Little Bluestem - Prairie Native

Little Bluestem is perhaps the most popular native grass in the USA.  It's beautiful blue-green foliage turns coppery red in the fall and provides wonderful winter interest. This is a must native plant for anyone who wants to encourage wildlife and beneficial insects as it provides tons of cover and forage. It was the most dominant of all the grasses 100 years ago across the United States and of course Canada.  The only states it is not native to is California, Nevada, Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii. This can be used for forage but if hayed, it does need to go to rest every few years or it will die off. 

This is a very hardy perennial and easily survives down to USDA Zone 3.  Schizachyrium scoparium

Characteristics: 

• Hardy to zone 3, perennial
• 2-3 foot tall clumps
• Blue-Green foliage turns copper-red in the fall
• Erosion control plantings
• 250 Seeds per packet 

Instructions -Seeds can also be directly sown into a weed-free seedbed in May or June as they germinate in warm weather. You can seed earlier or later, but do make sure it is with the compansions or oats to provide cover and prevent weeds from growing.  Not recommended for heavy clay. 

Alternatively Start Indoors late winter to early spring

• Sow 1/2" deep
• Germination 14-20 days
• Thin 24" apart

Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability