Little Bluestem Grass Seed - Schizachyrium scoparium
Little Bluestem Grass Seed - Schizachyrium scoparium - 1 Packet is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Little Bluestem is a landscaping favorite, transforming spaces with its elegant blue-green foliage that shifts to brilliant copper-red hues each fall. These spectacular seasonal displays persist through winter for year-round interest. This foundational prairie grass also serves as a critical larval host for nine native skipper butterfly species, including the Dakota skipper and Leonard's skipper, making it essential for supporting specialized butterfly populations that depend on native grasses for survival.
This versatile warm-season bunchgrass reaches 2-5 feet in height and establishes deep root systems that can extend 6-8 feet underground. This beauty also provides exceptional drought tolerance and soil stabilization across zones 3-9.
Cold stratification improves germination, so follow your packet to get this low-maintenance grass started. Little Bluestem thrives in diverse soil types, from sandy to clay. Once established, it forms attractive clumps that spread slowly, creating natural texture and movement while requiring very little maintenance. It's also known for excellent deer resistance.
Perfect for prairie restorations, erosion control, naturalized borders, and wildlife habitat projects, this cornerstone species offers multiple ecological benefits including soil retention, carbon sequestration, fire resistance, and winter seed production for songbirds. Create authentic prairie landscapes while supporting specialized butterfly species with this lovely North American native grass.
- Essential Butterfly Habitat - Little Bluestem serves as larval host for nine native skipper species including Dakota, Leonard's, and Ottoe skippers found nowhere else
- Stunning Seasonal Transformation - Transitions from fine blue-green summer foliage to brilliant copper-red fall color for year round interest, even in winter
- Deep-Rooted Prairie Grass - A foundation plant that develops extensive 6-8 foot root systems for exceptional drought tolerance and natural erosion control
- Remarkably Adaptable - This warm-season bunchgrass thrives in sandy, loam, or clay soils. Deer resistant and fire resilient, growing naturally in zones 3-9
- Multi-Season Wildlife Support - Produces winter seeds for songbirds while providing year-round cover and nesting habitat
Little Bluestem Grass Seed - Schizachyrium scoparium
Heirloom Native Plant Seeds
All of our seeds are open-pollinated, non-GMO, heirloom varieties with tested germination rates
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Support Native Habitats
- Supports Local Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Native plants are uniquely adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, forming the foundation of healthy ecosystems. They provide essential food, shelter, and breeding grounds for a wide array of native wildlife, including pollinators like bees and butterflies, birds, and beneficial insects, which helps to maintain and enhance local biodiversity.
- Requires Less Maintenance and Resources: Once established, native plants typically require significantly less water, fertilizer, and pesticides compared to non-native ornamental plants. Their deep root systems improve soil health and water penetration, reducing runoff and erosion, and their natural resistance to local pests and diseases minimizes the need for chemical interventions, saving time, money, and environmental impact.
- Contributes to Climate Resiliency and Conservation: By supporting a healthy native plant community, you are helping to create more resilient landscapes that can better withstand the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events. Growing native plants also plays a crucial role in conserving local plant genetics, preserving the natural heritage of a region, and providing critical habitat corridors for wildlife facing habitat loss.
- Detailed Growing Information: Paper seed packets include clear planting instructions, germination tips, and seed-saving info, great for beginner or experienced gardeners growing vegetables, herbs, flowers, or native plants.
- Trusted USA Seed Company: Family-owned business providing heirloom, non-GMO, open-pollinated seeds; always fresh, untreated, rigorously tested, and expertly packed for long-term storage and gardening success across all experience levels
Frequently Asked Questions
What are heirloom seeds?
What are heirloom seeds?
Heirloom seeds are the types of seeds your grandparents grew. These varieties have been passed down from generation to generation. They’re old reliable open-pollinated varieties that aren’t typically grown commercially. Instead, they have a rich history that predates modern breeding techniques.
You can learn more about open-pollinated, heirloom, and non-GMO seeds in our Survival Garden Training blog.
Where are Survival Garden Seeds sourced?
Where are Survival Garden Seeds sourced?
The majority of our seeds are sourced in the United States, with a few exceptions when the seed is difficult to source domestically. Whenever we do have to source outside of the US, we ensure our seeds are safe to grow, non-GMO varieties that meet our standards for germination and reliability.
Are your seeds treated?
Are your seeds treated?
No, we do not pre-treat our farmer seeds. All of our garden seeds for sale are untreated, open-pollinated, non-GMO, and heirloom varieties. They are kept in temperature-controlled cooler storage until they are packed and shipped to keep them pest and disease-free.
In what zones can I grow your seeds?
In what zones can I grow your seeds?
The seeds in our collections are specifically chosen from varieties that can be successfully grown from Zone 3 to Zone 10 USDA Hardiness Zones. However, individual varieties have specific needs to thrive in different environments. Each seed pack has optimal temperatures for germination and instructions on seed starting. Consult local frost dates to plan your garden and get the most out of your seeds.
What is the shelf life of these gardening seeds?
What is the shelf life of these gardening seeds?
Our seeds will generally last for 3-10 years if they are appropriately stored in a cool, dry place. However, we encourage you to grow your survival seeds within a year or two of purchase. This yields the best germination rates possible and also gives you more experience growing survival food now. At the end of the growing season, follow the instructions on the back of each packet for saving seeds for future gardens. These new seeds for survival will be more adapted to thrive in the growing conditions where you are.
