Schizachyrium scoparium - Little Bluestem

Little Bluestem is an upright, clump-forming grass with blue-green blades that transform into brilliant shades of copper, red, and orange in the fall, creating a striking seasonal display. By late summer, feathery silver seed heads emerge, adding soft movement to the landscape. This drought-tolerant native grass provides excellent nesting sites for birds and serves as a food source for small mammals and birds, including prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse. Its resilience and year-round visual interest make it a standout in both urban and rural landscapes.

Thriving in dry, well-drained soils, this low-maintenance perennial is ideal for self-sustaining gardens, prairie plantings, and naturalized meadows. It is moderately deer-resistant as the young shoots may be browsed, but mature plants are generally left alone.