Focus on a Native

Little Bluestem Grass

by CMG Betty J

Annually, The Perennial Association awards one plant the title of Perennial Plant of the Year. The PPY for 2022 is Little Bluestem Grass, Schizachryium scoparium var. scoparium. This common grass is found throughout Texas and is often the dominant species in prairies, dry hillsides and along forest borders. It grows at most elevations and prefers well-drained loams and clay soils.

Little Bluestem is an important forage plant for cattle and provides seed and forage for birds and small mammals. Birds often use parts of the grass for nest material and it is the host plant for Wood-nymph, Leonard’s Skipper, and Swarthy Skipper butterfly larvae. In the residential garden, it provides a variety of textures and colors throughout the year as the stems turn from blue-green to copper color.

This native bunch grass grows from 24 to 36 inches tall and has flattened stems and sheaths. The root system is very dense and may grow down as far as eight feet, making it an important soil stabilizer. The colorful leaves and stems change to brown as they mature. At maturity, the plant sports a small, fuzzy seed head of twisted awns (small hair-like projections at the end of a spikelet).

Little Bluestem Seed Heads

Little Bluestem Bunch in Autumn

Little Bluestem in Summer