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). Stems 30–100 cm, often red or rust colored when mature; sheaths flattened and keeled. Use up and down arrow keys to explore within a submenu. 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. Have tree and plant questions? 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. This plant works well mixed into other native plant arrangements and tends to behave better than switchgrass, spreading much more slowly. 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. Because little bluestem is such an important prairie plant across all of … Densely mounded, Little Bluestem reaches … This native, cool-season grass grows from 1 to 2 ½ feet tall. Sideoats grama. The height will vary from one foot up to three … Our communities. 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. Deer resistant; Cut to the ground in late winter to early spring. They establish quickly on disturbed soilsperfect for banks, slopes, and restorations. 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. Fruits are available July-November. Each stem produces a loose, terminal seed head that is usually purplish. 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. This is a selection from the Chicagoland  Grows™ introduction program. NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to 4), even in drier regions, and it grows well on rocky limestone hills and shallow or clay soils. Eastern gamagrass. Little bluestem is an upright grass that grows from 2 to 4 feet tall.  It is a clumping grass. 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. Bush sunflower . Seeds are eaten by songbirds and small mammals. This warm-season grass’ native prairie habitat has almost disappeared, but don’t worry. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Schizachyrium is tough and adaptable, tolerant of a range of moisture conditions from average to nearly arid. This plant has some cultivated varieties. 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. Little Bluestem is a perennial, warm-season grass that may grow to 5 feet. Cut back to the ground in early spring to promote new attractive growth. (They dry well, by the way.) Plant Characteristics. Drought tolerant, it requires very little care and is virtually pest and disease free. It is able to grow on both acidic and alkaline soils. Clumping plants produce half-inch wide leaves on upright stems in a unique light blue coloring. Images. KR bluestem is common throughout Texas (Fig. 3), is air salinity tolerant and does best on loamy to clay Little Bluestem A warm-season perennial grass that is used for forage, prairie restoration, highway right-a-ways, and wildlife habitat. It has drought resistance once established. Adult Common Wood-Nymph butterflies feed on rotting fruit and flower nectar. The foliage provides excellent color all season-long and creates the perfect backgrop for prairie flowers. Cut back to the ground in early spring to promote new attractive growth. Engelmann daisy. Read our Commitment to Diversity | Read our Privacy Statement. “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. Use up and down arrow keys to explore within a submenu. These grasses are adapted statewide although each may have However, it does tolerate a wide range of soil conditions including infertility and clay. Flowers in late summer with very erect fine textured needle-like pikes. Habitat. The King Ranch Bluestem is a bunchgrass that grows in tufts with erect or spreading culms 18-48 inches tall. Good grazing for livestock. Texas, … There are many cultivars available, which means it can be difficult to find the straight species in trade. 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. It is found naturally in a wide range of moist to dry habitats. Purplish bronze seed heads and yellow-orange leaves make for great fall interest in the landscape. Andropogon scoparius). N.C. Little Bluestem is used in low maintenance mixtures with other lower growing natives for recreational areas, golf courses, roadsides, and wildlife habitat. form a strategic partnership called N.C. Building the urban forest for 2050. Flowering occurs in late summer into early autumn.  The tiny, green to white flowers occur on spikes.  The flowers are wind pollinated. 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. Valuable plant for meadow and prairie gardens. 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. Many warm-season grasses are deep rooted, long-lived perennials with considerable tolerance to relatively low pH, low fertility, and drought. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) Little bluestem is the dominant grass in the mixed grass or midgrass prairie. It is prized for its small fluffy seed heads and good fall color. In fall plants turn a showy coppery orange overall. Browse the curated collection and add your voice! • Kleberg bluestem has hairy stem joints (nodes) and more leaf material than does KR bluestem. Little bluestem, a vigorous native prairie grass, grows throughout the Great Plains and beyond. It is a prolific self-seeder and can become invasive with little bluestem in lawns a major competitor to traditional turf grass. Switchgrass. Blooms from June-October. It can be found from Canada to Mexico and from the east coast to the west coast. Brownseed paspalum is a perennial, warm-season, native - 18 to 36 inches tall. Orange-yellow fall color. In the spring, little bluestem can have crude protein levels higher than 20 percent. Leaves are thicker near the collar and the upper surface is covered with long, silky hairs. Stop by, email, or call. Vital species for reclamation and conservation. Kleberg bluestem is typically found in Central Texas and in South Texas along the Gulf Coast (Fig. Little bluestem. Bluestems, Indiangrass, and switchgrass are the most common native warm-season grasses sown in Pennsylvania. Provides excellent cover year round. Schizachyrium scoparium (syn. So, no rain gardens! It also occurs on limey subirrigated sites and in prairie fens. Primary growth occurs from mid spring through summer, reaching maximum height in July. Cultivars are plants produced in cultivation by selective breeding or via vegetative propagation from wild plants identified to have desirable traits.". From top level menus, use escape to exit the menu. 