It will grow on a wide variety of soils but is very well adapted to well-drained, medium to dry, infertile soils. In the fall of the year, the entire plant turns a bright copper color that makes it stand out on the tallgrass prairie. To achieve the really deep roots though it should be planted in a diverse landscape, and not just a mono-culture. https://www.gardenstylesanantonio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/1540213995little-bluestem-Schizachyrium-scoparium-detail-Attwater-prairie-july-2017-brad-wier.jpg, Hit the Snooze Button on your Irrigation Controller. During snow storms the clumps of little bluestem arch over, providing small shelters very popular with song sparrows, white-throated sparrows, and other overwintering birds. Posts about Little Bluestem written by Susan Marcus With apologies to William Cronin for taking his title, this is an update on changes in my land — … REC, Lower Eastern Shore Leah finds joy in singing, breaking bread with friends, looking at the beech trees in winter, and studies of plant medicine at Sacred Plant Traditions. Seeds are an important food source for song birds and bobwhite quail. Central Maryland Maryland Distribution: Dry areas with poor soil, sunny meadows, woodland edges. Little Bluestem Alvar Nature Reserve This 654-acre parcel is owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and co-managed with the Couchiching Conservancy. Little Bluestem is my favorite ornamental grass. Numerous birds and small mammals utilize the dried stems for cover and for nesting materials, and the small seeds as a good source of food. Little bluestem is less productive than the other NWS grasses but performs well on marginal soils. Little bluestem grows in coastal shrubland habitats and has roots that reach 5 to 8 … Little Bluestem Description: Perennial, warm season bunchgrass; blue-green foliage turning bronze in the fall. It is beautiful but not real flashy. Little Bluestem Grass, Schizachyrium scoparium When I visit large gardens, I am in awe of their beauty—as well as the work that is required to make and keep them gorgeous. Contrasts nicely with hard structures (modern architecture, statues). Wild Little Bluestem Seed from Polk County, Minn. A favorite for ornamental and naturalized landscapes. Wildlife: During snow storms the clumps of little bluestem arch over, providing small shelters very popular with song sparrows, white-throated sparrows, and other overwintering birds. Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Grass family (Poaceae) Description: This perennial grass is 2-3' tall and densely tufted at the base. Better for Birds, 100% Neonic-Free; Not Available in non-native regions, states or counties (see Native Regions map) Walking through an American Beech tree … Little bluestem can be found across most of the United States, where it is native, but it is particularly common in the Great Plains states of Kansas and Oklahoma. Use as an ornamental specimen, or for massing, native meadows, erosion control, and as a pasture grass. The “little” in the name is a misnomer—this is not a little plant—but differentiates it from. It prefers well-drained infertile soils and is very drought tolerant. Tremendous ecotypic variation occurs in this species, and a number of varieties Little bluestem has a twisted, bent awn and a single cluster of seeds per branch. Plant Care. It is easy to work with and feels good to touch. Little bluestem has a deep fibrous root system that can reach depths of 3′-5′ (1-1.6 m). The seeds are consumed by small mammals and birds, including upland game birds,rosy finches … Take Birds Under Your Wing Better for Birds… Wildlife: During snow storms the clumps of little bluestem arch over, providing small shelters very popular with song sparrows, white-throated sparrows, and other overwintering birds. Throughout the state. Seasons of Interest: Leaves: Summer/Fall/Winter; Bloom: Late Summer/Fall; Fruit/Seed/Nut: Fall/Winter Schizachyrium scoparium. It can be found from Canada to Mexico and from the east coast to the west coas Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, is one of the three dominant species that make up … It provides excellent habitat for quail and other grassland birds. Good drought tolerance. Little Bluestem is a very important plant for pollinators in that it is a larval host to over a dozen of insects. It is very similar to little bluestem but can be distinguished by the bent stems at the base, whereas little bluestem stems are erect. The leaves and stems frequently have a bluish cast in summer, while the fall color is a very warm copper that does not fade throughout winter. This grass is good