
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
Little Bluestem is one of the most loved of the native North American prairie grasses. Prairie Blues is a variety that holds its exceptional silvery-blue color late in the summer before turning a fiery orange for the fall and winter. The downy seed heads and colorful foliage make for good dried flower arrangements as well as an interesting addition to a vase of fresh cut flowers.
Prairie Blues Little Bluestem has a nice compact height and width that rarely needs staking or pruning during the summer. This perennial looks great mixed in with other ornamental grasses or used in a large group to provide a huge hit of color in a modern urban planting scheme. Little Bluestem are extremely tolerant of drought, poor soil, wind and deer. This plant also has great resistance to pests and disease and only requires minimal maintenance after being well established.
Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Care
Prairie Blues Little Bluestem will have the best color when planted in full sun. Shade early in the day or late in the afternoon is acceptable. A moist, well drained soil will help the roots establish well. Additional watering the first 2 years will be necessary. When mature, this grass is very drought tolerant.
Annual Maintenance is very simple and straightforward. Cut back to 6-8 inches above the soil late in the winter or early summer as the new growth begins. Regular dividing will help to keep Prairie Blues growing vigorously. Every 3-4 years in the late summer, clumps can be dug up and separated into smaller pieces. Water the new plants in well and mulch lightly with leaves or organic compost to protect for the first winter.
Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Spacing
Prairie Blues Little Bluestem is considered a medium sized grass and is easily worked into the middle of any planted border or looks great on its own as a specimen in a container on a deck or patio. The mature height is 3-5 feet and the spread is 18-24 inches. Spacing plants at 20 inches on center is recommended. Plant this grass in a 16 inch diameter pot or larger.
Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 8 |
Plant Type: |
Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 36 - 40 Inches |
Mature Spread: 18 - 24 Inches |
Spacing: 18 - 24 Inches |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): White |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
Foliage Color(s): Blue |
Foliage Description: Multi-color |
Seasonal Interest: Fall Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: Drought |
Attracts: Bees |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Containers, Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance, Native to North America |
Brand: |
Common Name: Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: SCHIZACHYRIUM SCOPARIUM `PRAIRIE BLUES` |
- SKU:
- 1231004941-pc
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.

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

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

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

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

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

Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
All bushes, perennials & trees come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.