Photo: Blackstem Plants

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Schizachyrium scoparium 'Prairie Blues'

Little bluestem

The dried leaves of the Bluestem grasses were once used by Native Indians for winter insulation in their moccasins. Only 1% of the prairie habitat remains so we hope they've acquired some good thick socks. 

At home on the range or as billowy clumps in the garden, this is a seed selection of the native species. 

It grows to mid height with clouds of silver-white seed-heads held above blue-green needle like stems. 

Following frost, the stems turns bronze-red and will stand throughout the early winter. 

All the bluestem grasses are very neat and tidy, forming narrow, needle like clumps. 

'Prairie Blues' is exceptionally compact and a good choice where space is limited. 

Tolerant of thin, poor soils and drought. Deciduous.