Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a native perennial grass valued for its adaptability and striking visual qualities. This warm-season grass features slender, blue-green foliage that turns copper, orange, and deep red in the fall, persisting through winter. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it a sustainable choice for many environments. Understanding its growth patterns is key to successful cultivation.
Understanding the Clumping Growth Habit
Little Bluestem is classified as a “bunchgrass,” meaning its primary method of increasing size is through the slow, contained growth of its existing mass. Individual plants expand outward by continuously producing new shoots (tillers) from the base of the crown. This results in a dense, upright clump that widens gradually over time.
Unlike aggressive spreading grasses, Schizachyrium scoparium does not rely on extensive underground runners (rhizomes) to spread. While some ecotypes may develop short rhizomes, the plant’s spread is slow and non-invasive in a cultivated setting. This clumping habit keeps the plant contained, typically reaching 1.5 to 2 feet in diameter before requiring intervention.
How Little Bluestem Spreads Through Seed
The secondary method of spread is through self-seeding, which allows the plant to appear in new locations. In late summer and fall, the grass produces fluffy, silvery-white seed heads that add texture to the winter garden. These seeds are light and dispersed by wind, usually traveling only a few feet from the parent plant.
The seeds require contact with disturbed or bare soil to germinate effectively; a thick layer of mulch or turf will suppress new seedlings. While reseeding potential exists, volunteer plants are usually manageable in a maintained garden environment. Germination success is variable, depending on local climate and the availability of open, moist soil.
Controlling or Encouraging Little Bluestem Spread
Gardeners wishing to limit expansion should focus on preventing the seeds from maturing and dispersing. The simplest control method is deadheading, which involves removing the seed heads in late fall or early winter before they scatter. Removing the seed heads eliminates the chance of unwanted seedlings establishing in the spring.
To maintain the vigor and size of an existing clump, division is recommended every three to five years, especially when the center shows signs of die-out. This technique involves lifting the entire clump in early spring or fall and dividing it with a sharp spade. These smaller, transplanted sections can be replanted elsewhere, creating new, contained clumps.
Encouraging the spread of Little Bluestem is accomplished by allowing the seeds to remain on the plant throughout the winter. To establish a new patch, manually scatter collected seeds onto prepared, disturbed soil in late fall or early spring. Pressing the seeds firmly into the soil ensures good seed-to-soil contact and increases the chances of successful germination.