Little Bluestem Grass 'The Blues'

About this plant

Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues', commonly known as Little Bluestem Grass 'The Blues', is a truly exceptional native ornamental grass that brings year-round interest and natural elegance to any landscape. Its slender, upright habit forms a graceful, columnar clump, perfect for adding verticality and fine texture to borders, rock gardens, or meadows. From spring through summer, its distinctive blue-green blades shimmer in the sunlight, creating a cool, refreshing aesthetic. As autumn approaches, this cultivar truly shines, transforming into a breathtaking display of coppery-orange, russet, and deep purple hues that persist well into winter, offering crucial architectural interest during the colder months. Beyond its striking beauty, 'The Blues' is an incredibly tough and adaptable grass, thriving in a wide range of conditions once established. It's an essential component for sustainable landscapes, contributing to biodiversity and requiring minimal maintenance.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Easily grown in average to poor, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Avoid overly rich or consistently moist soils, which can cause plants to flop. Tolerant of drought, heat, and humidity. Cut back old foliage in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.