Potted ornamental grass with long thin green leaves, some purple-tinged stems, outdoors. Close-up of a clump of grassy ornamental plant in a black pot on a yard scene. Tall grassy leaves in a pot, outdoor garden with a dirt path in the background. Green and purple grass-like plant in a nursery pot, sunlight on blades. A tuft of ornamental grass in a pot, likely Miscanthus or similar, in a garden setting.

Clump of tall green ornamental grass with narrow blade-like leaves arching outward in a sunny garden bed

Clump of ornamental grass with long, arching green leaves in a sunny garden setting.

Tall ornamental grass in a black nursery pot on bare soil in a sunny yard, with a white plant tag hanging from the pot

Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass

Blue Summer Foliage
Copper Fall Color
Native Meadow Texture

Our Guarantee Customer Reviews

#2 Container

$20.00

269 in stock

Size

Clear

Add installation for only _ per item!

$20.00

The Grasshopper Guarantee

We guarantee that your plants and trees will arrive happy and healthy. If you’re not satisfied after receiving your trees and plants, we’ll replace them at no cost to you. Trees and plants are living organisms and require care, maintenance, and protection to survive, root in, and establish properly. Trees that do not survive despite receiving the proper care, maintenance, and protection within the first year will be considered for a one-time replacement. If you purchased plants outside of your growing zone recommendation, or have not properly cared for your new plants as described in your welcome letter, your purchase won’t be covered by our Grasshopper guarantee.
FREE Local Delivery

Grasshopper Gardens offers free home delivery to customers in our local service areas. Experience the convenience of having your plants delivered straight to your home, free of charge, saving you time and effort.

Our local delivery area reaches as far north as Schroon Lake, south to Voorheesville, Glenmont, and East Greenbush areas, parts of Fulton and Montgomery counties, much of Washington County, and all areas in between. If you have questions on local delivery, give us a call at

518-793-9623.
In Stock
518-793-9623

Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass

Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass is a native ornamental grass valued for upright powdery blue foliage, fine texture, and warm copper-orange fall color. This clump-forming perennial brings movement, structure, and four-season interest to sunny borders, meadow gardens, slopes, and naturalized plantings.

Why choose Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass?

Choose Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass for its distinctive blue summer blades, tidy upright habit, and graceful transition into glowing autumn color. This warm-season grass is especially useful in sunny landscapes that need texture without heavy maintenance. Its fine foliage contrasts beautifully with coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, sedums, and other prairie-style perennials, while its seed heads add soft winter presence and wildlife-friendly cover.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Prairie Blues’
Common Name: Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass
Plant Type: Perennial ornamental grass
Growth Habit: Upright, clump-forming warm-season bunchgrass

Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass Additional Information

Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass emerges in spring as a neat clump of narrow blades, then develops its signature cool blue to blue-green foliage through summer. In late summer, slender flowering stems rise above the foliage with delicate seed heads that catch light and add motion in the landscape. As temperatures cool, the plant shifts into copper, orange, bronze, and reddish tones, creating strong fall interest.

This grass is deciduous, with dried stems and seed heads often remaining attractive through winter. Leave the foliage standing for seasonal texture, bird cover, and winter structure, then cut it back in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Use it in masses, mixed perennial borders, native gardens, erosion-conscious slope plantings, and meadow-inspired designs where upright texture and seasonal color are desired.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant Pennsylvania Sedge Grass in partial shade to full shade with average, well-drained soil. Loosen the planting area, set the crown level with the soil surface, and water thoroughly after planting to settle roots.

2. Watering: Provide consistent moisture during the first growing season while plants establish. Once rooted, it adapts well to dry shade, though occasional watering during extended drought helps maintain a fuller, greener appearance.

3. Spacing: Space plants about 12 to 18 inches apart for groundcover use. Closer spacing creates faster coverage, while wider spacing gives each clump more room to spread naturally by rhizomes.

4. Pruning: Refresh plants in late winter or early spring by lightly trimming, raking, or combing out tired foliage before new growth begins. Established plantings may also be mowed high once in early spring for a uniform look.

Related Resources

FAQs

How tall does Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass get?
Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass typically grows about 2 to 4 feet tall when in flower, with a narrower clumping spread. Site conditions, soil fertility, and moisture can influence final size.
Does Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass need full sun?
Yes. Full sun produces the strongest upright growth, best blue foliage color, and most reliable fall tones. It can handle light shade, but color and form are usually best in open sun.
When does Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass bloom?
It typically blooms in late summer, producing fine, airy seed heads that remain ornamental into fall and often through winter if left standing.

Shipping Details

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Full Sun
Lush Foliage
Seasonal

Mature Height	Medium: Up to 4 ft
Mature Spread	0-5 ft
Growth Rate	Moderate
Botanical Name	Schizachyrium scoparium
Bloom Time	Early Fall, Late Summer
Deer Resistant	Usually
Family	Poaceae
Flower Color	Blue/Purple
Hardiness Zones	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Maintenance	Low
Light Needs	Full Sun
Size	#2 Container

Green map of the United States with state boundaries outlined in black, all states shaded in green, on a white background.

Growing Zones 3-9 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -40)

Compare Similar Products

Name	Hameln Dwarf Fountain Grass	Red Switchgrass ‘Shenandoah’	Fanal Astilbe	Blue Cadet Hosta	Wisteria Summer Cascade	Heavy Metal Grass
Rating
Mature Height	Medium: Up to 4 ft	Medium: Up to 4 ft	Small: Up to 2 ft	Small: Up to 2 ft	Medium: Up to 30 ft	Large: Up to 6 ft
Mature Spread	0-5 ft	0-5 ft	0-5 ft	0-5 ft	10-20 ft	0-5 ft
Growth Rate	Fast, Moderate	Fast	Moderate	Moderate, Slow	Fast	Fast, Moderate
Bloom Time	Mid Summer	Mid Summer	Early Summer	Late Summer, Mid Summer	Late Spring	Late Summer, Mid Summer
Family	Pennisetum	Pennisetum	Saxifragaceae	Asparagaceae	Fabaceae	Poaceae
Flower Color	Pink, White	Pink, Red	Red	Blue/Purple	Blue/Purple	Pink
Deer Resistant	Usually	Usually	Usually	No	Usually	Usually
Hardiness Zones	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8	4, 5, 6, 7, 8	5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Needs	Full Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun, Partial Sun	Full Sun, Partial Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun
Maintenance	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low