little bluestem

Water your Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation') plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil have become dry. During the warmer season water your plant every 5-7 days. During the cooler months you can reduce the watering frequency to once every 10-14 days. Soak the soil completely and water until it starts to drain from the bottom of the container. Make sure to follow up with a deep watering if there has been no rainfall.

Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation') needs full sun or light shade and at least 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth. It can even tolerate up to 8 hours of sunlight but should be protected from intense midday heat. It should not be placed under the shade of trees or buildings as this will inhibit growth. Provide the plant with bright, indirect sunlight or partial shade all day long and place it in a south- or west-facing area for an ideal amount of light.

Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation') should be pruned annually to maintain its shape and vigor. Prune in the spring after the initial flush of new growth has begun to take shape. Start by removing any dead or dying stems and foliage. Then thin out old stems, branches, and foliage to open up the plant and encourage new growth. Pruning should use light shears for weaker stems and heavier shears for thicker stems. Prune back the stems to about 6-8 inches at most to promote bushy growth and new stem shoots. When pruning, make sure not to remove more than 1-third of the overall foliage. Pruning should be done in moderation to maintain a healthy balance for the plant.