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. We do not seem to have this in our living collection. Little bluestem is a prairie grass native to Illinois. Purple-bronze seed heads give excellent fall and winter interest. The foliage of this natural beauty adds a kaleidoscope of pastel colors in summer and coppery tones in fall. Prairie Blues (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Prairie Blues'): 3 feet tall with an upright habit; blue gray foliage turns red-orange in fall. Little bluestem grows 2 to 4 feet tall. The Morton Arboretum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on the generosity of members and donors. Our future. Some native forb species: Maximillian sunflower. Categories: December , February , Filter by Seeding Time , January , July , June , May , Native Grass This warm season bunch grass is native to 45 of the 50 states making it the most abundant of all native grasses. In fall, its foliage turns bronzy orange. Our trees. Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, is one of the three dominant species that make up our tall and short grass prairies. A few ornamental grasses that you might consider planting in your landscape are Indian rice grass, blue grama grass, little bluestem, Indiangrass, and Miscanthus. Native: Introduced: Both: Absent/Unreported: Native, No County Data: ... little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium var. Duration: Perennial. use escape to move to top level menu parent. Fair grazing for livestock and wildlife. Get expert help from The Morton Arboretum Plant Clinic. They also shine in meadows, prairi… Leaves: blades 2–5 mm wide; ligule 1–3 mm long. 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. The small fruit (caryopsis or grains) form along the spikes that held the flowers.  The fruit have a fluffy appearance due to white hairs. The following menu has 3 levels. Noteworthy Characteristics. It is found naturally in a wide range of moist to dry habitats. 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." Illinois bundleflower. Purple-bronze racemes form above the clump of leaves and appear in August. " Â. Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menus and submenus. Little Bluestem grows well on a variety of soil types, including Deep, shallow, sandy, fine textured, and rocky soils. Go to list of cultivars. Jazz (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Jazz'):  2 to 3 feet tall with an upright habit; silvery blue foliage turns mauve purple in fall. Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Little bluestem is a warm-season perennial bunchgrass that grows 2–4 feet in height. It is shorter than many prairie grasses, growing only 2 to 4 feet tall. 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. 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. Can be a co-dominant grass with little bluestem. Little bluestem and side oats grama (Bouteloua grama) are the two most common grasses of the Loess Hills in western Iowa. But almost everywhere that could be plowed has been plowed. One of the most attractive native grasses, and the state grass of Utah, is Indian rice grass. It grows well on uplands or lowlands over a wide range of well drained soils. Indiangrass. Propagate by seed or division. Little Bluestem is a highly ornamental native grass prized for its blue-green leaf color and upright form. 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. 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. Little bluestem typically occurs on dry upland sites, especially on ridges, hilltops, and steep slopes. The grass is an important native hay and forage grass. 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. We grow one species of Schizachyrium, the North American native Schizachyrium scoparium, commonly known as Little Bluestem. Stems turn a straw color when mature. Grasses are adaptable and can grow in poorer soils better than many other garden plants. Some native grass species: Little bluestem. Leaves: Summer/Fall/Winter; Bloom: Late Summer/Fall; Fruit/Seed/Nut: Fall/Winter. Use enter to activate. Explore this online platform for Chicago-area residents to share their favorite stories about trees. Grows in savannahs in moist sandy, sandy loam or clay soil. On several primary branches spikelets can be found, with a reddish-purple color, whether t… It is found in areas receiving 10 to 60 inches of mean annual precipitation and plant hardiness zones 3 to 9. 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. Little Bluestem once dominated our tall and short grass prairies from Canada to Mexico. Big bluestem . 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. Bunchgrass occasionally with short rhizomes. Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menus and submenus. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  This plant suffers from too much mulch near the crown. "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." You can search, browse, and learn more about the plants in our living collections by visiting our BRAHMS website. Fall color can also vary from orange to bronze to reddish.  The fall color is usually very good. This photo was taken in December. Within a submenu, use escape to move to top level menu parent. It is attractive planted en masse and would make an excellent addition to a rain garden. Native to eastern North America. Little bluestem plant is a native grass to North America. In some areas, it is also known as "beard grass." 3), is air salinity tolerant and does best on loamy to clay soils. Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). It has blue-green foliage. No serious pests.  May self seed, sometimes excessively. Adaptation. Little bluestem is a perennial, warm-season, native - 24 to 48 inches tall. It is well-adapted to southern climates as it tolerates high heat and humidity. Read on for little bluestem information so you can decide if this interesting plant is right for your landscape. 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. It performs best in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. But KR bluestem can also have hairy nodes, and the amount of its leaf material varies. Poor grazing for wildlife, but may provide nesting sites for ground-nesting birds. 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. The stems are naked at the top. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), as its name implies, is smaller in stature than its fellow native of similar naming. 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. 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. 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