Product Description. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) - Little Bluestem grass seed easily grows to produce one of the most popular ornamental grasses on the market today, and it is widely used in landscaping. It is the single best amendment to your soil that can be added. Excellent in massed plantings. The genus name "Schizachyrium" comes from the Latin words for "split chaff," referring to the unique structure of the seed heads. Her with a love of HOME DECOR DIY. link to Composting 101 - What is Compost? Primary growth occurs from mid spring through summer, reaching maximum height in July. A small, non-spreading, clump-forming grass with blue-green leaves that turn reddish orange in the fall. Seasons of Interest: Leaves: Summer/Fall/Winter; Bloom: Late Summer/Fall; Fruit/Seed/Nut: Fall/Winter Wildlife: Little bluestem seed is eaten by songbirds and upland gamebirds. Little bluestem exhibits very poor seedling vigor (survival index= 1.8, 1 - very poor, 5 – excellent) and this may limit its use in restoration efforts [4]. Seeds per Pound: 240,000. Some gardeners choose to remove the seed fluff to control the spread of young seedlings. We are recommending Little Bluestem as an ornamental (un-mowed) grass in landscapes in New Mexico because it is so well adapted and attractive. 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. This research investigated the seedling growth of three little bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx. It is adapted to a wide variety of soils and soil moisture and can withstand some shading. There are approximately 270,000 clean seeds in one pound of little bluestem. It normally grows 1-3’ in height. Little bluestem is a highly variable species that, in the past, has been divided into many varieties, forms, and subspecies. $70.00. Little bluestem begins growth later in the spring after the cool-season species have already developed. I enjoy designing/building projects (with hand tools when I can!). Perennial. Description. Use freely in sunny borders, native plant gardens, naturalized areas, prairies and meadows. Grow in dry to moderate soil moisture in full sun. Other insects that feed on Little Bluestem include grasshoppers, Prairie … Many internet sources and people over-complicate the art of making compost. Additionally, it is an excellent grass to grow for attracting wildlife, as numerous beneficial insects feed on the foliage. Little bluestem with fruits. View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more! Grows 2 to 3 feet at maturity with the seedhead adding another 1 to 2 feet in height. Due to its deep and large root system, it will be very drought tolerant and an excellent choice for dry areas. Growth begins late in the spring and continues through the summer. Color – Purplish, sometimes brownish. Can grow in almost any soil as long as it drains well. to have the soil moisture necessary for seedling establishment. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a prairie bunchgrass very important in quail restoration projects.Can have bluish color on the stems in spring and summer, and reddish tan color in the fall. Starts its growth in the late spring. You may unsubscribe at any time. PLANT DESCRIPTION: Schizachyrium scoparium ‘The Blues’ is a warm season bunch grass with a narrow upright habit. This is an excellent short grass for the garden. The seed may be the best identifying aid. Item# 388. The leaves flattened … It is found in areas receiving 10 to 60 inches of mean annual precipitation and plant hardiness zones 3 to 9. Big Bluestem Little Bluestem Switchgrass Indiangrass Eastern Gamagrass Plants usually grow 1 to 4 feet tall. When to sow outside: 2 to 4 weeks before average last frost. Please note, it can become invasive in a well-manicured garden, as the seeds freely blow around. Price listed is for 334 seedlings. Little bluestem typically occurs on dry upland sites, especially on ridges, hilltops, and steep slopes. A smaller grass than Big Bluestem, it is slightly less palatable, but more drought resistant. Fertility doesn’t seem to matter, as it can grow in hard clay, black loam, or even somewhat sandy soil. Seeds are fuzzy and white at maturity and great value to small birds. long. Little Bluestem is a perennial grass plant that is Native to North America that reaches a height of 3′ (1 m). Use freely in sunny borders, native plant gardens, naturalized areas, prairies and meadows. recognizes our 2020 sponsors (as of February 10, 2020) and thanks them for their generous support. Warm-season grass forage quality Forage quality measurements (protein, fiber, digestibility) of warm-season grasses have consistently been lower than measurements for cool-season grasses at the same growth stage. Rapid seedling development increases the probability of stand establishment. Product Detail Warm season perennial Nutritious grazing High forage producer Adapts to many soil types Medium height grass Product Information It provides nutritious grazing during the growing season and is a high forage producer. Check your USDA garden zone. Caucasian Bluestem Little Bluestem Bothriochloa bladhii Schizachyrium scoparium areas where nothing else can grow. Flowers, fruits & pollinators. Tolerates heat and humidity easily. Provides food and cover for wildlife. We are a husband and wife duo. At home on the range or in your yard. The seed of Little Bluestem is small and fuzzy with twisted awns. The plant has excellent drought and fair shad… Regions: 1,2,3,4,5,6. link to Composting 102 - Building a Basic Compost Pile, How To Make a Micro-Prairie Wildflower Garden, How to Remove Sod by Hand – Our Easy Method, Blue / green in Spring Summer, Bronze/Brown in Winter, Backyard Micro-prairie, Wildflower garden, Erosion Control, Naturalizing. Sometimes the differences are striking from site to site and even within a single population; some plants are bluish gray with a waxy coating while others are green and lack the coating. The plant needs supplemental water in early establishment stages, but thereafter is quite self-sufficient except in severe drought. The foliage is also eatenby many beneficial insects, giving this plant high ecological value Caucasian bluestem is a small blue-gray grass, with flowering stems that can reach 1 to 3 feet high. Some gardeners choose to remove the seed fluff to control the spread of young seedlings. Leaves become reddish-brown at maturity. Seedlings emerge in 10-14 days As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. There are no serious pest or disease threats to little bluestem plants. $70.00. Conifers; Hardwoods; Containerized Understory Grasses & Herbaceous Species ; Species Index; home | seedling distribution | … Found throughout the lower provinces of Canada and all states of the U.S., except Nevada and Washington. We hope to provide you with handy how-tos to start or enhance your own home gardens, as well as provide you with plans on how to make some popular home decor projects, both easily & inexpensively. Excellent in massed plantings. You don’t need to fertilize this plant to have it grow well. Bluestems are warm season grasses that start leaf growth in the late spring. Home > Containerized Understory Grasses & Herbaceous Species > Little Bluestem. 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