Planting blue stem grass full#

Once established, it will only need occasional supplemental water in the summer. It tends to go dormant without moisture, so the best appearance is preserved with weekly watering, especially those plants in containers.įountain grass is considered drought tolerant. The plant needs supplemental water in early establishment stages, but thereafter is quite self-sufficient except in severe drought. Water new plants regularly over the summer to establish drought tolerance. Add a layer of organic compost around the root zone to conserve moisture. Backfill the hole with native soil and water thoroughly to fill in any air gaps around the roots.

Set the crowns slightly above the soil surface to prevent crown rot. Find a sunny location with well-draining soil, and dig a hole just wide enough for the root ball. They do not tolerate standing water or very alkaline soils. They adapt to various soil conditions, including dry, poor, clay, gritty, sandy, and average soils.

Planting blue stem grass full#

These grasses create beautiful waves of color and movement when planted in drifts for a meadow or prairie garden.īluestem grasses perform best in full sun, with at least 6 – 8 hours of direct sunlight per day, although big bluestem can tolerate partial shade. Various cultivars with outstanding color and hardiness qualities are now commonly available in garden centers. These are warm-season grasses that do most of their growing during the warm summer months and go dormant in late fall to winter. They form arching, upright clumps that flower in the summer. Otherwise, the two species have very similar cultural requirements and are easy to grow.īluestem grasses are native prairie grasses that are often used for erosion control and restoration plantings. Big bluestem varieties can reach 8 feet high and spread by rhizomes. As the name implies, little bluestem is much smaller than big bluestem and only reaches between 1 and 3 feet high. It can be propagated by division.In the nursery trade, bluestem grasses consist mostly of little bluestem ( Schizachyrium scoparium ) and big bluestem ( Andropogon gerardii ). This species is native to parts of North America. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen! As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. Little Bluestem will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity extending to 32 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches.

Little Bluestem is recommended for the following landscape applications It has no significant negative characteristics. This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best cut back to the ground in late winter before active growth resumes. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect. Little Bluestem is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. The brick red stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant. It has masses of beautiful spikes of deep purple flowers rising above the foliage in late summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous orange in the fall. Its attractive grassy leaves are bluish-green in color. The antique red seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from early fall to late winter. Little Bluestem is primarily grown for its highly ornamental fruit. This dwarf, clump forming, warm season native features a unique rounded shape and resistance to lodging blue-green blades with a purplish-bronze bloom a true kaleidoscope of autumn color