Description
Schizachryrium scoparium ‘Blaze’ Little Bluestem native grass Seeds, sold by weight 1g (about 600 seeds)
‘Blaze’ Little Bluestem grass is grown for its exceptional fall color.
It is an ornamental grass that mixes in well with flowering perennials.
‘Blaze’ is a little bluestem cultivar that is noted for its vivid red fall foliage.
‘Blaze’ grass blades turn deep red in the fall maturing to a pink winter color.
Drought resistant perennial North American native grass. Zones 3 – 9
‘Blaze’ typically grows from seed in an erect, broom-like clump to 24-26” tall and 15” wide.
‘Blaze’ has slender, flat, linear leaves (1/4” wide).
‘Blaze’ has visual interest throughout the seasons:
- ‘Blaze’ leaves emerge light blue in spring, darken to gray-green in summer. The plant family common name ‘bluestem’ is in reference to the lavender-blue color on the stem bases.
- Then in late summer, the leaves acquire purple highlights, before exploding into a blaze of fall color consisting of intense shades of pinkish-orange to reddish-purple to vivid red.
- ‘Blaze’ foliage typically retains some color throughout winter.
‘Blaze’ flower stems rise higher than the foliage clump bearing small reddish-brown flowers in July-August.
These flowers give way to seed heads fringed with showy, silvery-white hairs. Seed heads may persist into winter.
Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Easy to grow.
Garden Uses: Ornamental grass for borders, cottage gardens, wild gardens, wood margins, meadows or prairie-like settings. Group or mass. A good low-maintenance selection for sun-baked areas.
Landscape Features: Spectacular fall color, foliage turns brilliantly orange-red in the fall, native and ornamental, requires no fertilizer in the landscape (prefers poor soil), beautiful when massed in groups, will remain upright when planted in full sun, fine-textured foliage adds texture and interest, low-maintenance plant, cold hardy to Zone 3. Easy to grow.
Plant Type: Ornamental grass
Zone: 3 to 9
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 1.5 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: August to February
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Leaf: Good Fall Color
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerates: Deer, Drought, Erosion, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil, Black Walnut, Air Pollution
Culture: Easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Tolerates clay soils. Performs well in poor soils. Good drought resistance once established. Tolerates high heat and humidity. Cut to the ground in late winter to early spring.
Seed Germination: Seed can be sown outdoors in the Fall or can be planted outdoors or in the greenhouse in the Spring. Germination is often low, but the seedlings are vigorous.
A single fine leaf blade emerges at germination and additional leaves typically appear within the next 14 days. After plants develop 2 or 3 sets of true leaves, they can be separated. Growth rate is medium. Grow in well-drained soil. Keep moist, but on the drier side. Use a slow release, low-medium rate fertilizer. Avoid over watering and over fertilizing as this can cause flopping and weak tissues that can lead to disease.
While germination can occur without any pre-treatment, one study found that the best germination rate was with the following treatment: cold/moist stratification for 1-2 months followed by higher temperature (75˚F and up) when the daylight is at least 8-hours, with the seeds sown on the surface of the potting mix.
Growth of seedlings: If conditions are favorable, the seedlings will begin to send up shoots from the root very soon, and, by the end of the summer, will send up a few flowering stalks. (If grown in a container, the seeding can grow to fill-out a 1-2 gallon pot.)
Under less favorable conditions, the vegetative growth may be limited for a year or two as the plant establishes its root system. One study reported that the roots of seedlings grew in the ground to a depth of 2 feet or more.
Schizachryrium scoparium ‘Blaze’ Little Bluestem native grass Seeds, sold by weight 1g (about 600 seeds), packed for 2019, tested germination, laboratory conditions 50%