Found throughout the lower provinces of Canada and all states of the U.S., except Nevada and Washington. When to sow outside: 2 to 4 weeks before average last frost. Leaves: blades 2–5 mm wide; ligule 1–3 mm long. Other photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk. The ligule is small and 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. The nursery is open by appointment, Monday through Friday. We have four clumps started from SWCD. nursery@littlebluestem.net. 434-227-2317. State Grass > Facts Kansas State Grass: Little Bluestem Facts. Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, part shade, sun; average to dry, sandy soil; prairies, dunes, roadsides, railroads, open woods. Little bluestem is a tufted, warm-season, perennial grass broadly distributed and native to the U.S. and Canada. Seedheads of Little Bluestem: The anthers and feathery stigmas are purplish in color and quite tiny, perhaps at most 2 mm in length. Nash – little bluestem Subordinate Taxa. The wild form here and there along Old Highway 61. You can also view a clickable map. It will grow on a wide variety of soils but is very well adapted to well-drained, medium to dry, infertile soils. Schizachyrium is tough and adaptable, tolerant of a range of moisture conditions from average to nearly arid. Catalog. 0579. Help support this site ~ Information for sponsor opportunities. The entire spikelet eventually falls off. 332 likes. Little Bluestem grows well on a variety of soil types, including Deep, shallow, sandy, fine textured, and rocky soils. Growing little bluestem grass in the landscape as an ornamental foliage plant provides a dimensional and architectural foil for broad leaved and flowering plants. About Our Mission. Welcome. An email address is required, but will not be posted—it will only be used for information exchange between the 2 of us (if needed) and will never be given to a 3rd party without your express permission. Thanks for your understanding. Little Bluestem can grow in almost any soil type that drains. Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues' SKU. Outstanding eastern native meadow species. 13 Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium About this plant: Warm-season, perennial bunch grass. The culms are tan or reddish brown, hairless, and terete; the base of each culm is erect, rather than decumbent across the ground. Grows up to 2-4 ft. tall (60-120 cm) and 18-24 in. Schizachyrium scoparium is the botanical name for little bluestem plant. A small town eatery serving coffee, in-house baked goods, breakfast, and lunch. Native to U.S. and Canada. The Plants Database includes the following 3 subspecies of Schizachyrium scoparium . Tolerate of both alkaline and acid soils. Little bluestem is an upright grass that grows from 2 to 4 feet tall. It is taller, stiffer with thick stems, and powder blue leaves. The spikelets spread out as they mature, the hairs on the stalks spreading as well, the spike taking on a feathery look and often arching. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. Ornamental grasses have become very popular over the last several years. This is a warm season grass, so … Leaves are crowded on the lower part of the stem with few on the upper plant. The sheath is open, forming a long “V” at the front, and usually hairless. 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. Good grazing for livestock. They establish quickly on disturbed soilsperfect for banks, slopes, and restorations. Today I Frost Seeded one pound of Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) seed into three prairie patches on Planet Mojo! 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. It is often grown in gardens as an ornamental, in part due to the attractive bronze color of its leaves in autumn. Stems take on a tan or reddish color in fall and persist through winter. little studio, deep roots. It is characterized by the clump forming growth, most of the stalked spikelets being sterile (not staminate), and leaf blades and sheaths typically hairless, occasionally short-hairy. It … Clumping plants produce half-inch wide leaves on upright stems in a unique light blue coloring. (45-60 cm). Decreases with heavy grazing. Ligule of Little Bluestem: The ligule is membranous, and the fluffy white seed heads that rise in zip zag fashion is another identifier of the species. Above: Photograph by Erutuon via Flickr. Height: 2 to 4 feet Leaf blade: Flat 6 to 10 inches long; 1/8 to ¼ inch wide Leaf sheath: Mostly basal; strongly keeled; hairy or smooth Ligule: Ring of short hair on some plants. Little Bluestem cultivates a resilient future for Central Virginia’s land and people- human and otherwise. The only area it can’t grow is very high elevations above 5000-6000 feet, and along coastal beaches. A pretty grass, Little Bluestem is another iconic species of prairies that once covered much of Minnesota. Good grazing for livestock. A single spike-like cluster at the tip of each branch and at the top of the stem. Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it? 40 Farfields Lane Afton, VA 22902. As it matures to a height of 2 or more feet, it develops a distinctive blue-green color which eventually becomes striking bronze-orange or even burgundy in autumn. 