Quick Description
Other Names: Little Bluestem
What Makes it Special?
The Blues Bluestem is primarily grown for its highly ornamental fruit. The antique red seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from early fall to late winter. Its attractive grassy leaves are powder blue in color. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous coppery-bronze in the fall. It has masses of beautiful spikes of light green flowers rising above the foliage in late summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The brick red stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.
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Landscape Attributes
The Blues Bluestem is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cut back to the ground in late winter before active growth resumes. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Planting & Growing
The Blues Bluestem will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity extending to 32 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!
This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues'
The Blues Bluestem
$25.00 – $56.00
$25.00 – $56.00
Click for Plant Facts – Height, Width, Sun, Water, & More!
Height : 24 inches (32 inches with the flowers)
Spread: 18 inches
Sunlight: full sun
Water Usage: dry to moist
Landscape Use: Mass Planting, General Garden Use, Groundcover
Flower Color: Light Green
Bloom Period:In Late Summer
Foliage Type: deciduous
Foliage Color: Blue
Deer Resistant?: No
Spread: 18 inches
Sunlight: full sun
Water Usage: dry to moist
Landscape Use: Mass Planting, General Garden Use, Groundcover
Flower Color: Light Green
Bloom Period:In Late Summer
Foliage Type: deciduous
Foliage Color: Blue
Deer Resistant?: No
Want more info on sizes?
IndyPlants sells landscape size plant material. These often come in black nursery containers and are classified in sizes such as #2, #3, #5, etc. This correlates to the volume of the container, 2 gallon, 3, gallon, 5 gallon, etc. The bigger the number, the larger the pot, and the larger the plant. You’ll also see larger sizes such as 2” BB, 2.5” BB, 3” BB, etc. This stands for ‘Balled & Burlapped’. These plants are usually much larger and are not transported in black nursery pots. The sizing correlates to the diameter of the trunk of the tree.
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Your Plants, Our Promise
If there’s a problem with a plant you’ve ordered from us, we’ll make it right. Period. Drop us a line at support@indyplants.com with a brief description and photos, and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
Do you accept returns?
We do our best to handpick only the best quality plants from trusted, local nurseries. If for whatever reason your order doesn’t meet your expectations, you can return your plants for a full refund within 48 hours of delivery.
Do your plants have a warranty?
Nature can take a toll on even the best cared for plants. If your plant dies within one year from the date it was delivered, you’ll get an exact replacement to the best of our ability. If you’d prefer a substitution or a full refund, we’ve got you covered.