Free Spirit® Blue Arrow® Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium)
Perennial
- Stunning spikey steel-blue foliage!
- Versatile habit great for adding texture & cool color to landscape.
- Sturdy, stays upright during heavy downpours.
- Native grass that can help with erosion control.
- Zones 4-9, sun, 36-42” tall x 18-24” wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
A native North American ornamental grass, little bluestem features cool-toned blue foliage that grows in a dense, upright habit that provides birds with food and shelter during the winter. This perennial grass also tolerates various soils and climates, making bluestem an excellent choice for almost any garden! If you want to add easy-care interest to your garden and support wildlife (without attracting deer), bluestem grass would be a great addition.
Details
Common name: Little bluestem
Zone: 4-9
Sun exposure: Sun (> 6 hours sun)
Height x width: 36-42” tall x 18-24” wide
Flower color: Tan
Foliage color: Blue, green
Season of interest: Year-round
Bloom time: Late summer, early fall
Features: Suitable for slopes, rare & unusual, native, heat-tolerant, fall color, drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, cold-tolerant, low maintenance
Uses: Suitable for slopes, erosion control, mass planting, border, naturalized gardens
How to Grow
Light: Performs best in full sun (> 6 hours sun).
Water: Has average water needs but will tolerate drought once established.
Spacing: Minimum 3-3.5 feet apart.
Fertilizing: It does not require fertilizer.
Winterizing: Can leave foliage standing for winter.
Maintenance & pruning: Prune to the ground in late winter before new growth has emerged.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.