434-227-2317. Browse Our Catalog . Be that as it may, var. It is a clumping grass. Plants grow in large, tight clumps and sometimes spread through short rhizomes. The plant has excellent drought and fair shad… Facts about Little Bluestem. Little bluestem is found throughout Canada and the U.S. except Nevada and Washington. Spikes are 1 to 3 inches long, ascending to erect, typically purplish. Be the first to review this product. As farmer-florists, we delight in planting seeds, tending flowers, and arranging bouquets. Web design and content copyright © 2006-2020 MinnesotaWildflowers.info. Spikelets (flower clusters) are in pairs all along the spike; 1 stalkless spikelet containing a single fertile, perfect flower (both male and female parts) and usually 1 stalked sterile spikelet that is smaller than the fertile spikelet, occasionally containing a single male flower. Little bluestem is a perennial, warm-season, native - 24 to 48 inches tall. It is also an important component of tallgrass prairies. I don't think it should be planted. Inflorescence with numerous lateral branches each bearing a single spike 3–6 cm long; rachis and pedicels long hairy along margins. We grow one species of Schizachyrium, the North American native Schizachyrium scoparium, commonly known as Little Bluestem. Our nursery grows, shares, and teaches about native plants. Spikelet stalks are usually densely covered in fine hairs that are initially appressed but spread out as the spikelets mature. Little bluestem is common in New England in a variety of habitats including grasslands, woodlands and rock outcrops. The plant is also aggressive and crowds out other native plants. The inflorescence has small, fuzzy seeds with a twisted awn; they are partially enclosed in a leaf sheath. Native Introduced Native and Introduced. 1535 Little Bluestem Ct Unit 42, Ames, IA 50014-7853 is currently not for sale. The seed that develops in the fertile spikelet is purplish brown, narrowly spindle shaped with a long taper to a pointed tip, and about as long as the spikelet. The plant turns a red or bronze-orange cast after frost. See Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 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. Primary growth occurs from mid spring through summer, reaching maximum height in July. Your Name: Little Bluestem! The culm (stem) is erect and hairless with many short branches and is often bluish to purple. It is a perennial warm-season grass with pretty bluish-green color followed by rust colored fall foliage and fluffy white seed heads. Leaves are flat or folded lengthwise, green to blue-green, up to 10 inches long and about ¼ inch wide, sometimes finely hairy but usually hairless except for sparse, long spreading hairs near the base. scoparium is one that is widely accepted, common throughout North America, and is the species found in Minnesota. Grows on upland and bottomland sites and is a dominant grass on tallgrass prairies. Little bluestem is one of the most abundant grasses in Kansas, and it has significant economic importance in the Flint Hills region. Sign up for our Spring Veggie and Meat subscriptions before it's too late! Featured. To print the information on this page, download Little Bluestem Facts (PDF). This bunchgrass has flattened sheaths, blades and stems. 434-227-2317. Its roots, which grow 5-8 feet long, enable it to resist moderate drought conditions. The plant is purplish to bluish green in summer and turns orangish red in winter. See the glossary for icon descriptions. Densely mounded, Little Bluestem reaches …. Little Bluestem is a small family farm and floral design studio in central Mississippi, specializing in field-grown cut flowers. Little Bluestem is a highly ornamental native grass prized for its blue-green leaf color and upright form. Click below on a thumbnail map or name for subspecies profiles. Little bluestem gets its name from a tinge of blue that appears at the base of its slender, flat blue-green leaves in spring. We are passionate about people + places. The Kansas Legislature designated Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, as the State Grass in 2010 at the urging of Kansas school children and the Kansas Native Plant society. This townhouse was built in 1994 and last sold on 8/13/2020 for $10,500. Good drought tolerance. The foliage provides excellent color all season-long and creates the perfect backgrop for prairie flowers. Photos by K. Chayka taken in Anoka and Ramsey counties. Seeds mature in the fall. (They dry well, by the way.) (Redirected from Little bluestem) Schizachyrium scoparium, commonly known as little bluestem or beard grass, is a North American prairie grass native to most of the United States, except California, Nevada, and Oregon, and a small area north of the Canada–US border. Little bluestem is a warm-season perennial bunchgrass that grows 2–4 feet in height. It is able to grow on both acidic and alkaline soils. View your list. Little Bluestem. Web Site Maintenance: Megan.Clayton@ag.tamu.edu, Equal Opportunity for Educational Programs Statement. Can be sown in the early fall so plants get established before winter and get an early start on spring. Providing a very long season of interest, Little Bluestem is easy to grow, tolerates heat, drought and humidity. Comment (max 1000 characters): Note: Comments or information about plants outside of Minnesota and neighboring states may not be posted because I’d