Most of what you see is the plume.		Grass color varies from green to blue to red.

Plume Picture

Botanical Name: Schizachyrium scoparium

Family: Poaceae (Grass)

Common Name: Little Bluestem, Prairie Beard Grass

Latin: Schizachyrium (skits-ah-KEER-ee-um) scoparium (skoh-PAIR-ee-um)

Description: A native, strictly clumping, prairie grass. The bottom shoots are bluish colored, thus the common name, Little Bluestem. Most of the height of the plant is made up by the plumes, which appear in late summer. The ripening seed heads have a fluffy, feathery appearance and look beautiful with a bronze to copper fall color. Little Bluestem is effective in masses or naturalized. Most characteristic grass of the American tall grass prairie. DO NOT MULCH!

Zone: 3a

Origin: North America from Canada to Florida, east to Utah, in prairies and open woods

Leaf Blade (wxl): 3/16 x 6

Foliage (wxh): 24 x 16, Arching - Arches up and out proportionally (bush-like)

Plume (hxlxw): 39 x x , Arching - Plume ascends up and out in somewhat equal proportion

Sun: Full Sun, Full Sun for Maximum Performance

Moisture: Well drained soil required, average to very dry, suffers if excessively wet or mulched

Foliage Color - Summer: Burgundy/Red 10% Fall: Burgundy/Red 10% Winter: Tan/Light Brown

Space: 2-3'

Texture:

Habit: Rigidly erect to lax and arching