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Little Bluestem earns its place as one of our most-loved native grasses with its four seasons of varied interest and unmatched wildlife value. Its mound of attractive green shoots in the spring give way to a shock of upright, uniquely blue-green foliage in the summer. Atop these come fluffy white seed heads in late summer that catch the sunlight as they sway in the breeze. The leaves turn a striking coppery-red color after the first frost and this color persists through the winter along with the plant’s upright form and stature, making it a visual focal-point through the cold months.
A keystone species of the prairie, Little Bluestem plays larval host to numerous types of butterflies and attracts a multitude of insects that feed on its lush foliage including grasshoppers, walking sticks, beetles and spittlebugs. Its seeds are a food source for birds and small mammals and its stems provide overwintering habitat for countless insects, notably the queen bumble bee. Its deep root system makes it drought-tolerant and suitable for erosion control.
Sun: Full, Partial
Soil: Medium, Medium-Dry, Dry
Bloom Time: July, August, September, October
Height: 3 ft
