Prairie Beard Grass Schizachyrium scoparium
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Andropogon scoparius
- Phonetic Spelling
- ski-za-KRY-ee-um sko-PAIR-ee-um
- Description
-
A native ornamental grass (Poaceae) with attractive blue-green foliage. Purplish bronze seed heads and yellow-orange leaves make for great fall interest in the landscape. It is attractive planted en masse and would make an excellent addition to a rain garden. It performs best in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. However, it does tolerate a wide range of soil conditions including infertility and clay. It has drought resistance once established. It is well-adapted to southern climates as it tolerates high heat and humidity. 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. There are many cultivars available, which means it can be difficult to find the straight species in trade.
Little Bluestem is a perennial, warm-season grass that may grow to 5 feet. 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.
Seasons of Interest:
Leaves: Summer/Fall/Winter; Bloom: Late Summer/Fall; Fruit/Seed/Nut: Fall/Winter
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: This plant suffers from too much mulch near the crown.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Courtyard Entrance Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Heaven'
- 'The Blues'
- 'Blue Heaven'
- 'Blue Heaven', 'The Blues'
- Tags:












- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Heaven'
- 'The Blues'
- 'Blue Heaven'
- 'Blue Heaven', 'The Blues'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Schizachyrium
- Species:
- scoparium
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America
- Wildlife Value:
- Provides excellent cover year round. 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. Adult Common Wood-Nymph butterflies feed on rotting fruit and flower nectar. Seeds are eaten by songbirds and small mammals.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer resistance is high.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Description:
- Purple-bronze seed heads give excellent fall and winter interest. Fruits are available July-November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Purple-bronze racemes form above the clump of leaves and appear in August. Blooms from June-October.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Orange
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Filiform
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Humidity
- Pollution