Formal Landscape

Blue Stem Grass

Schizachyrium

Schizachyrium scoparium ( Little Bluestem )
Also called Andropogon scoparius. A moderate growing, deep-rooted, upright perennial grass, reaching up to 3.5 x 3.5 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, is native to tall grass prairie ecosystems in North America ( from Alberta to Quebec; south to Arizona to Florida ).
The foliage is blue-green, turning coppery-orange to deep red in autumn.
The silvery-pink flower plumes, up to 3 inches in length, are borne mid-summer into early autumn. They are followed by fluffy white seedheads that persist into winter.
Hardy zones 2 to 9 in full sun and requires well drained soil. Easy to grow and tolerant of drought, poor soils, sand, heavy clay, saline and alkaline soils but not wet soil. Deer resistant, it is not prone to pests or disease. Cut back during early spring. Propagation is from seed or division during early spring.

* photo taken on Feb 15 2011 in Howard Co, MD




* photo of unknown internet source


* photo taken by Jennifer Anderson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

* photo taken by L. Glasscock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database Southern wetland flora

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database


Blaze
Reaches up to 4.2 x 2.5 feet, with blue-foliage that turns to intense-red during autumn, then to bright pink during winter.

Blue Heaven
Vigorous and more upright in habit, reaching up to 4 x 3 feet with deep blue foliage that tinges reddish later in summer then finally to intense red, violet or purple during autumn.

The Blues
Forms a clump, up to 3 x 4 feet high of intense-blue, soft, hairy foliage that becomes tinted deep red during autumn. Looks great in mass plantings on berms and for erosion control.
The soft, pinkish seed heads reach up to 5 feet in height.

* photo taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photos taken on Aug 25 2013 @ University of Maryland, College Park

* photo taken on Sep 14 2013 in Columbia, MD


Standing Ovation
Strongly upright, not flopping over, reaching up to 4 x 1.5 feet.
The foliage is intense blue-green and the stems are tinged deep purple.
During autumn the foliage turns to intense yellow, orange and red.

* photo taken on Sep 23 2013 in Burtonsville, MD