Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a versatile native grass, celebrated for its striking blue-green foliage that transforms into coppery-red and orange hues in autumn, persisting through winter. Companion planting involves strategically pairing different plant species to foster a mutually beneficial environment, enhancing the overall health and aesthetic appeal of your landscape.
Why Companion Plant with Little Bluestem
Companion planting with Little Bluestem enhances biodiversity, creating a resilient and vibrant garden. It also improves soil health through diverse root systems. Many companions provide essential habitat and food for pollinators and other wildlife. Varied bloom times extend seasonal interest. This creates visually appealing landscapes that mimic natural plant communities.
Key Considerations for Companion Plants
Selecting appropriate companion plants for Little Bluestem requires careful consideration of their environmental preferences. Little Bluestem thrives in full sun (at least six hours daily), a requirement its companions must share. It also prefers well-drained, lean soil, tolerating various conditions including infertility and clay. Plants needing rich, moist soils or frequent watering are unsuitable. Once established, Little Bluestem is highly drought-tolerant; companions should have similar low water needs for mutual success. Consider growth habits like height and spread to prevent overshadowing or aggressive competition.
Top Companion Plant Choices
Several species effectively complement Little Bluestem, sharing growing conditions and offering diverse textures and colors.
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Coneflower (Echinacea) is popular for its vibrant purple-pink blooms from mid-summer into fall. These daisy-like flowers attract pollinators. Its sturdy, upright form contrasts nicely with the grass’s fine texture.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) offers cheerful yellow blooms with dark centers from early summer until frost. This low-maintenance perennial creates a vibrant contrast with the grass, and its seed heads provide winter interest and food for birds.
Liatris (Blazing Star)
Liatris (Blazing Star) provides a strong vertical element with spiky purple flowers blooming in late summer. Species like Liatris spicata attract monarch butterflies and other pollinators. Its upright form can also support other plants.
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), with aromatic foliage and unique lavender-pink flowers, attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Its deer resistance is an added benefit. Monarda prefers full sun to partial shade and tolerates dry to average moisture levels.
Amsonia (Blue Star)
Amsonia, or Blue Star, offers three seasons of interest: delicate blue, star-shaped flowers in late spring to early summer, and brilliant yellow fall foliage. Species like Amsonia hubrichtii provide a fine, airy texture that contrasts beautifully with Little Bluestem, creating a natural prairie aesthetic.
Native Sedges (Carex spp.)
Native sedges (Carex spp.) offer added texture and ground cover, contributing to a short grassland feel.
Side-oats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula)
Side-oats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), another warm-season grass, is compact and low-growing. Its bluish foliage and unique oat-like seed heads provide visual interest, habitat, and winter interest.
Designing Your Little Bluestem Garden
Thoughtful design enhances the visual impact and ecological function. Space plants appropriately, allowing each to reach mature size without overcrowding. Layering plants, with taller specimens like Little Bluestem or Liatris in the back and shorter plants in front, creates depth and visual interest. Incorporate a variety of textures and colors, such as Little Bluestem’s fine blades alongside coneflower’s broad leaves, for dynamic appeal. Plan for continuous bloom times to ensure the garden remains attractive throughout the growing season. Embrace a naturalistic style, reflective of native prairie landscapes, to complement Little Bluestem’s beauty.
Ongoing Care for Your Companion Planting
Maintaining a garden with Little Bluestem and its companions is generally low-effort once established. Little Bluestem requires minimal watering after its first growing season, relying on natural rainfall. Occasional weeding may be necessary during establishment to prevent competition. Leaving plant stalks and seed heads standing through winter provides essential habitat and food for wildlife, including overwintering insects and birds, and offers continued visual interest. Cut back old foliage in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.