This is a medium-sized grass with true blue leaves in summer. Flower spikes grow above the foliage in July and last into winter. This stunning ornamental grass has leaves that change to russet-red in the autumn. This is best planted in well-drained soils in full sun; planting little bluestem in excessively moist and fertile soils will cause the flower stems to fall over rather than stand erect through the winter.
Little bluestem is a good choice for dry gardens or as a transition from a formal to natural area. It can be backlit to provide dramatic shadows in the evening garden. Plant it in mass or next to plants with contrasting foliage or flowers (red or orange) for the most impact in the garden or blend with other silver and blue-foliaged plants to create a completely different look.
Zones 3 - 9
