Brush Strokes Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Brush Strokes’) enlivens sunny gardens with upright, powder-blue stems that shift to wine-red come autumn. Its narrow foliage remains elegantly vertical, swaying in the breeze but bouncing back to form a neat, 32- to 36-inch-tall clump. This native perennial grass offers texture and movement from late summer through winter, producing stiff, bristly seed heads that stay standing into colder months. Brush Strokes resists deer browsing and tolerates heat, drought, and challenging soils where other plants fail, making it a top choice for impactful low-maintenance plantings.
In addition to its appealing color changes, Brush Strokes Little Bluestem is prized for its easygoing habit and ability to anchor eroded areas with its strong root system. Its origins in North America endow it with adaptability and resilience, so it thrives in hot, dry landscapes or along slopes and roadsides. Use it in mass plantings for a striking sea of swaying stems, or spotlight it in borders, rock gardens, and containers as a focal accent. Its architectural form, combined with soft, airy foliage, complements both modern and cottage-style designs.
Brush Strokes Little Bluestem Care
Plant in full sun, ensuring at least six hours of direct light daily for the best color and best overall growth. Provide average to moderately fertile, well-drained soil, though this grass tolerates lean, sandy, or rocky substrates. Water regularly during the first growing season to encourage a robust root system, but reduce watering once it’s established. Fertilizer is typically unnecessary; too much nitrogen can weaken stems. A thin layer of mulch helps conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds without holding excess moisture against the roots.
Deadheading isn’t required, as the bristly seed heads provide fall and winter interest. If needed, cut back old stems to ground level in late winter or early spring to allow fresh shoots to emerge. This grass performs well in containers if given a large enough pot and proper drainage. In colder climates, keep container-grown plants in a sheltered spot to help protect roots from freezing temperatures.
Brush Strokes Little Bluestem Spacing
Space individual plants about two feet apart when creating a row or mass planting, leaving enough room for each clump to sway without overcrowding. Tighter spacing of 18 inches can create a denser, more dramatic stand, but ensure sufficient airflow and sunlight exposure. For container growing, choose a pot at least 12 to 14 inches in diameter, allowing the root system enough space to expand.
- SKU:
- 1231021278-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations