occurs in prairies, open woods, clearings, glades, roadsides and waste areas throughout most of the State. Forms upright clumps of slender green leaves (1/4" wide) with a tinge of blue at the base. Purplish-bronze flowers appear in 3" long racemes on branched stems rising above the foliage in August. Resulting clusters of fluffy, silvery-white seed heads are attractive and may persist into winter. Most outstanding feature of this grass may be the bronze-orange fall foliage color. Formerly known as Andropogon scoparius.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems.

Uses:

Borders, cottage gardens, wild gardens, native plant gardens or prairie-like settings. Group or mass.

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