DESCRIPTION:

This sturdy selection forms a towering, columnar clump of striking silver-blue stems; airy, plum colored plumes appear in late summer; deep wine purple fall color; perfect as a landscape accent, or along borders

BOTANICAL NAME: Schizachyrium scoparium 'Prairie Blues'
AVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 18" (45 cm)
AVERAGE MATURE SPREAD: 18" (45 cm)60 cm
SUN EXPOSURE:  Full Sun
FLOWER COLOUR: 
FLOWERING TIME: 
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COLD HARDINESS: Zone 3a
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Ornamental Features

Prairie Blues Little Bluestem features airy plumes of plum purple flowers rising above the foliage from late summer to late fall. Its attractive grassy leaves are bluish-green in colour with hints of silvery blue. As an added bonus, the foliage turns gorgeous shades of burgundy and plum purple in the fall. The brown seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from late summer to mid fall. The silvery blue stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

Landscape Attributes

Prairie Blues Little Bluestem is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cut back to the ground in late winter before active growth resumes. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Prairie Blues Little Bluestem is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Prairie Blues Little Bluestem will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for alkaline soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.