Learn where and how to plant it and make it part of your prairie or perennial garden.
This ornamental bunchgrass is native across eastern North America.
This practice gives native insects time to emerge from their winter habitat in the garden.
Credit:Denny Schrock
The crimson fall color is representative of the diverse prairie where the range of colors is remarkable.
Finding little bluestem plants in a prairie is always a happy surprise.
Where to Plant Little Bluestem
Plant little bluestem in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9.
Credit: Bob Stefko
Use in the center or front of garden beds and naturalized areas.
This prairie plant grows in sunny areas and in loam and sandy soils.
The plant will flop in rich soils and in shade or when shaded by taller plants.
Credit:Kritsada Panichgul
It does poorly in heavy clay soil.
When adding taller plants, place them so they will not create shade or crowd shorter species.
Use large groups of at least three to seven plants, depending on the size of the garden.
Credit:Bob Stefko
The foliage and flowers turn reddish to yellowish orange in the fall.
The seedheads have the appearance of an old mans beard when planted in groups.
The flowers add beauty to bouquets.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
The plant is used to restore damaged wilderness.
Nursery-grown transplants of little bluestem are planted in the spring.
Don’t be surprised by the bedraggled appearance of the container-grown plants.
Once planted in deep soil, they will pick up over the growing season.
Place the plant in the center of the hole and backfill with original soil.
Tamp down the soil and water immediately to remove any air pockets.
Continue watering the new plant regularly in the absence of frequent rain until you see new vigorous growth.
Space plants 12-18 inches apart if you want to plant little bluestem in groups.
Light
As undemanding as it is to grow little bluestem, a location infull sunis a must.
Soil and Water
Little bluestem is adaptable to sand and loam soils and drought tolerant.
Amend clay soils to allow them to drain well.
Temperature and Humidity
This ornamental grass grows in a wide geographical range in Zones 3-10.
It tolerates hot summers, high humidity, and cold winters.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing is minimal if its necessary at all.
If the soil is rich, little bluestem wont need fertilizer at all.
In early spring use hedge shears to cut it back to about three inches above the soil.
Be patient; little bluestem won’t send up new foliage until late spring.
Fill it with a combination of well-draining potting soil and compost.
It is rarely browsed by deer.
For little bluestem, propagation from seeds is usually the best way to make more plants.
Fill seedling trays with damp potting mix and plant the seeds no deeper than 14 inch.
Gradually harden off the seedings before planting them outside in the late spring.
To seed a larger area, verify the soil is free of weeds and debris.
Some of the color persists through the winter.
The grass grows 2 to 3 feet tall with an upright growth habit.
‘Itasca’
This variety is an ecotype native to Minnesota.
It grows up to 4 feet tall with roots that grow up to twice times as deep.
It blooms from August through October and develops purple seedheads.
It attracts butterflies and is especially popular with sweat bees, smallcarpenter bees, bumble bees, and honeybees.
The orange flower adds brightness to the garden throughout the summer.
The leaves turn golden or orange in fall, then change to coppery brown in winter.
Their blossoms and nutritious seeds drawpollinators, birds, and other wildlife.
Like a true prairie, this garden plan needsfull sun.
It has a high wildlife value.
Little bluestem is one of the best grasses for nesting and roosting of birds.
Its seeds are eaten by songbirds and gamebirds.
The grass is the larval host for several skipper butterfly species.
