Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Also listed as Andropogon maderensis, Andropogon scoparius
Also known as Broom Bluestem, Prairie Beard Grass, Beard Grass
Climate Match for your location
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A native warm-season ornamental grass with fine, delicate foliage that turns striking red and purple hues in fall. Extremely drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established, making it ideal for prairie gardens and xeriscaping.
Why grow it
Little bluestem is a native warm-season grass that establishes more quickly than some prairie species and requires minimal inputs once mature. Its fine texture and moderate height (2-3 feet) make it useful for layering in perennial borders or meadow plantings where finer visual detail is desired compared to coarser native grasses. It tolerates poor, compacted, or sandy soils where many ornamental grasses struggle, making it a practical choice for difficult sites without extensive soil amendment.
Watch out for
This grass is slow to green up in spring, so mark its location to avoid accidentally disturbing dormant plants. It can take 2-3 growing seasons to reach full size and density, requiring patience during establishment. In areas with high humidity or poor drainage, it may thin or weaken, so site selection matters more than the plant's drought tolerance alone suggests.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Poaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North American Great Plains and prairies
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native warm-season ornamental grass with fine, delicate foliage that turns striking red and purple hues in fall. Extremely drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established, making it ideal for prairie gardens and xeriscaping.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Little Bluestem grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Little bluestem is a native warm-season grass that establishes more quickly than some prairie species and requires minimal inputs once mature. Its fine texture and moderate height (2-3 feet) make it useful for layering in perennial borders or meadow plantings where finer visual detail is desired compared to coarser native grasses. It tolerates poor, compacted, or sandy soils where many ornamental grasses struggle, making it a practical choice for difficult sites without extensive soil amendment.
Watch out for
This grass is slow to green up in spring, so mark its location to avoid accidentally disturbing dormant plants. It can take 2-3 growing seasons to reach full size and density, requiring patience during establishment. In areas with high humidity or poor drainage, it may thin or weaken, so site selection matters more than the plant's drought tolerance alone suggests.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Poaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North American Great Plains and prairies
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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