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Home · Texas · Little Bluestem

Grass · Deer-resistant

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

Also called: Beard Grass

The backbone grass of the American prairie, turning coppery-mahogany in fall and silver-tufted in winter. A larval host for several skipper butterflies.

Growing & care

Full sun keeps it upright; too much shade or water makes it flop. Cut back in late winter. Thrives in poor, dry soil — no fertilizer.

Bloom season

J
F
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A
M
J
J
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D

In bloom: Aug–Oct · Colors: bronze, copper

Where to buy

Look for little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) at: Prairie Moon Nursery, native Texas nurseries, Eden Brothers seed.

Buying nursery-propagated natives — never collected from the wild — keeps wild populations intact. Ask any seller where their stock comes from.

Good for