Why Plant The Blues Little Bluestem?
Having the blues never felt so good! The Blues Little Bluestem will make beautiful music in your landscape. In spring, the intro sets the tone… cool blue blades arise, making a sharply vertical impression. Planted in masse in your garden, this upright element creates a sense of rhythm. In early fall, the foliage strikes a new chord when it changes from sky-blue to raspberry-red. At the same time, wispy white flower plumes appear like high notes in a sweet melody. It’s a performance you’ll enjoy year after year, and you’ll have the best seat in the house!
Little Bluestem belongs to the rich natural heritage of North America. This adaptable Fringe is native to southern Canada from Alberta to Quebec and to virtually all of the continental U.S. except for the West Coast. Its strongest association, however, is with the prairies. It once stood shoulder-to-shoulder with other grasses and wildflowers in the vast tallgrass prairies that covered our nation’s heartland. On the southern plains, this plant had a special purpose for the Kiowa-Apache. It was gathered together to make switches used for driving the evil spirits out of people during sweat lodge ceremonies. The Blues Little Bluestem was introduced by Maryland nurseryman Kurt Bluemel.
How to use The Blues Little Bluestem in the landscape?
Butterflies! When you think of butterfly-attracting plants, grasses may not have a place on that list, but The Blues Little Bluestem actually makes a worthy addition to your butterfly garden. It serves as a host plant for several species of small skipper butterflies.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
How To Plant The Blues Little Bluestem
The Blues Little Bluestem responds well to tough love. Give it baking sun, fast-draining soil, little to no fertilizer, and little to no supplemental water once established. Take care to keep mulch away from the crown of the plant as well. This strict regimen will encourage strong, compact, self-supporting growth. More lush conditions will make this grass flop!
How To Water
Water The Blues Little Bluestem consistently when freshly planted as this will allow it to develop a deep root system. After it becomes established, it has great drought tolerance.
How To Fertilize
The Blues Little Bluestem don't require much in terms of fertilization. Fertilize when freshly planted with the Bower & Branch Starter Plant Food, but you won't need to apply again!
How To Prune
Leave seed heads standing for winter interest and to feed the birds. In early spring, shear the stems back to a few inches from the ground to make way for new blue blades to emerge. Divide the clumps every two to three years to prevent overcrowding.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
