Schizachyrium scoparium

Little Bluestem is a clumping warm season grass in the Poaceae family. In full sun, this plant can get up to four feet tall and slightly less wide. Blue-green linear leaves turn golden to orange in fall and persist in winter, adding winter interest to the garden. Like many of our native grasses, it has a deep tap root that helps it reach water deep beyond the earth’s surface. Additionally, this deep root system helps with erosion control and makes it drought resistant once established. Birds love eating the purplish bronze seeds, and Little Bluestem is a host plant for Common Wood Nymph larvae. This grass is resistant to deer and black walnut, making it a contender for a variety of spaces given it gets adequate sunlight.