Perennials · 2 varieties
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)
The prairie's blue-green grass that turns copper-red for fall and feeds the songbirds.
- Light
- Full sun
- Height
- 24–36″ varies by variety
- Spread
- 18–20″
- Hardiness
- Zones 3–8 hardy here
- Blooms
- Jul–Oct
- Deer
- Usually left alone
- Containers
- Best in the ground
- Native
- Minnesota native the straight species; Chameleon is a garden cultivar
- Pets
- Not on the ASPCA list ask us
Hardiness & bloom: Chameleon rated 3a–8b.
Height varies a lot between varieties here — anywhere from 24″ to 36″. Check the tag, or ask us which one suits the spot you have in mind.
Carries height — the thriller at the center of a pot or the back of a bed.
The 2 Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) varieties we grow
Every variety we grow. Photos are going up through the season. Tap the on any variety to save it to your list. Availability changes daily — call (763) 742-8774 for what’s on the bench today.
Variety by variety
East Bethel and the north metro are zone 4; Minneapolis and St. Paul are zone 5. Green comes back in both; yellow comes back in zone 5.
| Variety | Hardiness | Blooms | Size & sun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chameleonburgundy plumes with red overtones | HardinessHardy to zone 4comes back everywhere we deliver | Blooms Sep–Oct | Size 30–36″ × 20″ Sun to part shade · deer usually leave it alone |
| Straight Speciespurplish flower spikes | HardinessHardy to zone 3comes back everywhere we deliver | Blooms Aug | Size 24–32″ × 18″ Sun to part shade · deer usually leave it alone |
More perennials
Read next
- Minnesota native plants we grow
- Deer- and rabbit-resistant perennials
- Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Grown chemical-free in our own seven greenhouses in East Bethel — not trucked in. Come see it in person, or use the plant picker to find what suits your spot.