Species little bluestem
green-brown foliage

little bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blue Paradise' PRAIRIE WINDS

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blue Paradise') is a warm season grass native to the prairies of North America. It has foliage that appears bluish-green in the summer, quickly turning to a bright bronze in the fall. It produces a new batch of flowers during the summer months in the form of pinkish-red flower panicles. Its dense, tight clumps are ornamental, and the grass benefits from an annual mowing that will help reduce weeds and set off its vivid autumn colours. 'Blue Paradise' PRAIRIE WINDS is a special cultivar with taller stems, fuller seed heads, and extra bluish hue. It's an easy to maintain, drought and disease tolerant grass, perfect for small gardens or landscape.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 9

Flowers:

Purple-brown maturing to silvery white Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

silver

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Little bluestem 'Blue Paradise' PRAIRIE WINDS should be watered deeply whenever the top inch of soil has dried out. This species prefers moist soil, so watering on a weekly basis is recommended if the soil has gone completely dry. For potted plants, they should be watered until excess water runs through the drainage hole. During the growing season, the plant should be kept evenly moist. For the growing season, begin reducing water during the season as this species prefers drier conditions during the fall and winter months.

sunlight

Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blue Paradise' PRAIRIE WINDS) prefers full sun for optimum growth and vigor, meaning that it should be placed in a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. For maximum growth and flowering, bluestem grasses should receive full sun throughout the day, during the warmer months of the year. During the cooler months, some shade may be beneficial, as too much direct sunlight during cold temperatures can be damaging to the plant.

pruning

Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blue Paradise' PRAIRIE WINDS) should be pruned in spring and then again in early summer to promote bushy, full growth. Trim the shoots just above where the new leaf shoots emerge. Prune just enough of the longest shoots to keep the plant relatively short and to encourage the growth of new, side shoots. It is best to remove no more than 1-third of the shoots. This will ensure that the plant remains healthy and will thrive.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Little bluestem typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Little bluestem typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map