Little Bluestem
Little Bluestem
Little Bluestem is a true Minnesota native — a tough prairie grass that brings authentic regional character to Plymouth, Minnetonka, and Edina landscapes with blue summer foliage and brilliant copper-red fall color.
About Little Bluestem
| Botanical Name | Schizachyrium scoparium |
| Mature Size | 2-4ft tall × 1.5-2ft wide |
| Bloom / Foliage | Silvery seed plumes Aug-Oct; red-bronze fall foliage |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun (6+ hrs) for most ornamental grasses. A few (Blue Moor Grass) tolerate light shade. |
| Water Needs | Low. Drought-tolerant once established — average MN rainfall is plenty. |
| Soil | Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam. Adapts to most well-drained soils. |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a). Reliable to -40°F for most native grass cultivars. |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed — ornamental grasses are one of the most deer-proof plant categories |
| Foliage | Deciduous — grass blades emerge in spring, mature through summer, hold form (often with golden fall color) into winter |
| Growth Rate | Fast — reaches full size in one or two seasons |
Why You'll Love Little Bluestem
Winter structure
Ornamental grasses hold their golden form through Minnesota's five-month winter — one of the few things that look great against snow. Pair with red-twig dogwood for maximum winter impact.
Pollinator + bird habitat
Grass seed heads feed birds through fall and winter. Native bunchgrass clumps are critical nesting habitat for ground-dwelling pollinators.
Low-water plantings
Once established, ornamental grasses thrive on natural rainfall — no supplemental watering needed. Perfect for boulevard strips, dry slopes, and parking-area plantings.
Native Minnesota prairie grass with copper fall color
Native MN grass, drought-tough, supports wildlife. That's why Little Bluestem has earned a spot in our Minnesota launch catalog — it's a grass we're confident will thrive in your Twin Cities landscape.
Planting Little Bluestem in the Twin Cities
Best planting window: Spring (mid-April through early June) or early fall (late August through late September). Avoid planting during peak summer heat — Twin Cities heat waves can stress newly installed root balls.
Site selection: Full sun (6+ hrs) for most ornamental grasses. A few (Blue Moor Grass) tolerate light shade. Choose a location with the mature size of 2-4ft tall × 1.5-2ft wide in mind — give Little Bluestem room to fill out without crowding fences, sidewalks, or neighboring plants.
Soil prep: Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam. Adapts to most well-drained soils. If your Twin Cities yard has heavy clay (common in Plymouth, Eden Prairie, and Wayzata), amend the planting hole with 25-30% compost to improve drainage. For sandy soils in parts of Anoka and Washington counties, mix in compost to improve water retention.
How to plant:
- Dig a hole 2× the width of the root ball and the same depth.
- Loosen the sides of the hole — slick clay walls block root expansion.
- Set Little Bluestem so the top of the root ball is 1-2" above grade.
- Backfill with native soil mixed 25% with compost. Tamp gently.
- Water deeply (5+ gallons) immediately after planting.
- Mulch 2-3" deep, keeping mulch 2" away from the stem.
Watering & Care
First year (establishment): Water deeply 1-2× per week from April through October. Little Bluestem needs consistent moisture to develop a strong root system for its first Minnesota winter. Check soil moisture 4-6" deep — water when the top 2-3" feels dry.
Established (year 2+): Low. Drought-tolerant once established — average MN rainfall is plenty. During typical Twin Cities summers, supplemental water during 2+ week dry spells is enough.
Winter prep: Water deeply in late October before ground freeze — this protects Little Bluestem through dry winter winds. Apply a fresh 2-3" layer of mulch in November to insulate the root zone through deep freezes.
Pruning: Cut back to 4–6 inches in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Do NOT cut back in fall — the foliage provides winter interest and wildlife habitat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Little Bluestem hardy in Minnesota?
Yes. Little Bluestem is rated for zones 3-8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — the Twin Cities metro is zone 4b–5a, well within its hardiness range. Native MN grass, drought-tough, supports wildlife.
How fast does Little Bluestem grow?
Fast — reaches full size in one or two seasons. Expect mature size (2-4ft tall × 1.5-2ft wide) within 5-8 years depending on site conditions and care.
Will deer eat Little Bluestem?
Rarely browsed — ornamental grasses are one of the most deer-proof plant categories. In high-deer-pressure suburbs (Wayzata, Stillwater, Hudson), supplemental fencing or repellents may help young plants establish.
Can I plant Little Bluestem in part shade?
Full sun (6+ hrs) for most ornamental grasses. A few (Blue Moor Grass) tolerate light shade.
What size gallon should I buy?
We typically offer Little Bluestem in #2, #5, #10, and sometimes larger gallon sizes. Smaller sizes establish faster and cost less; larger sizes give instant impact. For most Twin Cities residential landscapes, #5 or #10 gallon is the sweet spot.
Where We Deliver
Three Timbers Minnesota delivers and installs Little Bluestem across the Twin Cities metro — Minneapolis, St. Paul, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Wayzata, Bloomington, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Lakeville, Eagan, Roseville, Shoreview, Stillwater, Woodbury, Hudson, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Chanhassen, Excelsior, Victoria, Chaska, and surrounding communities. Live Little Bluestem grown for our climate and delivered fresh from our Waconia, MN nursery.
How Many Little Bluestem Do I Need?
Little Bluestem forms upright clumps about 18–24 in wide, so space plants roughly 20 in on center for a connected prairie-style mass, or set single accents 30 in apart. For a flowing drift:
| Run length | 5 ft | 10 ft | 15 ft | 20 ft |
| Plants (20 in o.c.) | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 |
Little Bluestem Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Blue-green blades push up from the crown, slowly filling into a fine-textured fountain.
- Summer: Steely blue upright foliage holds its color through heat and drought with no supplemental water.
- Fall: The whole clump turns brilliant copper-red and orange, lit up by silvery seed plumes that catch low autumn light.
- Winter: Bronze foliage and seed heads stand tall against the snow, feeding birds and adding structure all season.
At a Glance
✔ Minnesota Native ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant ✔ Salt-Tolerant ✔ Four-Season Interest
Plant It With
- Sombrero Granada Gold Coneflower — golden daisies weave through the blue blades and feed the same birds all winter.
- Little Moonshine Yarrow — a low silver-and-yellow skirt at the base of the upright grass.
- Autumn Fire Sedum — rusty fall flower heads echo the grass’s copper tones and share its dry, lean-soil love.
- Blue Fortune Hyssop — lavender-blue spikes add vertical pollinator color in the same full-sun bed.
Is Little Bluestem Right for Your Yard?
This native bunchgrass thrives in full sun and well-drained soil — boulevard strips, dry slopes, and lean prairie-style beds are ideal, and it shrugs off drought, road salt, and deer once established. Not a fit if your spot stays wet or shaded, where the clumps flop open and lose their tight upright form.