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Environmental Horticulture Dept. University of Florida
Poaceae
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blaze'
Little Bluestem
This selection of Little Bluestem, ‘Blaze’ is a clump-forming, warm-season, deciduous grass with unusually vivid autumn color. The parent species is native to central and eastern North America. Its narrow, dense, upright, blue-green leaves turn vivid red-orange in fall and then fade to bronzy-pink in winter. In late summer, tall, hazy panicles of flowers mature into silvery seedheads which provide interest through fall and winter. The plant is a larval food source for many skipper butterflies and the seeds are enjoyed by a variety of smaller songbirds.
Grow ‘Blaze’ in full sun in humus-rich, well-drained soil, and shear the plant to the ground in late winter before new leaves start to rise. Avoid locations that have heavy or waterlogged soil. This perennial grass is ideal for naturalizing, wildflower gardens, and rough lawns. Its tendency to reseed to the point of weediness keeps it off limits in small gardens
7 - 1
2 - 7
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Grass
Full Sun
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m
Summer, Late Summer
North America, United States, Canada
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Average
Loam, Sand
Drought
Fast
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
Upright/Erect
Summer, Fall, Winter
Insignificant
Purple, Bronze
White, Sandy Brown, Silver
Blue Green
Orange Red
No
Single
Yes
Fine
Matte
Cutflower, Dried Flower/Everlasting, Groundcover, Mixed Border, Wildflower
Birds, Butterflies
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