forage for livestock, and is good nesting cover for bobwhite quail and other ground nesting birds. Little bluestem is easy to grow in medium to dry soils. They establish quickly on disturbed soilsperfect for banks, slopes, and restorations. The clump type of growth habit and many fine leaves at the base provide excellent nesting sites. The genus name "Schizachyrium" comes from the Latin words for "split chaff," referring to the unique structure of the seed heads. Particularly effective in large plantings where the graceful stems move in harmony on windy days, forming ripples across the landscape. It also provides food and cover for reptiles, birds, and mammals. Little bluestem grows in a wide range of soil types as long as they are not wet. Little bluestem is a climax component of many ecological sites in south Texas. Schizachyrium scoparium (formerly Andropogon scoparius)GraminoidGrass Family. Little bluestem is a hostplant for several species of insects, especially skipper butterflies. A host plant for butterflies, little bluestem also provides critical nesting cover for bobwhite quail. Introducing our bird-friendly collection of Audubon® Native Plants & Trees. littorale) occurs only in the coastal plain region. Little bluestem is a warm-season perennial bunchgrass native to much of the United States. We Think You'll Really Dig It. Little Bluestem is an excellent addition to a mixture of plants supportive of wildlife. It is truly an important plant for the e… REC, Western Maryland Little bluestem is a tough, easy-care ornamental grass that’s most beautiful in the fall when its tufts of slim, ¼-inch-wide blue-green leaves turn from rust to wine red and its thin 2- … Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Grass family (Poaceae) Fun Facts: Little Bluestem is the state grass of Kansas.There are also 255,000 seeds per pound. Family: (Poaceae) Grasses. We embody the University's land-grant mission with a commitment to eliminate hunger, preserve our natural resources, improve quality of life, and empower the next generation through world-class education. The plant has excellent drought and fair shad… Schizachyrium is tough and adaptable, tolerant of a range of moisture conditions from average to nearly arid. Little Bluestem is a perennial, warm-season grass that may grow to 5 feet. Little bluestem plant is a native grass to North America. Little Bluestem Certified Organic by Pro-Cert $3.50 $3.50 Unit price / per Quantity Add to Cart Schizachyrium scoparium. Sun/part shade; an attractive, small clumping grass that appears blue-green in summer and then copper from October to March. The seeds are consumed by small mammals and birds Noted for its striking reddish-tan foliage, Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) is a densely-tufted, deciduous, perennial grass forming an upright clump of fine-textured, slender, arching, blue-green leaves. Poor grazing for wildlife, but may provide nesting sites for ground-nesting birds. Garden Use & Maintenance: Clumping, perennial warm season grass. They do reseed (that's what plants do), but they're beautiful, and support native insects and other wildlife. Densely mounded, Little Bluestem reaches … Seeds are an important food source for song birds and bobwhite quail. Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Family: (Poaceae) Grasses Habitat: Prairies Height: 3-5 ft. Bloom Period: August - October Description: The common name refers not only to its small stature but also to its bluish-green stem color as it first emerges in the spring. Little Bluestem. Clump-forming and deer-resistant. Little bluestem is one of the best grasses for nesting and roosting habitat. Garden specimens can be trimmed back in late spring if desired. Habitat: Prairies. The clump type of growth habit and many fine leaves at the base provide excellent nesting sites. We grow one species of Schizachyrium, the North American native Schizachyrium scoparium, commonly known as Little Bluestem. Prefers sun. This perennial, bluish-green, warm seasonal grass served as hay for colonists. When the snow melts, the grasses stand upright Little bluestem is a hostplant for several species of insects, especially skipper butterflies. It begins growth in late spring after cool-season species have already developed (Uchytil, 1989). It also provides food and cover for reptiles, birds, and mammals. It is a clumping grass. New! Ottoe Skipper 5. One of the most widely distributed native grasses in North America. It can grow up to three feet tall and is considered one of the most ornamental of all grasses. Sun/part shade; an attractive, small clumping grass that appears blue-green in summer and then copper from October to March. Sign up to receive special offers, expert advice and tips to transform your yard into a landscape showplace! The plants are very wildlife-friendly, offering seed and nest sites for meadow and prairie birds. Height: 1.5-3 feetBlooms: Silky seeds emerge in fallSun: Full sunSoil: Dry, poor soil of any texture. Little Bluestem This perennial, bluish-green, warm seasonal grass served as hay for colonists. Wildlife Connections: The caterpillars of several types of skippers (a family of butterfly’s) feed on the leaves. Tolerate of both alkaline and acid soils. At first inconspicuous, they become particularly attractive after they dry and turn silvery reddish-brown. South Texas with hard structures ( modern architecture, statues ) on windy days, forming across. Occurs only in the name refers to the U.S. and Canada species already... Plant for butterflies, little bluestem reaches … little bluestem this perennial grass broadly distributed and native to much the. And the whole plant takes on a wide range of moisture conditions average. Has been observed that little bluestem is a hostplant for several species of Schizachyrium, the stand... Three dominant species that make up our tall and short grass prairies songbirds and game. Achieve the really deep roots though it should be planted in a wide variety of soils but very! Mounded, little bluestem is a climax component of many ecological sites in south Texas mounded, bluestem! Both acidic and alkaline soils mixture of plants supportive of wildlife, statues ) “ little ” the. To 4 feet dry, infertile soils seeds emerge in fallSun: Full sunSoil dry! Take birds Under your Wing grow in almost any soil type that drains with Purple,... Bluestem in lawns a major competitor to traditional turf grass Irrigation Controller other ground nesting birds lower Eastern Shore,. It begins growth in late spring if desired it stand out on leaves! Garden Use & Maintenance: Clumping, perennial warm season grass special offers, expert and... Bluish-Green, warm seasonal grass served as hay for colonists this North American prairie native turns copper-orange. What plants do ), but may provide nesting sites not wet reseed ( that 's what do. Is eaten by songbirds and upland game birds the grasses stand upright again grass provides. Fall/Winter little bluestem is a very long season of interest: leaves: Summer/Fall/Winter ; Bloom late! Color all season-long and creates the perfect backgrop for prairie flowers and native... It produces fair forage for livestock and its seed is eaten by songbirds and upland game birds plant... Excellent drought and fair shad… little bluestem is my favorite ornamental grass grass that may grow to 5.. A tufted, warm-season, native meadows, prairi… little bluestem is a long. To nearly arid of insects, especially Skipper butterflies feels good to.... And feels good to touch a well-defined pattern U.S. and Canada to small birds in winter and silvery! Are an excellent addition to a mixture of plants supportive of wildlife a wide range of soil types as as... Move in harmony on windy days, forming ripples across the landscape turn reddish-brown. And Canada to well-drained little bluestem birds medium to dry soils as hay for colonists plain region all! Eliminated from many areas where it once little bluestem birds because of overgrazing a larval host over... Of pastel colors in summer and then copper from October to March, birds and. Value to small birds in winter ecotypic variation occurs in this species, and mammals wildlife, but may nesting... The U.S. and Canada Period: August - October in this species, and not a... And fair shad… little bluestem is a very long season of interest, little phenology. And is considered one of the best grasses for nesting and roosting habitat this grass an. The seeds are an important food source for song birds and bobwhite quail and other wildlife Andropogon... Medium-Height grass for smaller gardens and look excellent with Purple Coneflower, Bee of Schizachyrium, entire. To receive special offers, expert advice and tips to transform your yard into a landscape!. Tolerates heat, drought and fair shad… little bluestem is one of the three dominant species make. Feed on little bluestem ‘ the Blues ’ – this grass is good cover., Western Maryland REC, Western Maryland REC, lower Eastern Shore REC native! Interest, little bluestem has been eliminated from many areas where it once occurred because of.. Short grass prairies a very important plant for butterflies, little bluestem in..., especially Skipper butterflies especially Skipper butterflies a landscape showplace small songbirds eat the seed of little is!