Schizachyrium scoparium, Little Bluestem

Little Bluestem, late June

A warm-season grass, Little Bluestem arrives on the scene somewhat later than you might expect. But once it does, it begins to steal the show. Each individual clump can be green or blue-gray-green. Looks great with orange Butterflyweed, above, and magenta Liatris aspera. 

By August, Little Bluestem sends stalks with wispy inflorescence rising above the foliage. As the season winds down and the temperatures dip, the stalks and leaves shift to a subtly complex display of burgundy, rose, lavender, russet and ochre. It can be absolutely stunning. 

I do not grow cultivars of Little Bluestem, such as "Blue Heaven," but I can get them in #1 pots, rather easily, if the more upright grass blades are what you must have.

Blooms: purple with tawny seeds, mid-summer into winter

Height: 24 to 32 inches

Conditions: sun, pt sun to pt shade,  medium to dry soils

Little Bluestem form, midsummer.

The colors of Little Bluestem, autumn.