'Cinnamon Sticks' Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium)
Perennial
- Blue stems take on deep cinnamon color in fall!
- Deer-resistant & native to North America.
- Adds height to narrow garden spaces, even tough soil sites.
- Zones 3-9, full sun, 32-36” tall x 24-26” wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
A native North American ornamental grass, this perennial is an excellent choice for slopes and ideal for erosion control, thanks to its deep root system. In addition to its benefits, it provides birds with food and shelter. If you want to add easy-care interest to your garden and support wildlife (without attracting deer), this bluestem grass would be a great addition! Tolerant of various soils and climates, bluestem grass is an excellent choice for almost any garden!
Details
Common name: Little bluestem
Zone: 3-9
Sun exposure: Sun (> 6 hours sun)
Height x width: 32-36” tall x 24-26” wide
Flower color: Tan
Foliage color: Blue, purple, 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, container plants, 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: 2 to 3 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.