like to keep the focus of this web site centered on Minnesota. Little bluestem grows in a wide range of soil types as long as they are not wet. ), please check the links and invasive species pages for additional resources. Poor grazing for wildlife, but may provide nesting sites for ground-nesting birds. It will grow best and reach its largest size in full sun. The lemma (bract at the base of a flower) of the fertile flower has an awn about 5/8 inch long that is slightly twisted and bent near its base. Typically occurs on dry upland sites, hilltops, and prairies. Please call ahead when planning a visit. It is adapted to many different soil types ranging from sandy to clay-loam textures but struggled in wetland areas. Current Page: Little Bluestem Summer Catalog 2020 Place an Order Place an Order. Leaves are flat, often folded along the midrib, 6–10 inches long, less than ¼-inch wide, and bluish-green through early summer until stems begin to form. A pretty grass, Little Bluestem is another iconic species of prairies that once covered much of Minnesota. They also shine in meadows, prairi… : 02 - Gulf Prairies and Marshes, 03 - Post Oak Savannah, 04 - Blackland Prairies, 05 - Cross Timbers and Prairies, 06 - South Texas Plains, 07 - Edwards Plateau, 08 - Rolling Plains, 09 - High Plains, 10 - Trans-Pecos. Distribution Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Grass family (Poaceae) Description: This perennial grass is 2-3' tall and densely tufted at the base. As an added bonus, songbirds and gamebirds enjoy the seeds and it provides cover for foraging wildlife. Seeds mature in the fall. Personally, I do not not think it is a wild form but a selection from some nursery-grown crops. 680 likes. Your email address: (required) You don’t need to fertilize this plant to have it grow well. Due to its deep and large root system, it will be very drought tolerant and an excellent choice for dry areas. Spikelets: sessile spikelets 6–8 mm long, glumes purplish to greenish, acute. The glumes (pair of bracts at the base of a spikelet) of the fertile spikelet are ¼ to 3/8 inch long and equal in length, narrowly lance-elliptic with a sharply pointed tip. The leaf sheath has a ligule. Little bluestem is a perennial, warm-season, native - 24 to 48 inches tall. Catalog. Where in Minnesota? It is an attractive addition to the landscape and can be used as an accent in borders, or in drifts in natural settings where it will mix happily with prairie wildflowers. The foliage of this natural beauty adds a kaleidoscope of pastel colors in summer and coppery tones in fall. The ligule (membrane where the leaf joins the sheath) is white to brownish and up to 2 mm long. The Blues Little Bluestem. Little Bluestem Landscape Architecture + Design is a small landscape architecture studio located in Winnipeg, Canada. Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest. It is a host plant for several native butterflies and is popular in the … We focus on the importance of creating special spaces for our clients, users, stakeholder groups, and … Schizachyrium scoparium var. This 3-foot-tall bunchgrass grows a foot in di… Stem: Basal; flat; purplish during early growth Seedhead: Racemes borne singly, in pairs, or in The inflorescence has small, fuzzy seeds with a twisted awn; they are partially enclosed in a leaf sheath. It also occurs on limey subirrigated sites and in prairie fens. nursery@littlebluestem.net. One of the most widely distributed native grasses in North America. Note: All comments are moderated before posting to keep the riff-raff out. The sterile spikelet has a much shorter awn. This item has been added to your wishlist. There are at least 3 recognized varieties of Schizachyrium scoparium (sometimes more depending on the reference), though the specific list varies and is apparently not universally accepted due to the wide natural variations of this species. Seasons of Interest: Leaves: Summer/Fall/Winter; Bloom: Late Summer/Fall; Fruit/Seed/Nut: Fall/Winter Pick an image for a larger view. For info on subjects other than plant identification (gardening, invasive species control, edible plants, etc. Little Bluestem Farm. It also is slower to respond to shortening daylight hours in late summer. The plant is purplish to bluish green in summer and turns orangish red in winter. This warm-season grass’ native prairie habitat has almost disappeared, but don’t worry. Distribution refers to the ecological region in Texas that a plant has been found. ft. townhouse is a 3 bed, 1.5 bath unit. Catalog. It is a host plant for several native butterflies and is popular in the garden trade as well as restoration projects. This is their second year. The 1,123 sq. The time has come! Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)I read on Botanical Interests‘ site, the place I bought my seeds, that I should start little bluestem indoors 10-12 weeks before the last frost (April 29 in our area):. Funding provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. Local Business. nursery@littlebluestem.net. This grass plant is great for stabilizing ba… Plant Care. Little bluestem typically occurs on dry upland sites, especially on ridges, hilltops, and steep slopes. Little Bluestem Summer Catalog 2020 Place an Order nursery@littlebluestem.net (434) 227-2317. 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