The Blues Little Bluestem Grass

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

3-5 Feet

Mature Spread

1-2 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 9

The Blues little bluestem is an exceptionally adaptable, low-maintenance ornamental grass that provides stellar year-round interest. This cultivar is noteworthy for its exceptional blue color in summer and coppery orange tones in fall. Flowers appear on branched stems in late summer. They are followed by clusters of attractive silvery-white, feathery seed heads that persist into winter.

Little bluestem is native to North America and was once the most dominant prairie grass, making it an excellent selection for native and bird-friendly landscapes. Drought tolerant and with few care needs, this plant is a workhorse in sun-baked areas. It fits in perfectly in meadow or prairie style plantings and fills in quickly as a mass planting. Shorter than many other ornamental grass selections, it works as a border or in cottage gardens without dwarfing nearby plants.

The Blues Little Bluestem Care

This ornamental grass grows best in a site with full sunlight. Once established, it is drought tolerant and requires only very occasional watering during dry periods. Fertilizer needs are minimal. Too little sun and too much water or fertilizer has a tendency to make the plant flop over. The Blues little bluestem has great heat, humidity, and cold tolerance and easily grows in a range of soils but prefers good drainage.

For pruning, simply cut or mow the little bluestem just above ground level when you see new growth start to emerge in late winter or spring. 

The Blues Little Bluestem Spacing

The Blues Little Bluestem grows two to three feet tall with a similar spread. Position these little bluestems two feet apart, center on center, to create a filled-in mass planting within a few growing seasons.