Explore this online platform for Chicago-area residents to share their favorite stories about trees. Little Bluestem once dominated our tall and short grass prairies from Canada to Mexico. Duration: Perennial. Poor grazing for wildlife, but may provide nesting sites for ground-nesting birds. A native ornamental grass (Poaceae) with attractive blue-green foliage. In central and western Nebraska it grows in bunches and is sometimes called "bunch grass." Some native grass species: Little bluestem. Fair grazing for livestock and wildlife. Densely mounded, Little Bluestem reaches … • Kleberg bluestem is typically found in Central Texas and in South Texas along the Gulf Coast (Fig. In fall plants turn a showy coppery orange overall. This plant has some cultivated varieties. Bluestems, Indiangrass, and switchgrass are the most common native warm-season grasses sown in Pennsylvania. Blooms from June-October. The stems are naked at the top. It is found in areas receiving 10 to 60 inches of mean annual precipitation and plant hardiness zones 3 to 9. Stems turn a straw color when mature. This warm season bunch grass is native to 45 of the 50 states making it the most abundant of all native grasses. 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. Sideoats grama. Purple-bronze racemes form above the clump of leaves and appear in August. Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Little bluestem is a warm-season perennial bunchgrass that grows 2–4 feet in height. Prairie Munchkin (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Prairie Munchkin'): 2 1/2 feet tall with a narrow, columnar habit; silvery blue foliage turns maroon and orange in fall. But KR bluestem can also have hairy nodes, and the amount of its leaf material varies. Big bluestem . Noteworthy Characteristics. Stop by, email, or call. Seeds are eaten by songbirds and small mammals. Little Bluestem is a perennial, warm-season grass that may grow to 5 feet. It is found naturally in a wide range of moist to dry habitats. It is shorter than many prairie grasses, growing only 2 to 4 feet tall. Flowers in late summer with very erect fine textured needle-like pikes. It performs best in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Native: Introduced: Both: Absent/Unreported: Native, No County Data: ... little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium var. Little Bluestem A warm-season perennial grass that is used for forage, prairie restoration, highway right-a-ways, and wildlife habitat. Provides excellent cover year round. The alternate leaves are 1/4 inch wide and 10 to 14 inches long.  Foliage color can be varied, with some plants being more green and other more blue-green. It can be found from Canada to Mexico and from the east coast to the west coast. Grasses are adaptable and can grow in poorer soils better than many other garden plants. Little bluestem. The small fruit (caryopsis or grains) form along the spikes that held the flowers.  The fruit have a fluffy appearance due to white hairs. Little bluestem grows 2 to 4 feet tall. Ornamental grasses have become very popular over the last several years. Get expert help from The Morton Arboretum Plant Clinic. Texas, … Each stem produces a loose, terminal seed head that is usually purplish. Little bluestem grows in a wide range of soil types as long as they are not wet.  Tolerate of both alkaline and acid soils.  Good drought tolerance. Little bluestem is a prairie grass native to Illinois.  It is shorter than many prairie grasses, growing only 2 to 4 feet tall.  It is prized for its small fluffy seed heads and good fall color.Â, "This species is native to the Chicago Region according to Swink and Wilhelm's Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research. We do not seem to have this in our living collection. Some native forb species: Maximillian sunflower. The grass is an important native hay and forage grass. Purplish bronze seed heads and yellow-orange leaves make for great fall interest in the landscape. It is well-adapted to southern climates as it tolerates high heat and humidity. 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- to 3-inch clusters of fuzzy flower spikelets glisten silvery-white in the sun. Leaves: blades 2–5 mm wide; ligule 1–3 mm long. Our future. Kleberg bluestem is typically found in Central Texas and in South Texas along the Gulf Coast (Fig. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  This plant suffers from too much mulch near the crown. So, no rain gardens! Because little bluestem is such an important prairie plant across all of … Clumping plants produce half-inch wide leaves on upright stems in a unique light blue coloring. 3), is air salinity tolerant and does best on loamy to clay It is a bunch type, native, warm-season, perennial mid grass, with a dense root system, and may reach heights of from 2 to 4 feet tall. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), as its name implies, is smaller in stature than its fellow native of similar naming. It is found in many types of soil but is particularly adapted to well-drained, nearly infertile soil which makes it an excellent erosion barrier. Use up and down arrow keys to explore within a submenu. Schizachyrium scoparium (syn. It is able to grow on both acidic and alkaline soils. Good grazing for livestock. Little bluestem is a prairie grass native to Illinois. Engelmann daisy. This warm-season grass’ native prairie habitat has almost disappeared, but don’t worry. Bunchgrass occasionally with short rhizomes. Our communities. Little bluestem is an upright grass that grows from 2 to 4 feet tall.  It is a clumping grass. These grasses are adapted statewide although each may have This is a selection from the Chicagoland  Grows™ introduction program. “These plants are cultivars of a species that is native to the Chicago Region according to Swink and Wilhelm's Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research. But almost everywhere that could be plowed has been plowed. Go to list of cultivars. use escape to move to top level menu parent. Indiangrass. 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. Grows in savannahs in moist sandy, sandy loam or clay soil. Plant Characteristics. Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menus and submenus. Categories: December , February , Filter by Seeding Time , January , July , June , May , Native Grass NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to The King Ranch Bluestem is a bunchgrass that grows in tufts with erect or spreading culms 18-48 inches tall. Little bluestem is considered one of the big four desirable grasses (little bluestem, Indiangrass, big bluestem and switchgrass) in the Great Plains for its livestock and wildlife value. Vital species for reclamation and conservation. The foliage provides excellent color all season-long and creates the perfect backgrop for prairie flowers. KR bluestem is common throughout Texas (Fig. Leaves are flat, often folded along the midrib, 6–10 inches long, less than ¼-inch wide, and bluish-green through early Brownseed paspalum is a perennial, warm-season, native - 18 to 36 inches tall. N.C. Outstanding eastern native meadow species. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. It is prized for its small fluffy seed heads and good fall color. Little Bluestem is a highly ornamental native grass prized for its blue-green leaf color and upright form. Carousel (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Carousel'):  compact (2 1/2 feet tall) with an upright habit; blue green foliage with purple tints; fall color is a mix of copper, pink and mahogany. No serious pests.  May self seed, sometimes excessively. Adult Common Wood-Nymph butterflies feed on rotting fruit and flower nectar. Read on for little bluestem information so you can decide if this interesting plant is right for your landscape. Blue Heaven™ (Schizachyrium scoparium 'MinnBlueA'):  4 feet tall with an upright habit; steel blue leaves change to tones of burgundy, pink and orange in fall. Little bluestem typically occurs on dry upland sites, especially on ridges, hilltops, and steep slopes. In the spring, little bluestem can have crude protein levels higher than 20 percent. Illinois bundleflower. This is a larval host plant that supports various skipper larvae and Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) which have one brood from late May to October. Leaves are thicker near the collar and the upper surface is covered with long, silky hairs. It is attractive planted en masse and would make an excellent addition to a rain garden. You can search, browse, and learn more about the plants in our living collections by visiting our BRAHMS website. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status. They establish quickly on disturbed soilsperfect for banks, slopes, and restorations. Stems 30–100 cm, often red or rust colored when mature; sheaths flattened and keeled. Cultivars are plants produced in cultivation by selective breeding or via vegetative propagation from wild plants identified to have desirable traits.". This photo was taken in December. Use up and down arrow keys to explore within a submenu. In some areas, it is also known as "beard grass." Valuable plant for meadow and prairie gardens. 3), is air salinity tolerant and does best on loamy to clay soils. Our trees. We grow one species of Schizachyrium, the North American native Schizachyrium scoparium, commonly known as Little Bluestem. Andropogon scoparius). There are many cultivars available, which means it can be difficult to find the straight species in trade. Schizachyrium scoparium, commonly called little bluestem, is native to prairies, fields, clearings, hills, limestone glades, roadsides, waste areas and open woods from Alberta to Quebec south to Arizona and Florida.It was one of the dominant grasses of the vast tallgrass prairie region which once covered rich and fertile soils in many parts of central North America. Leaves: Summer/Fall/Winter; Bloom: Late Summer/Fall; Fruit/Seed/Nut: Fall/Winter. Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Little bluestem plant is a native grass to North America. Eastern gamagrass. Little bluestem and side oats grama (Bouteloua grama) are the two most common grasses of the Loess Hills in western Iowa. A few ornamental grasses that you might consider planting in your landscape are Indian rice grass, blue grama grass, little bluestem, Indiangrass, and Miscanthus. Little bluestem, a vigorous native prairie grass, grows throughout the Great Plains and beyond. Cut back to the ground in early spring to promote new attractive growth. It is a prolific self-seeder and can become invasive with little bluestem in lawns a major competitor to traditional turf grass. The Morton Arboretum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on the generosity of members and donors. It has blue-green foliage. Schizachyrium is tough and adaptable, tolerant of a range of moisture conditions from average to nearly arid. It is the only native grass species that can be found in every Kansas county, as it is adapted to tallgrass, mixed, and shortgrass prairie ecosystems alike. Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, is one of the three dominant species that make up our tall and short grass prairies. However, it does tolerate a wide range of soil conditions including infertility and clay. In fall, its foliage turns bronzy orange. Building the urban forest for 2050. Drought tolerant, it requires very little care and is virtually pest and disease free. Fruits are available July-November. This native, cool-season grass grows from 1 to 2 ½ feet tall. Typical native grasses grown as forage in Arkansas include big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides). There are many cultivars available, which means it can be difficult to find the straight species in trade. Orange-yellow fall color. Prairie Blues (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Prairie Blues'): 3 feet tall with an upright habit; blue gray foliage turns red-orange in fall. Can be a co-dominant grass with little bluestem. Jazz (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Jazz'):  2 to 3 feet tall with an upright habit; silvery blue foliage turns mauve purple in fall. Can grow in almost any soil as long as it drains well. The following menu has 3 levels. 4), even in drier regions, and it grows well on rocky limestone hills and shallow or clay soils. Many warm-season grasses are deep rooted, long-lived perennials with considerable tolerance to relatively low pH, low fertility, and drought. Little Bluestem is a perennial, warm-season grass that may grow to 5 feet. Fall color can also vary from orange to bronze to reddish.  The fall color is usually very good. Images. They also shine in meadows, prairi… Switchgrass. Little Bluestem grows well on a variety of soil types, including Deep, shallow, sandy, fine textured, and rocky soils. Use enter to activate. Flat linaer leaves 1/4" wide form attractive clumps of light blue at the base turn orange-yellow in fall and persist into winter giving intrest to the landscape. Read our Commitment to Diversity | Read our Privacy Statement. The foliage of this natural beauty adds a kaleidoscope of pastel colors in summer and coppery tones in fall. Within a submenu, use escape to move to top level menu parent. This is a warm season grass, so its most active growth occurs in summer.  It will remain standing in winter and can act as winter interest. Flowering occurs in late summer into early autumn.  The tiny, green to white flowers occur on spikes.  The flowers are wind pollinated. One of the most attractive native grasses, and the state grass of Utah, is Indian rice grass. On several primary branches spikelets can be found, with a reddish-purple color, whether t… This plant works well mixed into other native plant arrangements and tends to behave better than switchgrass, spreading much more slowly. Since this grass remains attractive through winter, it should not be cut back until early spring, before new growth begins.  At that time, it can be cut down to the ground. Have tree and plant questions? " Â. Standing Ovation (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation'): 3 to 4 feet tall with an upright habit; blue foliage with purple tints; fall color is red-orange and burgundy. "This species is native to the Chicago Region according to Swink and Wilhelm's Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research." • Kleberg bluestem has hairy stem joints (nodes) and more leaf material than does KR bluestem. It grows well on uplands or lowlands over a wide range of well drained soils. Adaptation. form a strategic partnership called N.C. Primary growth occurs from mid spring through summer, reaching maximum height in July. Little bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, is a North American prairie native found throughout the 48 contiguous states, except for the far western, coastal areas.As its name suggests, this perennial has silvery-blue stems (particularly at the base) and leaves, making it an attractive addition to the landscape. Native to eastern North America. It is found naturally in a wide range of moist to dry habitats. Cut back to the ground in early spring to promote new attractive growth. Little Bluestem is used in low maintenance mixtures with other lower growing natives for recreational areas, golf courses, roadsides, and wildlife habitat. (They dry well, by the way.) Little bluestem is a perennial, warm-season, native - 24 to 48 inches tall. Blaze (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blaze'):   2 to 3 feet tall with an upright form; blue-green foliage turns to red, mixed with pruple and orange; remains pinkish in winter. Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menus and submenus. Propagate by seed or division. The height will vary from one foot up to three … It also occurs on limey subirrigated sites and in prairie fens. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) Little bluestem is the dominant grass in the mixed grass or midgrass prairie. Bush sunflower . Purple-bronze seed heads give excellent fall and winter interest. Habitat. Browse the curated collection and add your voice! It has drought resistance once established. Deer resistant; Cut to the ground in late winter to early spring. From top level menus, use escape to exit the menu. Natural Areas Conservation Training Program, Black walnut toxicity (plants tolerant of), Preventing construction damage to trees and shrubs, Trees and shrubs for the four seasons landscape, Sudden Oak Death, Ramorum Blight and Phytophthora ramorum, Eastern United States Wetlands Collection. The Blues (Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues'):  3 feet tall with an upright habit; blue foliage with red accents on stem; fall color is a mix of blue, purple and orange. Grass grows from 1 to 2 ½ feet tall native Schizachyrium scoparium, known... Turf grass. the crown cut back to the ground in late winter to early to... Become invasive with little bluestem is a perennial, warm-season, native - to! And learn more about the plants in our living collection bluestem plant is a perennial warm-season. 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And clay in South Texas along the Gulf coast ( Fig spreading much more slowly in and... The grass is an upright grass that may grow to 5 feet it high. Interest in the spring, little bluestem and side oats grama ( Bouteloua grama ) are two..., Schizachyrium scoparium, is Indian rice grass., Diseases and other plant Problems: this suffers! For banks, slopes, and drought hilltops, and restorations on upright stems in a unique blue! And flower nectar tall. it is found naturally in a wide range of moist to dry habitats native prairie has... That make up our tall and short grass prairies a bunchgrass that grows 2–4 feet in height and right keys... Deer resistant ; cut to the ground in early spring to promote new growth! 4 feet tall. it is attractive planted en masse and would make excellent. Clay soil southern climates as it drains well, browse, and drought early spring fellow native of similar.... Fall plants turn a showy coppery orange overall - 18 to 36 inches tall to exit menu... Texas along the Gulf coast ( Fig moist sandy, sandy loam or clay soils native... Hilltops, and wildlife habitat ) ( 3 ) nonprofit that relies on the generosity of members donors! In meadows, prairi… little bluestem typically occurs on dry upland sites, especially on ridges hilltops! Cultivars available, which means it can be found from Canada to Mexico and from east... Nebraska it grows well on uplands or lowlands over a wide range of drained! Could be plowed has been plowed excellent color all season-long and creates the perfect backgrop for prairie flowers::!