Schizachyrium scoparium 'Prairie Blues'
blue stem 'Prairie Blues'
Densely-tufted, deciduous, perennial grass about 1m tall, producing an upright mound of narrow, arching, grey to blue-green leaves. Upright, silvery blue-green flowers in racemes of wispy spikelets, appear in late summer and early autumn. The whole plant turns red, orange and copper colours in autumn
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Grey Silver Blue | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green Grey Silver | Grey Silver Blue | ||
Autumn | Brown Orange Red | Bronze Orange Red | ||
Winter | Brown Orange | Brown Orange |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Poaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Schizachrium are deciduous, perennial grasses with flat, linear leaves, upright growth and narrowly-branched flower sprays
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in sharply drained soil in full sun. See ornamental grasses cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Prairie planting
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut down old stems and leaves in late winter
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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