little bluestem

Little Bluestem is a drought tolerant species and requires very little water to survive. It should only be watered when the soil is very dry, about 2 inches into the topsoil. During the summer, it may require watering once a week if temperatures are above 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the soil is not receiving enough natural rainfall. In colder months watering can be decreased to once every 2 to 3 weeks. If temperatures drop below freezing, watering should be suspended until temperatures rise again. Too much water can damage the plant’s roots.

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Carousel') is a warm season, clump-forming grass that prefers full sun and well-drained soils. This plant species can tolerate some shade but will reach its fullest potential in areas with 6 or more hours of direct sunlight every day. Little Bluestem is usually planted in early spring and will flower from late summer to mid-fall, so it should be given consistent amounts of sunlight during this period. During the hottest months of summer, when the sun is strong, you may want to consider providing Little Bluestem with some afternoon shade.

Little Bluestem 'Carousel' can tolerate a wide range of pruning, though light clipping can take place in early spring to promote denser, fuller growth. Pruning should be done before new growth starts in the spring, usually in late winter or early spring. Removing up to a third of the older, larger stems is recommended, cutting them back to a height of 3-5 inches from the base. Doing so encourages vibrant, healthy new growth and can be combined with other forms of maintenance, such as weed control and mulching.